V 



TRAVELS m EASTERN AFRICA 



179 



I found, much to my disgust, that the porters were 

 reduced to six cartridges per man ; that the Soudanese 

 and SomaH had but twenty rounds each ; while Lieu- 

 tenant von Hohnel and I had, respectively, twenty-five 

 and seventeen. With such a small supply of ammu- 

 nition on hand, it can wxll be imagined that we did 

 not look forward with confidence to the issue of any 

 attack by the natives. 



The road led us under the peak, and in many places 

 was cut by deep ravines and small streams. After two 

 hours' marching we crossed one of these ravines, and 

 on the opposite side were met by a large band of Embe. 

 They greeted us with smiling faces, and had tufts of 

 grass and small branches tucked in their greasy locks 

 as signs of peace. We gladly accepted their overtures, 

 clapped them heartily upon the back, and cheerfully 

 followed them as they preceded us upon the road. In 

 crossing the ravine the donkeys and cattle caused some 

 delay, and upon reaching an open space I halted the 

 caravan, in order to give Lieutenant von Hohnel and 

 the rear-guard an opportunity to close up. 



Motio was still bound and guarded by o-ur standard- 

 bearer. His behaviour throughout the preceding day 

 had been gallant in the extreme. He exhibited no 

 sign of fear, and when the battle raged hottest, shouted 

 defiantly to the Wamsara, and clapped his hands with 

 savage glee upon seeing them beaten off. After the 

 first few hours of sharp fighting he could not under- 

 stand our moderation at taking only what we needed ; 

 but eagerly urged upon us the advantage of marching 

 behind a small hill on our right, where, he said, the 

 country teemed with flocks and herds. He said the 



