Diary Page

March 1909

Monday, March 1st, 1909.

Had 4 hours walk - saw nothing but waterbuck. Osborne arrived at 12 and left for Toro at 6 p.m. Had 14 Mimi porters and 12 of ours - took on a lot of our useless baggage. Both other pair of tusks came in during the afternoon.

Tuesday, March 2nd, 1909.

Had an awful storm during the night. Sent off my cook to Kaeinde to bring out more cloth. I had a very long day, got on spoor of single elephant and followed it nearly to the Lake - never stopped. Tried for hippo on our way back - not at home. Had eight hours out. Cook came back at 3 o'clock.

Wednesday, March 3rd, 1909.

Went out along river and then up to the foothills of Buenzori. Came across a small lot of elephant in some thick grass from which I gracefully retired. Had two long shots at waterbuck - wanted meat. Late last night 2 lovely tusks, 106 and 100 lbs. each, came in from my first day - the elephant I first shot at near the Semiliki being found dead. I found on return to camp Mons. Bonde from Kasinde camped near - we had food together - though we neither of us could talk much of the other's language we had a very pleasant meeting. Very hot - hoping to move directly.

Thursday, March 4th, 1909.

Mr. Bonde down with fever - we got together a few porters and started in for Kasinde. I left him on road and got in quickly to send out more porters. Arrived about 2 o'clock. Found Lt. Gendarme most kind and talks English - I am staying in his house. Awfully hot day. Lake Albert E. is about 2 ½ miles off. Bonde arrived 6 p.m.

Kisindi Lake Edward.

Friday, March 5th, 1909.

Had a quiet day - repacking loads - and hoping my porters would come back, which they did in the evening also the loads from Karime, so now I am fairly ready to start. Got all settled as to customs & agreed to return 122 lbs, in place of the fine pair I had brought in. Lt. Gendarne is a most charming man & was kind.

Saturday, March 6th, 1909.

Got 30 porters & left at 8 a.m. Met the Father on the way out. Bonde down with fever again - 3 hours took us over the Namagasaghy river & once again we are in English territory. Camped out in open - terribly hot.

3 Hours - 9 Miles.

Sunday, March 7th, 1909.

Up early to write a letter to Kesinde - sent porter back. only had 2 hours trek between the salt lakes and camped at Sororo - horribly hot place again, just at the last corner of the Lake. Courier came on after me with letters and papers. Hardly think this was such a bad place for sleeping sickness.

Letters till Jan.27th. 2 Hours -6 Miles.

2 Lily. Mary. Carvey. Lady Glover. 2 Hausing

Monday, March 8th, 1909.

Most lovely moonlight night & morning. Up early and on road by 5.30. Splendid clean white road - saw a few gazelle. Did 3 ½ hours and reached Lake Kickorangu for our camp. Killed a hippo in the small lake as I came along. This camp is the last one can shoot from under Congo permit as the neutral ground ends just beyond the big Lake. Busy cleaning up for the Governor's arrival.

3 ½ Hours - 9 Miles.

2 Hippo.

Tuesday, March 9th, 1909.

Went out hunting but found nothing so came in after 2 hours and treked- did 2 hours to Monarchin and 2 ½ on to Kassesi. Nice clean rest house. Splendid road.

4 ½ Hours - 13 Miles.

Wednesday, March 10th, 1909.

Started 30 porters away at daylight and then went a long round in search of buffalo. Saw nothing but waterbuck so returned and had lunch. Found a Father & the Bishop en route to Beni. Started off at 1 o'clock. Very hot - crossed some lovely streams from Buenzori, one so swift as to take 6 men to carry me over - and only about 2ft deep. Country full of cattle. 2 ½ hours brought me to Hima - dirty old place. Got a note from Osborne who is sleeping next camp.

2 ½ Hours - 7 ½ Miles.

Thursday, March 11th, 1909.

Up quite early and out of camp before 5 o'clock. Did 3 ¼ hours to Ranwinu where I found Osborne - had food, & with about 18 fresh porters had a hot 2 ½ hours march on to Batanika where we just camped on the road close to the river in high grass.

5 ¾ Hours - 18 Miles.

Letters: Mrs.Wrohan. Comr.Enck. Wills. George. Lady Susan Sutton.

Friday, March 12th, 1909.

Up at one o’clock a.m. and had a long cool trek into Toro. Got there at 9 a.m. Staying at the old Boma house. Mr. Rokie called. Dined with Mr. J.H.Leakey,

5 ¾ Hours - 18 miles.

Saturday, March 13th, 1909.

Busy packing - and squaring up ivory. Lunch with Haldane - King of Toro called. Started off 20 porters for Entebbe. Dined with Mr. Leakey again.

Letters to: H.H.Heatley. A.B.Duers. E.H.Hobley. P.clinton. Lady Orford. Lady Mowbray. Wills. Carvey. J. Van Marcke. Lt.Boyton. Lt.Gendarme.

Sunday, March 14th, 1909.

Up at 3 but did not get away till about 4.30. Had a heavy storm & had to shelter for an hour. Met Henderson and a friend on way - Col. Brune.Two hours out of Toro is a nice new rest house. Did 7 hours to Makunia, another new rest camp, about 3 miles beyond Matiai. This was a real stiff days work & I felt quite tired out.

22 miles - 7 Hours

to Makunia.

Monday, March 15th, 1909.

Overslept myself. Got off at 5.15 did 4 ½ hours to another nice new camp at Kihoura.

14 Miles - 4 ½ hours

to Kihoura.

Tuesday, March 16th, 1909.

Left camp at 4.15 - did 4 ¼ hours and camped at Kahounbe - met here Asst. Postmaster General just come in from shooting 2 elephant.

13 Miles - 4 ¼ Hours

to Kahounbe.

Wednesday, March 17th, 1909.

Started at 4 o'clock. Passed Kahabana 2¼ hours out and then 3¼ hours to Kekegwe, where we found a nice new rest house for the Governor. Met the Kimbagwe & a large retinue on his return to Toro after escorting H.E.

(15¾ 49 miles)

5 ¼ Hours - 17 miles.

Thursday, March 18th, 1909.

Off again at 4 o'clock - overtook Mr. Gosling before he left his camp, so went on together. A large safari passed from Banara. 5 hours brought us to Kybilinga. rest house still clean but not new, as Governor has now turned off to Mobendi.

5 Hours - 16 Miles.

Friday, March 19th, 1909.

Away at 4. No moon - cloudy and dark - did 2 hours and then had to stack baggage & shelter 1½ hours for rain. Road dirty & grown up all along. Circled round Mobendi. 4¼ hours brought us to Katabalanga - no rest house. Nesto very ill.

4 ¼ Hours - 13 Miles.

Saturday, March 20th, 1909.

Rain delayed us till 5 a.m. 1¼ to Mobendi road, then 4 hours on to a dirty little rest house at Nabakani - here a mule arrived for me from Bertie Smith eggs - fowls - potatoes - onions. Nesto bad yet.

5 ¼ Hours - 16 Miles.

Sunday, March 21st, 1909.

Away at 4 a.m. Passed Lionna or Kyandi in 2 hours, then 3 ½ hours brought us to Kagasengulla, a nice station adjoining a tin house built for the Governor. Mr. Bowker & Bailey camped here - exchanged books. Found Bowker knew me in South Africa.

(35½ hours 111miles)

5½ hours - 18 Miles.

Monday, March 22nd, 1909.

Away at 3 a.m. as we had a long march in front. Passed Jungora in 3¼ hours and then came by old road to the new camp. 3¼ hours - fancy old road is longest. Sent a telephone message to Bertie Smith. Travelled along Lake all the day - Nesto much better. Camped at Basimbe or Mityano.

6 ½ Hours - 20 Miles.

Tuesday, March 23rd, 1909.

Having only 3 hours march we started later at 4.15. Did one hour to Vesuvisus and then had to shelter for nearly 4 hours. Rained hard. Reached Basugo 11.30 - found 3 Belgians there off to Kilo. Very large open covered in shed - clean. Tame elephant passed us - took its photo.

3 ¼ Hours - 10 Miles.

Wednesday, March 24th, 1909.

Up at 2 o'clock, then a little rain - got off at 3 a.m. and had the wettest march of our trip. Rained more or less hard for 3 hours - bed & guns wet through. Took longer to reach Quatamballa owing to darkness & rain. Did about 6¼ hours instead of 5½. Reached Manbale - nice little new rest house. Got plenty of eggs - sent off mule by Kampala road.

(50¾ hours 159 miles)

6 Hours - 17 Miles.

Letters from:

Mary Feb 17th. Lily - Feb.9th & 17th. Wills. H. Litchfield. Vi Hollom. Lady Mowbray - Jan.27th. Lady Glover. Phyllis - Jan.30th. Dana Estes. Mrs. Broadley. - Solvay.

Thursday, March 25th, 1909.

Off at 5 o'clock - took over 3 hours to ferry and arrived at Entebbe 11 o'clock - just 3 months safari to an hour. Dined with Bertie Smith.

4 ¼ Hours - 12 Miles.

Total time to date = 61 Hours.

Total miles to date =188 Miles.

Friday, March 26th, 1909.

Passed ivory - lunch with Bertie Smith - dinner with Leakey.

Saturday, March 27th, 1909.

Lunch and dinner with Bertie Smith. Tea, Mrs. Smith. Went over the Botanical Gardens.

Sunday, March 28th, 1909.

Lunch Bertie Smith - Tea with H.E. the Governor - Dined with the Smiths.

Monday, March 29th, 1909.

Went down early and passed customs with baggage. Left 11 packages with Bertie Smith. Started off at 1 o'clock in rickshaw. Reached Kampala at 4.30. Stayed with G. Keane and Treves at old Fort.

Packages left B.S.

Box.No.1 - Photo.

Box No.2 - Skins.

1 Gun Case. 1 Table. 1 Bag (saddle) 5 Wood Chop Boxes. 2 Tents. 1 Bag - 2 bushels.

Tuesday, March 30th, 1909.

Went to see Mr. Moses - Ug. Trading Co. Called on Mr. Sparkes. Awful hail, thunder and rain storm - wrote A.E.B. Smith & Nesto. Left at 5 o'clock by rickshaw for the steamer.

Wednesday, March 31st, 1909.

Left Luzera at daylight - reached Ginga 1 o'clock. Captain Gosling & I went in boat across the Lake to photo Falls Ripon, also shot 1 Hippo & 2 crocodile.

1 Hippo.

2 crocodiles.