A TRIP TO TAVEITA. 
205 
Taveita, though I might be unaccompanied by more 
than half a dozen men, I was never interfered with by 
the Masai, whereas I used constantly to hear of their 
attacking other caravans ; and whenever they did so, 
Mandara was generally in collusion. Consequently I 
knew that if I attempted to quit his kingdom against 
his will or without his leave, he had but to signal to 
the Masai, and they would effectually bring me to 
ruin. 
Another difficulty I had to deal with was the question 
of my baggage. I had fifty-eight loads stored at Mo si, 
and ten porters. Kiongwe would be coming from the 
coast with some sixty carriers, but they would nearly 
all of them bring burthens; consequently on their 
arrival in Mosi I should be unable to carry off the loads 
already stored there. The only solution would be to stop 
the new caravan at Taveita, leave ten men there with the 
fresh supply of goods, and let the rest come on empty- 
handed to Mosi. Then I could take leave of Mandara 
somehow, and carry off all my loads, whereas, if I 
departed from Mosi leaving property behind, and then 
made friends with Mandara’s enemies, he would pro¬ 
bably seize my belongings in revenge for this act of 
faithlessness. 
How could we let Kiongwe know of my change of 
intentions ? If I sent a messenger to Taveita, Man¬ 
dara’s spies would be sure to report what was taking 
place, and set him on the scent of my little plot. The 
only plan was to go myself to Taveita, because then I 
could more easily explain my intentions to Kiongwe. 
According to our calculations he should be due there 
about the 22nd of August at the latest; so I deter¬ 
mined to leave Kitimbiriu on the 18th. Mandara’s 
consent was obtained, and besides sending two of his 
