MOMBASA TO KIKUYU. 17 



the banana often growing up to the level of about 

 6,200 feet. 



These Wakamba, who number probably a million, 

 can make rough pottery and work native iron. 

 They can also manufacture bags from Sanseviera 

 fibre. Any number can be got to work for two 

 rupees a week. 



They grow during the rains two crops of maize, 

 millet, and other cereals ; and, in the same year 

 after the rains are over, obtain two further crops 

 of sweet potatoes. 



Here I was, as usual, kindly treated by Mr. 

 Ainsworth, and rested a few days for Mr. Watt's 

 party, with whom I went on to Kikuyu. Mrs. 

 Watt and her five little children were most 

 plucky in coming to settle so far from any 

 human habitation. 



From Languru to the beginning of the Kikuyu 

 bush is a very gradual ascent, and forms the 

 well-known Athi plains. The abundance of game 

 is still extraordinary, in spite of the amount of 

 extermination which has been practised by certain 

 persons. A tale of 380 head in three months 

 fell to one " sportsman," which, considering that 

 a little antelope meat is a great blessing to the 

 caravans on this road, seems quite inexcusable. 



A curious feature is the abundance of the 

 Kongoni, or hartebeest, the most timid as well 

 as the ugliest of them all. This Kongoni, like 

 the gnus and the majority of antelopes which 



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