1 86 Wanderings in Eastern Africa, 
the night. We rose early, intending to take advan- 
tage of the cool air ; but another annoyance arose — 
our donkeys were not to be found ! Men were des- 
patched in all directions to seek them. They could 
not, we supposed, have strayed far, because their 
forelegs had been hobbled. One man after another 
returned, however, saying that the animals could not 
be found. Lastly, two men brought the cord with 
which they had been tied ! Here was a misfortune : 
the donkeys had got free, and had returned no one 
knew how far. Wuledi and a Galla were sent for the 
purpose of seeking them, and bringing them back ; 
and, hoping that they might return by noon, we 
waited until then where we were. 
We spent the morning in search of something for 
dinner ; but we bagged only a few pigeons, which, 
however, were very acceptable, for dry rice is not in 
itself either a very tasty or strengthening food. Even 
East Africans cannot do with it without a little relish 
of some kind, and to the European it is a dry morsel 
indeed. Our pigeons then, as a relish, were not to be 
despised. 
We were surprised to meet with so few birds in 
so quiet and lonely a spot, for an East African 
wood is, as a rule, exceedingly rich in the feathered 
tribe. 
Noon arrived, but the donkey-seekers had not re- 
turned. W e waited until three o'clock ; still they did 
not appear. We wished to have gone on now, but 
the Gallas and some of our men were off in search of 
honey, and we were obliged to wait a short time 
longer for them. They returned in half an hour 
without the sought-for luxury, much annoyed that 
I 
