288 



THE LAKE EEGIONS OF CENTRAL AFRICA. 



these the Jemadar disappeared suddenly, as if by magic. 

 The smooth and rounded surface of the rock displays 

 deep hoof-shaped holes, which in a Moslem land would 

 at once be recognised as the Asr, or the footprints of 

 those holy quadrupeds, Duldul or Zu'l Jenah. In places 

 the Jiwe, overgrown with scattered tufts of white grass, 

 and based upon a dusty surface blackened by torrent 

 rains, forcibly suggested to the Baloch the idea of an 

 elderly negro's purbald poll. 



We encamped close to the Jiwe, and in so doing we did 

 wrong : however pleasant may be the shadow of a tall 

 rock in a thirsty land by day, way-wise travellers avoid 

 the vicinity of stones which, by diminished radiation, 

 retain their heat throughout the night. All caravans 

 passing through this clearing clamour to be supplied 

 with provisions; our porters, who, having received 

 rations for eight days, which they consumed in four, 

 were no exceptions to the rule. As the single little 

 village of Jiwe la Mkoa could aiFord but one goat- 

 skin of grain and a few fowls, the cattle not being for 

 sale, and no calves having been born to the herds, the 

 porters proposed to send a party with cloth and beads 

 to collect provaunt from the neighbouring settlements. 

 But the notable Khalfan bin Khamis, the most energetic 

 of the Coast- Arabs in whose company we were travel- 

 ling, would brook no delay : he had issued as usual 

 three days' rations for a long week's march, and thus 

 by driving his porters beyond their speed, he practised a 

 style of economy usually categorised by us at home as 

 " penny- wise and pound-foolish." His marching was 

 conducted upon the same principle ; determining to save 

 time, he pushed on till his men began to flag, pre- 

 sently broke down, and finally deserted. 



