IX 



TRAVELS IN EASTERN AFRICA 



405 



ant von Hohnel. As can well be imagined, our part- 

 ing was not a very cheerful one, for I felt anxiety as 

 to the probability of his reaching Europe alive. On 

 the other hand, he was depressed at the thought of 

 leaving me alone and unassisted, to consummate our 

 joint plans. After his departure I had with me sixty 

 Zanzibari, the Soudanese, and three Somali. I sent 

 Karscho with seven men to a food station I had made 

 at Sayer, for the purpose of informing the men I 

 had left there not to expect me until at least three 

 months had elapsed. In returning, Karscho was to 

 bring back with him some loads of brass wire I had 

 left there, with which I expected at this time to 

 purchase donkeys at Daitcho. 



When George left with Lieutenant von Hohnels 

 party, I instructed him to purchase what trading- 

 goods he could at the mission station. Although I 

 had almost given up hope of again seeing Hamidi, 

 still there was the ever-present possibility of his turn- 

 ing up with fresh men, donkeys, and goods. So I 

 faced future events with a mind more or less calm, 

 filled with the hope that I should be permitted to 

 continue pushing my plans of exploration and dis- 

 covery. 



On this day I was visited by my old friend, By- 

 kender. He had notified me of his intended visit, 

 and I had prepared five or six quarts of honey wine, 

 with which to regale him during his stay. During 

 our absence from Daitcho, Motio had remained in 

 camp with George, and upon the arrival of Bykender, 

 I deputed Motio to share with me the duties of host, 

 at least as far as imbibing the honey wine was con- 



