XIV
evidenced by this cáse, and at one daring tò raise his hand
against an Arab •'.
Thè grain harvest being now over, I availed myself, of the
slack time that followed to go down to Mombasa, having to
see the Administrator on various important matters.
I left on Monday, September 19, travelling overland. I
followed my new road to the Sabaki, and after catching up
my porters and losing much time through continually missing
the way, I found myself at length on the road to WatamiL
Had breakfast under a mango tree,'and then started off through
forest and bush, with occasional open shambas, and latterly
over a continuous outcrop o f coral. Watamu, about eleven
miles distant from Melindi, is a pretty little town picturesquely
situated on a small bay with numerous coral rocks. There is
a fine sandy beach in front qf the town', which belortgs to Salim
bin Hamisi of Takaungu. Low bush and plentiful outcrop of
coral rock are the chief characteristics of the country round
the town, with the usual open cultivation. 1 was surprised to
see so few coco-nuts grown. A few dhows are built here. I
camped near the custom-house, my tent being the centre of
the usual curious crowd.
I left next morning at 6 a.m., travelling along the sea-shore,
having been told this was a much shorter way than going
round by M’Shaka. The beach was sandy with numerous high
coral rocks, and so slippery that we had to crawl òver them
further on, to avoid the rising tide, several of my . porters
getting falls.
At eight o’fclock we crossed the deep bay called Uyambu
creek in a canòe, the current being very strong. Beyond we
struck inland to reach Uyambu, a small town or village, which
we reached at nine o’clock. It is not on the sea as shown in
the maps. Thence through continuous bush with occasional
but very few shambas, we arrived at Roka at 11 a.m. and at
MTohdoa at 4 p.m. Here I stopped for the night.
Next morning, September 20,' I started cm a new path
to Konjora, having been informed that by sleeping one night
on the road I should reach Rabai (the Missionary Station near
Mombasa) by 4.30 the following day. This new path was a
much better one than the one. I travelled by when last here ;