3 68 
ELEPHANT-HUNTING IN EAST AFRICA 
CHAP. 
to the load. This makes the culprit do useful work—for there 
is seldom a time when something is not in want of means of 
transport, such as a newly-acquired specimen, for example— 
and the fact of its having been added as a penalty has a great 
effect upon him, though the actual weight may not make any 
material difference. 
A rule I never depart from, and to which I attach the 
greatest importance in dealing with Africans, is to allow one’s 
men free access to oneself to lay their grievances before their 
master. If the complaints are frivolous, I point out to grumblers 
their groundlessness ; it relieves their feelings to have had their 
say, and thus a little “ shauri ” often removes discontent. 
Above all, never allow a headman to punish nor give him 
uncontrolled sway over the men ; such a course surely leads 
to favouritism and cruelty, however good a man he may be. 
I felt so sure that the caravan would come in that day 
that I went out early on the morning of 28th April on purpose 
to get some meat for the men. Those who had been with me 
here had always had more than they could eat, but the others 
could get none while I was away, and, as they were now carry¬ 
ing heavy loads, deserved some. I shot two “ topi,” and the 
“ safari ” came in all safe and sound just as I got back. As 
it was yet early, we were that day able to get completed all 
the additional preparations and disposals which the newly- 
acquired ivory rendered necessary, and everything ready for start¬ 
ing in earnest with the whole outfit, on our return journey, the 
following morning. Every one was in high spirits, not excepting 
myself, for I had every reason to feel thankful for my recovery 
and for the many fortunate circumstances which had combined 
to make things smooth for me and to render my expedition 
far from an absolute failure, in spite of my serious accident 
and consequent loss of three months and upsetting of my plans. 
Men are always pleased at the prospect of returning to the 
coast after a long trip ; and happily we had an ample supply 
of food to see us through, anyway to El Bogoi, so that I saw 
