XIII 
A SOJOURN AT RES HI AT AND HERE 
307 
enticing groves of forest trees proved to be across the river ; 
but I got a satisfactory spot at last under a large tree alongside 
a patch of bush, conveniently near the river and not too close 
to any kraal. Every one has his own ideas as to what consti¬ 
tutes a good site for a camp. Swahilis always take up their 
quarters close alongside of, or even in, the village. They like 
the natives constantly crowding about and in their tents ; and 
do not regard the other conditions, such as want of cleanliness, 
distance from water, etc., as discomforts. I prefer a little 
privacy with clean ground, and look upon proximity to water 
and, if possible, shade as desirable concomitants. 
I have advisedly styled the little district of Kere a 
“ kingdom,” for it was the first tribe I had come in contact 
with in all the country from Mombasa to here which recognised 
a chief. In the afternoon I sent up Abdulla and Mnyamiri 
(the latter of whom was already known to him) to present my 
salaams to Labugo (such was his name) and report my arrival 
officially. He sent word in reply that he would visit me in 
the morning. No presents passed so far. 
A young fellow, to all appearance one of the inhabitants of 
the place (except that he was not quite so black), and like them, 
in common with the males of all the tribes of this part of 
Africa, stark naked, came out and made himself known to me 
as a member of Count Teleki’s caravan, having been left in 
Reshiat sick, as a boy, some eight years previously, and lived 
with the natives as one of themselves ever since. He seemed 
pleased to see me, and said he would like to accompany my 
caravan on our return to the coast. To this I had, of course, 
no objection, and thought Hamisi (his Swahili name) might 
prove useful as interpreter while we remained here, though he 
certainly seemed rather out of practice with his mother tongue. 
In reply to my inquiries why he had never returned to the 
coast with trading caravans, one or two of which I knew to 
have visited the country during the intervening years, he said 
that he would not trust Swahilis, and preferred remaining here, 
