VIII 



TRAVELS m EASTERN AFRICA 



331 



permit such a prize as we appeared to be to slip 

 through their hands, and so set out for the purpose 

 of attacking us. 



Looking back at this abortive effort on the part of 

 the Rendile, I must admit that it is only with feelings 

 of regret that I remember having slain the rhinoceros, 

 and thus sfiven their warriors an inkling: of the real 

 power of our rifles. If they had not seen the rhinoc- 

 eros, I think it highly probable they would have 

 attacked us, and that would have given us every right 

 to profit by their temerity. 



We had left at Lolokwi in the camp of the Wan- 

 derobbo all the donkey saddles and housing of those 

 animals which had died prior to our departure. 

 These were most difficult to replace, and so I de- 

 cided to send for them, while we waited at Seran in 

 the hope of a visit, hostile or otherwise, from the Ren- 

 dile. I sent to bring these saddles, Mohamadi, the 

 headman of the Swahili, and ten men. Bearing in 

 mind the slowness of a Zanzibari when left to himself, 

 I sent with them Achmet Dualla, one of the Somali, 

 w^ho was perfectly trustworthy, and who I knew would 

 not loiter upon the way. During their absence. Lieu- 

 tenant von Hohnel with Mayolo, the guide, went to a 

 point about eighteen miles to the northwest of Seran, 

 called Lengaya, in order to map the country, and, if 

 possible, discover some new route to the Turcana. 

 He returned in thirty-six hours and reported that 

 from the appearance of the country and the assurances 

 of Mayolo, the guide, the track between Lengaya and 

 Mount Nyiro was absolutely devoid of water, and 

 therefore at that season impassable for the caravan. 



