supply of medical comforts. I remember it now, and how good
it tasted! We had some tea in the evening, which I thought
delicious, and Captain Macdonald kindly gave me a packet,
remarking that it seemed to him of only ordinary quality
which he had bought in Mombasa.
I discovered next morning that my own tea tasted
particularly nasty, and on looking at my store I found that it
must have got soaked through in one of our wading expeditions,
as it was now reduced to a pulpy mass. No wonder that
fresh tea tasted good after drinking this decoction for days!
With the coming of the Survey party my duties up here
were at an end, so wishing them a safe and prosperous
journey to Uganda, I was not sorry to bid good-bye to the
stockade. I started on my way back the same morning,
reaching the half-way camp in the evening.
As I was sitting outside my tent after dinner, I was
surprised by the arrival of twenty-two porters from Ayubu’s
caravan. I was very nearly arresting them, as they had no
letter from Captain Macdonald, but they told me that they
had been sent down for some loads of food left by Ayubu at
Makongeni. Believing what they said, I let them pass. But
next day a head-man of Ayubu’s, who had been sent down to
bring in nine porters that had bolted, informed me that the
twenty-two porters of yesterday were runaways. Shortly
afterwards thirty-eight more arrived, and on being challenged,
said they were going back to Takaungu, as they were only
engaged to carry loads up to No. 2 Stockade. I said they
should not pass, and that I would take them back to the
stockade, and I put some of my people to guard the road
below; but the runaways broke away like so many rabbits,
running into the bush in every direction, and so got off. I at
once despatched a messenger to Makongeni to warn M’Soma to
stop them. Then six more arrived ; I took their guns from
them, and handed them and their guns over to Ayubu’s
head-man. This made sixty-six runaways in all.
Makongeni was fully thirty miles away, but I told my
people we must get there that day, and notwithstanding the
heat and the still flooded state of the road, they did exceedingly
well. I reached my old camping-ground at 7.30 in the
evening, very tired after the hot thirty miles’ march. I at
once told M’Soma to put men on the road to stop and catch
the runaways, and immediately sent off a messenger to report
the matter to the Liwali of Takaungu.
The following morning, after paying off all my Watoro
porters, and handing to each the full amount he had earned,
I summoned M’Soma and all the principal head-men to a grand
shauri in the afternoon.
I reminded them of all I had said to them the first time I
had come to visit their country, and then told them that I had
since been in correspondence with the Administrator at
Mombasa, and that I was now empowered by the Company
to offer them the following terms—
1. Their former owners had agreed to accept fifteen dollars
in full payment of their freedom.
2, For those who could not at once pay the money, if
willing to accept these terms, work and wages would be found
by the Company.
I dwelt at length on the advantages which, the Company’s
offer placed within their reach, of living in freedom without
the dread of recapture hanging over their heads, and pointing
out all it meant to them by the opening up of the Sabaki
district, and said that I hoped my proposed plantation at
Jelori would be the first step towards this new and free life,
and that peace and prosperity was now beginning for all.
What did they say ? I added that I was prepared to open a
list at once in which all who accepted the Company s offer
could register their names, giving at the same time their
master’s name, to whom the redemption money would have
to be paid.
The head-men listened most attentively, and aftera discussion
amongst themselves, M’Soma informed me that they accepted
my proposals with gratitude, referring especially to what I
had said concerning the proposed plantation at Jelori, they all
promised to come in to have their names registered; but the
people living on the north bank would have to wait till the
river, still in high flood, was fordable.
I was very busy throughout the following day, and by the
evening had written down the names of over one hundred and