Ascent of Kilima Njaro. 401 
and Useri. Such was the weather he encountered, that 
despite his best endeavours he lost no less than fifteen 
men in one day. This story with much exaggeration 
was recounted by Mandara's men to my porters, who 
received the whole as if it had been every word true. 
The mange, however, came this morning, and was all 
politeness. He promised that he would allow me to 
commence the ascent of the mountain on the morrow. 
In the afternoon he brought me the men who were 
to act as my guides, but I was told that I should 
have to pay them for their services. It was repre- 
sented to me that the undertaking was a dangerous 
one, that it might be the death of the men, and that 
they ought to have something to leave to their wives. 
Mandara asked nothing for himself, but said he 
trusted to my generosity to reward him when I 
returned. 
This matter settled, I called my party together, 
and asked for volunteers. Tofiki readily consented 
to attend me ; the guide did so with the utmost 
unwillingness ; Mange offered himself with some 
spirit ; Aba Shora would have gone but he was ill ; 
all the rest hung back. Pembe, Kireri, Mvaya, and 
Katama consented, however, in the end, though they 
^ considered they were going to their graves. I wished 
I had had a stouter-hearted party, but it was the 
best I could make up. M. Mbuana had a couple of 
good men who would have been of use to me, but 
though I made him a very tempting offer in the way 
of cash if he would allow them to accompany me, he 
would not part with them. 
By eight o'clock on the following morning we made 
a start, all in good spirits, and I felt like a bird 
26 
