320 Wanderings in Eastern Africa. 
plots all over the lower portion of the mountain. A 
little water runs from beneath an immense block of 
granite, a short distance up the side of the mountain, 
but it is absorbed by the soil before it reaches the 
plain. 
Turning towards the south, a considerable descent 
remains before the plains are reached; then round the 
base of the mountain are plantations of maize, gourds, 
etc., and beyond, away to the horizon, all is wilderness, 
for the greater part level country, but rising towards 
the east into the Rukinga hills. 
By the time I returned to the camp some of the 
natives had made their way thither, and were looking 
for the stranger. Towards evening they came in 
larger numbers, for they had to pass by us on their 
way home. About this time a rather awkward 
occurrence took place. The donkey was feeding. 
When so occupied he could not endure being ap- 
proached, and was apt to throw out his heels. A Mtaita 
woman had ventured too near, and Neddy resisted the 
intrusion. " Oh my mother, my mother shouted the 
woman, " I am killed ! I am killed ! oh ! oh ! oh! my 
mother ! my mother ! " I discovered that she was not 
hurt ; but, as I did not want anydisturbance made about 
the matter, I listened to the earnest entreaties of her 
friends, and doctored her. I ordered the guide to give 
her also a plum " in the shape of four cubits of cloth, 
hoping that that would effectually silence all com- 
plaints. " Four cubits !" she exclaimed ; " well, I will 
take them, but I am sure my father and mother will 
not be satisfied." With this she went off. The rest 
of the people ascended to their crags as the sun set, 
and we were left alone. 
