236 
THE KILIMA NJARO EXPEDITION. 
onset. Fortunately, in the middle of their charge the 
Wa-kiboso stopped short. There, between us and 
them, unheeded by me, stood my theodolite, poised on 
its tripod stand, with its levels, doubtless, as well ad¬ 
justed as when I had previously left it. This harmless 
instrument had filled the Wa-kiboso with sudden 
dread. It was, no doubt, considered some engine of 
sorcery so powerful that I needed but to place it between 
myself and my foes, and I could then await their 
onslaught with equanimity. The Wa-kiboso, therefore, 
paused, their war-cry ceased, they gazed uneasily at 
the theodolite, and, to my intense relief, slowly with¬ 
drew to a neighbouring hillock, from the top of which 
they watched our proceedings. After a quarter of an 
hour of immobility on either side the Wa-kiboso 
suddenly left their post of observation at a gentle run, 
and disappeared into the forest below. I had a short 
deliberation with my men, who insisted on at once 
returning to Mandara’s country, alleging that the Wa- 
kiboso would return in greater numbers and cut off 
our communications below, thus severing us from our 
food supplies. I then suggested that, instead of re¬ 
turning direct to Mosi, we should continue our explora¬ 
tion of the mountain and then descend through Useri 
on the plains below, and thus reach Taveita. This 
also was overruled, and, perhaps, wisely, as the people 
of Useri were equally hostile to Mandara with the Wa- 
kiboso, and would possibly have massacred our little 
band of sixteen men had we tried to pass through their 
country. Finally, I resolved to take the advice of 
Mandara’s soldiers, and return to our settlement at 
once, without further delay. We therefore re-entered 
the forest, and passed our old camping-place of the 
night before, where we saw the print of many feet, 
