CHAP. VI 
RETURN TO MOMBASA 
137 
sights of this kind ; donkeys with horrible, reeking sores, 
penetrating to the backbone and even full of maggots, still 
made to carry loads. 
Fortunately I was in Mombasa just during the wettest part 
of the rainy season, so that I avoided the inconvenience of 
travelling during its continuance. My preparations were finally 
completed on 13th May ; but, just as I was starting off the 
caravan on the morning of the 14th, it came on to rain heavily, 
and the loads had to be brought in again and our departure 
put off. At daybreak the next morning (about 5.30 of the 
15 th), before it was fully light, there was a severe shock of 
earthquake, followed by several slighter ones. I ran out into 
the street and saw my neighbours opposite and next door— 
missionaries with their wives—just coming out of their doors. 
It was a curious and rather amusing situation, meeting thus in 
deshabille in the street at so early an hour, and somewhat 
embarrassing to a shy man, as the sensation had been too 
impressive and suggestive of catastrophe to allow of even ladies 
waiting for the exigencies of the toilet. Fortunately no serious 
damage was done, though many walls were cracked. Rain 
came on again and prevented my starting yet another day ; 
but on the 16th we got off in good time. 
