446 



THROUGH JUNGLE AMD DESERT 



CHAP. 



rise to the surface and take a breath of air; then, 

 sinking, would remain beneath the surface, until they 

 had been carried by the swift current a distance of 

 ten or fifteen yards ; when they would again reappear, 

 and repeat the operation. In this way the loads were 

 taken across in safety. 



George reported that when he left Kibwezi, Lieu- 

 tenant von Hohnel was rapidly improving under the 

 treatment of the doctor, who had assured him that 

 although the wound would not permanently affect 

 him, yet it would be impossible for Lieutenant von 

 Hohnel to continue the journey in Africa, and he 

 would have to return to Europe. 



Owing to the unusual rainy season, and the attend- 

 ant fly, only forty-two of the donkeys purchased by 

 George were alive ; so I decided to leave them in 

 Ukambani, where pasturage was good, until the river 

 had lowered sufficiently to permit their ferriage with- 

 out difficulty. I decided to set out in the meantime 

 with fifty or sixty of my men, and go to Kythere, 

 where, the Wanderobbo told me, Masai were living 

 who possessed many donkeys. I hoped to accomplish 

 the journey in three weeks, and then set out once 

 more for the north thoroughly equipped. 



Since the departure of the porters Hamidi had 

 brought with him from the coast, my men appeared 

 to be in excellent spirits. They had little, if any, 

 work to perform, and had enjoyed double rations of 

 food. To enable the men to share the pleasure I 

 experienced upon the return of George and the men 

 I had sent with him, I distributed a large present of 

 cloth among them. 



