THE COUNT STAETS FOR LAKE BARINGO 



399 



base of the Aberdare range, from wliicli in its turn small parties 

 are despatched to different portions of the highlands in quest 

 of ivory. The various detachments of the Leikipia portion of 

 the caravan generally meet again at Miansini to wait for their 

 comrades, or, if thej are strong enough, they march back to 

 Taveta or Little Aruslia, never leaving these harbour refuges 

 till the whole force is reassembled and the final division of the 

 ivory can take place, this division corresponding with the 

 amount of goods for barter contributed by each sharer in the 

 venture. 



We had very little intercourse with the natives here, as 

 they were all on the move. They brought nothing for sale, 

 but were willing to exchange oxen and barren cows for our 

 healthy young heifers and calves. The oxen we had brought 

 with us were such splendid fellows that 1 am afraid any 

 description of them would appear exaggerated. They were 

 covered with greyish-black hair, had short, massive horns, and 

 must, I think, have been originally brought from far away in 

 the north in some raid. We were unwilling to part with a 

 moderately large one even for six female goats or ewes. 



Late in the evening of November 13 a number of Wando- 

 robbo came into camp for the first time to get their liongo. 

 The ivory traders are always very glad to give this, and Jumbe 

 Kimenieta at once took the visitors into the store tent, where 

 the secret dealings in tusks are always carried on. 



On the morning of November 14 Count Teleki and his 

 party started in a westerly direction for Lake Baringo without 

 a guide, for, as already stated, the one promised him had dis- 

 appeared. As we should probably be separated for about four 

 weeks, I went a little way with him to talk over certain possible 

 eventualities, and then returned to camp to prepare for my 

 own trip to the Guaso Nyiro. I selected forty men to go with 

 me, which left behind twenty of our party and forty of Jumbe 



