SUDDEN RISE OF THE KEEIO 



275 



we readied the dense vegetation marking the course of the 

 Kerio, and noted several signs that we were near a village, 

 though we met no natives or cattle. Our guides had often 

 consulted eagerly together apart by the way, and now they all 

 deserted us but one, who led us to a ford of the river, told us 

 to camp on the other side, and then in his turn took himself 

 off. We never saw any of them again. 



The Kerio was here from forty to fifty paces broad, and 

 some three feet deep, but the crossing was easily and rapidly 

 accomplished, and we were soon encamped beneath beautiful 

 trees on the further bank. Very soon heavy rain began to 

 fall, converting the river into a foaming, rushing torrent which 

 we could not possibly have crossed. This was what the Suk, 

 who really were afraid of us, had reckoned on, and here we 

 were cut off from their village and from all supplies ; left to 

 our fate in fact. 



All doubt on this point was soon set at rest. The Burkeneji 

 women who had joined the Elmolo in our camp, had gone 

 to the kraal to get milk directly after our arrival in camp, 

 and were unable to return to us on account of the rise of the 

 river. Towards sunset, however, they came to the ford and 

 shouted out to us that we must not expect any help from the 

 Suk, who were thankful to get rid of us, and very glad that 

 the river had parted us from them in so complete a manner. 



A heavy downpour of rain, converting the lowlands around 

 us into swamps, kept us where we were for the present, and we 

 felt that the time was approaching when our caravan would 

 be converted into a mere horde of reckless plunderers. But 

 after all, we were to learn of what heroic stuff many of our men 

 were made in this time of trial. Maktubu and Muhinna wadi 

 Kidiwa especially distinguished themselves. They suggested 

 flinging a rope across the river to keep up a connection with 

 the dliurra plantations. A dozen times they tried to swim 



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