CH A P T E R II
On the morning of the 24th many Pokomo came into
camp, bringing small presents, consisting of Indian corn
a few fowls, and a bushel or two of millet. They prayed
for my protection against the raiders. I told them
would drive the raiders back if they made an attack during
my stay along the river, and that they could rest
assured that in a short time the English wodd drive
these people forever from their neighbourhood. A t the
time of writing (1895) this result has been happily accomplished,
and peace reigns once more along the banks
of the Tana. . . ,
The Pokomo are undoubtedly of Bantu origin, and
their language is very similar to that of the Zanzibari.
They clothe themselves in waist-bands of cheap cotton,
and the men, one and all, carry long spears, which convey
a warlike impression, but which are used more as
paddles, or as poles for their canoes, than as implements
of war. The length of these spears is about eight teet,
and the blades are short and trowel-shaped.
Our camp was pitched among the ruins of a village
recently destroyed by the raiders. As the natives became
more accustomed to our presence, they swarmed
into camp, bringing small parcels of gram for sale.
The trading-goods taken by the Pokomo m exchange
for their products are rods of soft lead, having a ic
ness of one-fourth of an inch and a length of fourteen
inches. These are used as ornaments — either as bracelets
or anklets. The cheapest of cotton goods finds a
ready demand, and salt; ghee, and spearheads are much
asked for.
Upon the day of our arrival at the Tana it was ascertained
that one load of ammunition was missing; and
upon calling the roll of the men we found that one of
our porters had disappeared. I sent runners back to
Witu to report the matter to Captain Rogers, who had
charge of the station. I succeeded in getting the load,
but heard nothing more of the man.
The march from Marefano to Kinekombe was uneventful
; we journeyed along, at times close to the river
bank, and at times prevented from so doing by the thick