EAST AFRICA AND ITS BIG GAME. 
160 
and had to be killed and cut up half-way from our 
camp. 
All these mountain tribes keep their cattle in huts 
from the day of their birth, and never allow them to 
graze for fear of the raiding Masai—a fact which 
accounted for our meeting such large parties of grass- 
cutters descending to the plain. No sooner had we 
left our last camp than its thorn-hedge was fired, lest a 
Masai occupation should represent a lair from which 
they could pounce upon any small detachments sent 
down in search of forage. 
The men caught quantities of fish here, of fair size 
and excellent flavour. The surrounding country was 
picturesque and well suited to a variety of game ; low 
undulating hills, with here and there belts of well- 
grown mimosa, resembling from a distant view stunted 
cedars, and tracts of fresh green grass, the result of 
recent rains. 
I was awakened in the middle of the night by C-, 
who heard strange sounds in the bath-room attached to 
our tent, where, after lighting a match and seizing a 
stick, I discovered a rifle, pouch, belt, mat, and a few 
dirty clothes. I was just going to pounce on these, 
when an arm suddenly appeared under the side of the 
tent, and as suddenly disappeared with the rifle. I 
rushed outside, but the owner of the arm had vanished 
in the darkness ; so I returned and handed over the rest 
of his belongings to Martin, who with their aid easily 
discovered the culprit. We had no objection to any of 
the men taking shelter in our tents during rain, pro- 
