V 



TRA VELS 



/AT EASTERN AFRICA 



175 



Had they attacked us in these places with large par- 

 ties, we would have been unable to use our rifles to 

 advantage, and undoubtedly should have been cut to 

 pieces to a man. These attacks occurred only dur- 

 incj the first two hours of our march. The Wamsara 

 then appeared to change their tactics, and having 

 convinced themselves of the direction in which our 

 route lay, they took advantage of the formation of the 

 country, and attempted to block our way by ambush 

 and surprise at the ravines. In one of the ambushes 

 I had a very narrow escape. The path ascended to 

 a narrow gully, which crossed it at right angles, and 

 beyond the gully the path changed direction and ran 

 parallel with it. Before entering the opening in the 

 neighbourhood of this gully, I halted the caravan. In 

 company with Motio and two men I advanced to its 

 edge, and examined the nature of the surface beyond, 

 to ascertain the feasibility of crossing. 



We had just reached the bank, when my attention 

 was arrested by an old man standing alone on the 

 other side of the gully, and waving a war-club while 

 he shouted to us. Motio listened attentively to what 

 he said, and translated it as follows : " The Wamsara 

 recognize the might of the white man and his people. 

 They wish for no more war. From now on the road 

 will be free from attack. I am a friend of the white 

 man and his people, and I tell him this. Let him 

 have no more fear." 



I instinctively distrusted the words of this prophet, 

 and raised my rifle to my shoulder. Hardly had 

 I done so when thud! thud! upon the hard path 

 around me fell a dozen arrows, with such force that 



