302 EETURN FROM LAKE BARINGO TO THE COAST 



these people ! And how unfounded and false were now proved 

 to be all the assertions made by wiseacres as to the harm our 

 transit of the country had done ! No matter what is said to 

 the contrary, the fact remains that we ourselves did not shrink 

 from paying two visits to Kikuyuland after the first, from 

 which it is impossible to help concluding that our passage 

 must have had anything but unfavourable results for later 

 travellers ! 



There was a good deal of drunkenness now as before, and 

 the natives had many a tussle amongst themselves. As with 

 other hot-blooded swashbucklers, the sword would fly readily 

 from the scabbard, and a more or less exciting duel would now 

 and then take place. A few beads were also stolen once, but 

 this did not trouble us in the very least. An hour later the 

 thief was dragged in bound, and laid at our feet with the words, 

 * Do with him what you will ! ' Of course our will was to set 

 him free. 



The next afternoon Utahaj Uajaki appeared, bringing with 

 him a sheep and a little honey and millet. He told us that 

 there had been a rumour in Kikuyuland to the effect that we 

 had every one of us been destroyed, but here we were again, 

 he added, and very glad was he to see us. 



We passed three delightful days amongst our Kikuyu 

 friends, who came from far and near bringing plenty of poultry, 

 honey, sugar-cane, fresh beans, &c., for sale. They also 

 offered us slaves, including a pretty young woman with a baby 

 at her breast, leading a little three-year-old boy by the hand. 

 The owner was willing to sell the mother and baby, but wished 

 to keep the boy for himself. Silently, and apparently indiffer- 

 ent to everything, the young woman awaited her fate, but the 

 tears rolled down the little boy's fat cheeks on to his yet 

 plumper body. Jumbe Kimemeta, to whom these beautiful wares 

 were offered, had not the heart to separate the child from his 



