318 



TO KENIA 



On September 14 we resumed our march amid scenery 

 very much the same as that just passed through, except that 

 there was less cuhivation, with more grass, bush, and ferns. 

 The country was, however, still well populated, and we passed 

 several little settlements, consisting of from three to about 

 twenty huts, either hidden in the woods or nestling against 

 the slopes of the mountains in the midst of banana plantations. 

 The huts of the Wakikuyu present a very picturesque ap- 

 pearance, and are of the bee-hive or conical shape, thatched 

 with straw or rushes, above which protrudes the central beam ; 

 the roof springs from perpendicular walls with outside supports. 

 The walls are made of interlaced branches, supplemented by 

 well-hewn planks or smeared with clay. Near each hut are 

 two smaller structures of the same kind, in which fruit and 

 vegetables are stored. 



The number of natives who attended our march increased 

 to thousands as we proceeded, the women and children dashing 

 off in terror at the slightest incident, whilst the warriors pressed 

 more closely upon the caravan. The greatest caution was 

 needed, and we were in special danger when we had to divide 

 our forces in two for crossing a stream ; an attack would have 

 been most unfortunate for us, and we were so hemmed in that 

 the natives could have despatched us with their clubs alone. 

 However, after a long hour of suspense we got over unmolested. 

 On the ridge of the next hill our guide suddenly turned aside 

 from the direct path, and led us towards a brook on the other 

 side of which we were to camp. It was now one o'clock, and, 

 as usual, the delays were endless. For a long time the people 

 of the caravan waited, huddled closely together, on the edge 

 of the perpendicular side of the brook, we in the rear-guard 

 quite unable to see what was going on in front. Suddenly we 

 heard a shot, then another, and another, till a perfect volley 

 was rattling from the direction of the vanguard. We looked 



