2 1 8 Wanderings in Eastern Africa. 
saying, don't know that this will be so, but this is 
what is at present intended." 
What could we say to this, but express a hope that 
we should not again be deceived ? How could we 
know that we were being told the greatest untruths ? 
While Hirebaya was with us some Gallas arrived 
from Bararetta, bringing with them strange news. 
They said they had met in their way a MsuahiH, who 
was running for his hfe. They stopped this man, and 
were told by him that he was flying from Mambrui, 
which place had been attacked by the Masai. There 
had been four days' hard fighting, and many on both 
sides had been slain. The Masai had come off con- 
querors. The people of the Muando Mpia (new village) 
had all fled. Many Kisuahili slaves had been taken 
prisoners, huts had been burned, and much goods and 
property had been scattered to the winds. On all sides 
were to be picked up cloth, beads, and household 
furniture. The Gallas who brought us this intelligence 
were in possession of some of the spoils, which they 
had picked up in the path, and which, in the estima- 
tion of most, stamped all they said as true. 
This information filled our porters with distress, and 
they began to wail. Had they not left behind them, 
in the very places said to have been attacked, fathers, 
mothers, brothers, sisters, friends, neighbours, etc. } 
All had certainly been killed. They talked lament- 
ably of their supposed bereavements, and condoled 
with each other upon the great calamity which they 
thought beyond doubt had fallen upon them. Some 
of them even hinted at the necessity of their returning 
to take part in the funeral ceremonies, which would 
be held over the slain. Strange people ! so used, as 
