On the Tana. 
217 
direct to Ganda, or at least find us a place upon dry 
land where we should have room to stir. 
Hirebaya admitted the unpleasantness of our posi- 
tion, but declared that it was ^'waka' (the work of 
God.) What can we do ? he continued, we are doing 
everything for you we can. Wait a little longer." 
He said that Mara Barowat would probably come down 
to us on the morrow. He intimated that our coming 
to their country was an extraordinary thing, and that 
there was much to be thought and said about it. 
" Dubbi " (palaver) was proceeding, but decisions could 
not be arrived at in a moment. 
In the afternoon a rumour reached us that the Masai 
had been seen on the opposite bank of the river, and 
some Wapokomo were despatched to ascertain the 
truthfulness of this report. They returned at night 
to say that they had seen nothing of the marauders, 
but were unable to assert that they had not been seen 
by others. If the Masai had been to the river they 
had returned before our scouts had arrived. 
Friday, i \th. — Hirebaya came about noon, this time 
without Buiya, Aba Rufat, or Mara Barowat. Dado 
had disappeared since the division of the cloth ; we 
had hoped better things of him, 
Hirebaya said he had sent word to Ganda that we 
were tired of waiting, and had received an answer to 
the effect that no boats could be obtained by which 
to bring the chief and his party down the river ; that, 
however, Buiya Dubassat had been sent up the river, 
to some Kipokomo villages, to collect as many daus as 
were required, and that if h e succeeded in getting them 
Mara Barowat would come to us, without fail, on the 
morrow morning. Hirebaya concluded by guardedly 
