Ascent of Kilima Njaro. 417 
desirous of seeing something of the country, you ask 
to be sent upon a short trip. If you were refused the 
favour, what would you think of it ? He confessed 
that he should not like it. ''Now/' I said, ''look at 
Kibo ! how near it is ! I have come a long way to see 
you; I am your guest; you can send me up the 
mountain if you please; will you do it.'^ He replied, 
" I will." " But,'' I added, " I have nothing to give 
you ; you know this, and what you do must be done 
from sheer friendship." He said, " Don't mention it ; 
I want nothing more." 
This very day, however, another difficulty arose. 
In the evening, hearing the report of guns, the guide 
went out to learn what it could be, and returned with 
the following story : " Some of Mbuana's men have 
come from Taveta to fetch their master, as Moche is 
in danger of being attacked. A large band of 
Wataita, from Bura, have passed through Taveta, 
part of which has gone to Kirua and part to Lam- 
bongo, their object being to obtain the help of both 
those places in an assault upon Moche. I tell you, 
Buana," continued Sadi, " this is no place for us to 
stay in. We are in danger of being attacked every 
day. M. Mbuana will leave to-morrow ; let us go 
too." 
A grand sunset was succeeded to-day by a beauti- 
fully clear, fine night. The half-moon shone splen- 
didly, and innumerable stars flashed their matchless 
glories. Kibo appeared in the soft, silvery light 
almost as distinctly as by day ; the hollows, crags, 
precipices, rocks, etc., being all well defined, pre- 
senting, in its way, a scene of unrivalled beauty. 
On the 23rd the mange came to tell me that he 
27 
