On the way up to town we had the first inkling of amusing incidents in store. The event was unexpected. The train suddenly rushed into a tunnel and simultaneously my natives, who surely thought the end had come, were stricken dumb with fear. When the train regained the daylight Sakari was sitting drawn up in a corner with big, frightened eyes, and he gasped:
“O master! I think this train no go take the right road.”
On reaching London, quarters were found for Ali and Sakari in Gower Street. They were disappointed and almost alarmed when they learned that they could no longer camp beside me, and uneasy at the thought of being separated. Ali’s greatest concern was that he could no longer follow my footprints:
“This no be Tenere [desert], Master! If you are lost, how I be fit go see your foot on these rocks?” (paved streets).
However, I assured them I would come and see them each day, and with that they had to be content.
During the forenoon of the next day I saw them again. Both complained of stiff necks.
“What’s the matter?” I queried.
They grinned broadly, and replied:
“Yesterday we go walk and walk, and all time we go look for top them high house; O Master, they be plenty fine past house of Kano. Them house tall plenty, plenty; but to-day neck be sick. Only way man fit go look for up proper be for him lie down on road [street] same same as when sleep for camp.”
The endless streets lined with innumerable houses were further source of wonderment. On one occasion, after walking for an hour or so through a maze of closely built thoroughfares, they came out into Regent’s Park to exclaim: