IX 



TRAVELS IN EASTERN AFRICA 



443 



at Ukambani, and join me via Hameye, at whicli 

 point the Pokomo with their canoes could ferry him 

 across the river. This would also have been a good 

 road over which to bring the donkeys, had it not been 

 for those little pests, the " tsetse " fly. 



About this time I was informed by the natives that 

 owing to the exceptional fall of rain it was unlikely 

 that the Tana would prove fordable at any point for 

 two or three months to come. It was impossible for 

 me to waste so much time ; so I sent Hamidi and 

 some of my men to the river bank, for the purpose 

 of searching for a fit tree from which to make a dug- 

 out canoe. 



When the rainy season had set in, Motio went away 

 to visit his people on the mountains. At this time he 

 returned bringing with him an old man, whom he 

 called his father, and also a neighbour. I gave each 

 of them a large present, and Motio bade me farewell, 

 saying that he did not think he should ever return to 

 me at Daitcho, as he Vv^as so rich from the presents I 

 had given him, that he would be able to settle down 

 among his own people during the remainder of his 

 life. He never reappeared. I felt that my whole ex- 

 pedition owed this poor stricken creature a debt of 

 gratitude for his services ; and I hoped that he was 

 permitted by his tribesmen to enjoy in peace the 

 riches he had acquired. 



Early in December the rains almost entirely ceased, 

 yet not altogether, for occasionally a slight shower fell 

 during the night. On December ii, having recovered 

 somewhat from my indisposition, I went to the Tana, 

 where I found Hamidi and his men. They had nearly 



