XVI 
EN ROUTE FOR EL TOGO I 
3&7 
only been testing the strength of my affection for him, and 
that the food was safe and intact in a cavern, where he had 
carefully stored it, barricading the entrance. And so it proved 
to be : he had hidden it in this dry cave, a secret retreat of 
his, the entrance to which could only be approached with 
difficulty, hidden as it was in dense scrub. I said he might 
eat one of the two loads now, in that case, as he told me that 
he and his people were suffering from famine (he certainly 
looked thin), and I also rejoiced his heart with the promise of 
a donkey. 
But the most unsatisfactory news he had to tell me was 
that there was not an elephant in the whole country now, nor 
had been since my departure. This was disappointing, as I 
had planned to stay some time here, while I sent to Mthara 
for more food, and to the coast for help to carry down our 
ivory ; and hoped to add a little to the latter in the interval, 
by hunting during the delay. 
The pit in which I had planted what I had shot in this 
neighbourhood on our way up was not only untouched, but 
so overgrown with weeds that it was not possible for any one 
to see the ground had ever been disturbed. We could not 
carry its contents along now, even with the spare donkeys, 
without great difficulty, although we still had sufficient food 
to take us to Ukambani. Moreover, I feared the Tana River 
might be impassable, and I had no objection to another month 
or two in this district before proceeding coastwards. I had 
therefore determined to send to Mthara as before for additional 
supplies, while I remained here, at the same time sending 
messengers to the coast to bring up some additional porters 
to meet us at Mtiya’s (across the Tana), whither we would in 
the meantime transport our loads, in two journeys, after the 
return of the food caravan. With this idea I had been writing 
letters, for several days past, to be ready to send to the coast, 
and I devoted the next day to the same duty while my men 
were getting a rest. 
