434 



ACROSS LEIKIPIA 



a time at two o'clock by a little reed-grown brook with turbid 

 slimy water to refresh ourselves with a bite and a sup, intend- 

 ing to press on again directly afterwards for the full flesh-pots 

 awaiting us but a short march away. 



As we were resting an old native appeared, whom Juma 

 Mussa engaged as guide. News was, of course, first exchanged ; 

 we had to say whence we came, and whither Ave were going ; 

 he to tell us where the camp of the Mzungu or white man was, 

 and what chance there might be of provisions. And when 

 Jumbe Kimemeta came up to me and hesitatingly whisjDered 

 6 Have you heard P ' I guessed at once that there was no good 

 news. It turned out that there was no food to be had in 

 either of the villages, as there had been a famine in Kamasia, 

 generally the granary of the whole neighbourhood, and 

 all the corn had been Ions; since consumed. The next 

 crops would not be ready for six or eight weeks. We learnt 

 further that the Count's camp was at Nyemps Mdogo, but that 

 he himself was absent somewhere on the east of Lake Baringo 

 hunting, to get food for his men. 



Our hopes were all dashed to the ground now, and there 

 was no longer any need to hurry on to Xyemps, especially as 

 the Count was away, so instead of the expected 4 Haya safari ! ' 

 (' Forwards ! ') came the order 6 Tua misigo na fanga kambi,' or 

 'Pitch the camp.' 



Goodness only knew how long we might have to remain in 

 this dreary dusty neighbourhood, and the only thing to be 

 thankful for was that we had been so careful of our cattle in 

 spite of all our men had said against our sparing it so long. 

 Even when Jumbe Kimemeta had wanted me to yield, I had 

 stood firm and not an animal had been killed. Owing to the 

 bad news received, one ox less than I should otherwise have 

 allowed was slaughtered, but to make up for this I brought 

 down a kobus antelope and a bustard towards sunset by some 



