V 



TRAVELS IN EASTERN AFRICA 



173 



could not have struck the casual observer as sufficiently 

 satisfactory to warrant its confident tone. The caravan 

 did not number sixty men, all told. Of this number 

 twelve were wounded, and all but twelve of the able- 

 bodied were heavily laden. Moreover, we were ham- 

 pered with the flocks and herds we had captured. 



From the little knoll on which we had taken our 

 stand Motio had pointed out to us, winding up the 

 side of the range and passing near the summit of the 

 highest peak, the road over which our route must lie. 

 This path was bright red in colour, and was distinctly 

 outlined by the verdure bordering thereon. Motio 

 assured us that between our position and the peak 

 the way was intersected by many deep ravines ; and 

 that shortly after leaving the knoll it would lie between 

 masses of dense undergrowth, well suited for ambush 

 and surprise. 



There was no time to be lost, as the peak which 

 was the limit of the Wamsara territory was more than 

 ten miles distant, and noon had already passed. Beyond 

 the peak lived the Embe ; would they receive us in 

 a friendly manner? It seemed unlikely, but Motio 

 assured us such would be the case. However, our 

 hopes were not high, as he had failed to give us the 

 best information reo^ardino: the treatment we should 

 receive at the hands of the Wamsara. To remain 

 where we were was impossible. So, reflecting that suffi- 

 cient unto the day is the evil thereof, we hardened 

 our hearts ; I gave the command to fall in, and our 

 little force moved slowly toward the peak. 



On both sides of our line of march great numbers of 

 natives followed, at distances varying from 100 to 300 



