VIII 



TRAVELS IN EASTERN AFRICA 



341 



unladen in anticipation of such an emergency. Curi- 

 ously enough, although they had, for the moment, 

 become mad by reason of their thirst, their ravings 

 bore no reference to water. They shouted, laughed, 

 cracked jokes, and staggered along with pleasant faces ; 

 but their wild and staring eyes, their uncertain steps, 

 and the rambling manner of their talk gave positive 

 evidence of their condition. To these two men I 

 served out all the water I carried for myself, as I had 

 by this time becom.e accustomed to march for many 

 hours without liquid refreshment. I also distributed 

 among the people a few sticks of sugar-cane, which I 

 was conveying to Lieutenant von Hohnel as a present 

 from the Daitcho. Although the men seemed per- 

 fectly aware that I was denying myself, to a certain 

 extent, in giving them these things, they evinced no 

 sign of gratitude; but, after the nature of their kind, 

 accepted what I gave them in a greedy manner, and 

 meanwhile commented on the small quantity each 

 received. 



We continued the march, and by 6 p.m. reached the 

 native trail leading from the Jombeni range to the 

 Ngombe crater, when I halted to allow the caravan to 

 close up. To induce them to move in more vigorous 

 fashion, I had pressed on with all speed, accompanied 

 by my two tent-boys. As soon as I was able to dis- 

 cern the figures of my men approaching me along the 

 side of the hill, I again set out, knowing that, after they 

 reached the native trail, they would have no difficulty 

 in arriving at the Ngombe crater. 



Shortly after sunset I had a rather disagreeable 

 experience. I was striding along in the centre of the 



