286 



CHAPTEE V 



TO KENIA 

 From August 27 to October 8, 1887 . 



The reputation of the Wakikuyu — Making our palisade — Antics of the Masai — 

 We open relations with the Wakikuyu — Making brotherhood — We cross the 

 frontier — Shauri to welcome us — Kutire himandaja — An uncomfortable camp 

 — Our mode of travelling— A shauri about rain-making — Orioi muma — Diffi- 

 culties of marching in Kikuyuland — Our first fight — We make peace — A day 

 of rest — Eenewed hostilities— A fight amongst the Wakikuyu themselves — 

 False rumours — A dangerous brook-crossing — A second fight — March across 

 Kikuyuland — First sight of Kenia — Want of union amongst the Wakikuyu — 

 Our third fight — Abedi's tragic death — On the northern frontier — Our journey 

 in Kikuyuland over at last— March to Ndoro — General account of the Wa- 

 kikuyu and their land. 



Our camping-place at Ngongo Bagas was in a very pretty 

 neighbourhood, on the edge of a thick wood behind which 

 dwelt the dreaded people of Kiknyu, whilst on the south 

 stretched vast pastures tenanted by the great herds of cattle 

 belonging to the Masai. 



Here, in addition to many trading caravans, had camped the 

 English traveller Joseph Thomson, as well as the unfortunate 

 Bishop Hannington, who laid down his life for his faith in 

 Usoga. 



Ngongo Bagas is a regular oasis in the wilderness to 

 caravans. The food bought by them on their northern 

 journey to Kilimanjaro is always exhausted by the time they 

 get here, and but for the vicinity of Kikuyu with its wealth of 

 natural productions, they would have to send to Leikipia or 



