Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-01-20

comfort of the travelling public was
shielded in every way. -
First and second class Nordic COM
partment cars followed. They were
both the same. Every one Travelled Sec
ond class, except visiting explorers like
ourselves. No service was supplied. One
slept in his own bed roll ii he wasn't
too lazy to unroll it. Food was avail
able at various stations.
For twenty-five and a half hours we
rode on this train, and then arrived at
the heart of the big-game country
Nairobi!
Modern buildings faced the road.
Store windows bulged with copious dis
plays Of merchandise. It was amazing.
Our shops were no better at home
And here we had carried all this "kag''
ten thousand miles!
There was a government road. It
wound its way almost to Parklands, a
suburb full of pleasing villas that filled
one with a languid sense of ease and
security. Further out was the Muthaiga
County Club and golf links, q comfort
able place. Here was champagne,
caviar, lobster, dancing, advanced bridge
and ladies and gentlemen Immediately
dressed.
The atmosphere was distinctly Eng
lish. Polo, race meets, babies and nurse
maids made it so.
We paused before the Norfolk Hotel
low stone building. At the front gate
grew a tree planted by Roosevelt is
years before. 1t was beginning to look
old now and somewhat shriveled, but
one derived a certain confidence from
the mere fact 1t was there.
On entering the ctfice we were greeted
Vph h al u
sat behind the desk, eating strawber-
r1eS and cream. OF course, every one
called her "Aunty" and made much of
her-1ust the Find of thing one expects
In Africa. We were shown to a room,
and among our bundles and boxes we
sat down to consider our situation. Here
we were-yes, obviously-here we were,
but what next?
THERE were several outftters in town
who managed safaris and operated
lost-and-found departments for the
benefit OF amateur explorers. We ran
such corporation to earth, and across
the top of neat desk in a private office
Dared our hearts to a most courteous
gentleman.
II see," he said. "You want to 20 on
safari. Now. what kind OF a bag have
you in. mind?" y,
well, I'd like a well filled bag" I
nice bag"
"Ah. 7 see," he said. "Now, I don't
know your tastes, but I am anxious to
give you what you fancy That's my
business. If you kill a lion, you will
want champagne. Now. no doubt-"
IF ]. killed lion, I'd be SO nervous
I'd want a straitjacket," broke in.
It's merely to celebrate while your
porters are doing the lion dance" he
explained. Its the correct thing. Do
you care for pickles. jam and sar-
dines?" he shot out, giving me search
ing look.
mot all at once" answered. The
mystery of this barbaric land into which
men vanished to be seen no more was
becoming clear-they all died Of indi-
gestion.
Just a minute" he muttered. and
made rapid calculation on q piece of
newspaper. Big game hunting is royal
and expensive sport he said at length
Il can do you a modest safari for two
people, exclusive OF your license, guns,
ammunition, liquor, transportation
costs of lawsuits arising from SHOOTING
people by mistake, preparing, packing
and shipping the trophies"
That's I. o. b." started to say, but
did not get chance.
Il can do this little shoot in the
simplest way" he went on, ''for E."
My brain reeled. For q moment I
thought he was referring to the national
debt of Jugoslavia.
/ think he began to realize now that
I was adrift on strange sea. Are YOU
shooting for any institution? Do YOU
want to take many trophies homer" he
asked.
mo" 7 told him. "I'm not doing in
stitutional shooting, and as to shipping
trophies home, have a feeling 1t would
be considered an unfriendly act by sew
eral people, principally my wife. We
haven't a large house,
Look here, he said "Why don't YOU
go out on some farm-many of them
are crawling with garne-Settle down
and play around?"
That sounds like an idea," said.
"Where?"
"I'n try to find one," he answered.
with scarcely concealed note Of re.
lief. IT don't know of any at the mo-
ment, but never fear--TIl find one, I'll
find one.
The night slipped by. Suddenly a
most blood-curdling sound aroused us,
like the struggles of a soul about to
paused and walled so that my spinal
cord vibrated like the G string of a bad
ly played violin. Then all was silent
once more. It was dawn.
+ X X
TN the morning. when "Aunty" was
: quite alone. made Q guarded inquiry.