CHAPTER VI 
RETURN TO MOMBASA 
My new Lee-Metford—Advantage of solid bullet—Observations on rhinos—A white 
companion—Bag a “Roi rhebok”—A punitive expedition—A land of plenty 
—Our Christmas camp—Tribes round Mount Kenia—A playful escapade— 
Stung by hornets—A tribe on the war-path—A solitary wanderer—Sport and 
science—Return to Mombasa—A pleasant change—Organise a new caravan— 
An earthquake shbck. 
A few days’ rest in a cool and rain-proof shed, with such 
luxuries as fresh vegetables and baked bananas, was enjoyable. 
The surroundings, too, were pleasanter than formerly, the 
young grass being now short and green. Flowers—among 
them many pretty ground orchids—were not yet choked in 
rank herbage, and my boy could always procure a handsome 
variety to adorn my humble table. 
My messengers were back from Mombasa with mails, etc., 
and what was of even more interest to me—a new rifle. This 
was an ordinary service Lee-Metford (mark IV.). I shall have 
more to say about this weapon later on. At first I could not 
make very good shooting with it; for, besides having to become 
accustomed to its unfamiliar handling, it needed an emphatically 
“ long pull and a strong pull ” to fire it; so long indeed, that I 
had sometimes, after feeling the trigger come an appreciable 
way, to start afresh before it would go off. 1 Moreover, it was 
awkward in the bush, as the least touch of a branch against 
1 On my return to Mombasa, before starting on my next expedition, I was able, 
through the kindness of a naval officer, to get this defect remedied. 
