Chapter 35

They rode through the gate to the Crater as two of N’debi’s warriors detached themselves from where they were guarding the gate, crowding around N’debi jabbering away in their tongue.

They left them behind as they walked the horses up the track by the stream. Someone must have seen them, because the Gurkhas’ wives along with Susan were running down the track towards them.

David dismounted as Susan flung herself into his arms, their lips joined as he held her, feeling the tears of joy on his cheek at his safe return. He told her about the fight just saying the slavers would not be returning but there were men needing her attention. He left her as the four Gurkhas accompanied by their wives went towards the aid station. Tampa took charge of Khan, as Hanga started to prepare a bath for him.

That night after dinner with Martin and Jill they went out onto the stoop, where under badgering from them he related the full story.

“So the Sultan of Zanzibar will be wondering where his dhows have got too,” Martin chuckled.

David nodded, “After the men have had a much needed rest I’ll send a wagon out to bring back the ivory,” he murmured.

“I’ll go with them,” Martin replied. “It’ll give me a chance to see some of this country.”

Three days later Martin along with four Gurkhas, N’debi and six warriors set out with the wagon. They were gone for over ten days, before the weary mules pulled the heavy wagon back up the trail to the house. Martin explained that they had to make a raft to get the ivory over the other side of the river, and then carry it down from the hills to the wagon.

“Well I won’t unload it,” David replied. “We’ll wait a couple of days for the mules to recover, and then take it in to Nairobi.”

The teller behind the desk of the British East Africa Company handed over a cheque for £3469-15 shillings after weighing the ivory. David handed the cheque into the bank under the Khana Crater account and drew out £1300 in bundles of £100.

Back at the crater he had the Gurkhas assembled along with N’debi and presented them each with £100. Rham tried to protest that they needed no reward, but Susan said that the men may not wish it, but their wives would find a use for it.

N’debi took his money saying he was going into Nairobi to buy trade goods. Lastly David handed Jill £100, “For your husband’s work in getting it back. He wouldn’t accept it I know, but I’m sure you will find a use for it.”

N’debi turned up at the house five days later; he asked David if Martin could accompany him to the Maasi kraal. David said that was all right by him but he must ask Martin. N’debi and Martin left the following day with two of his young warriors carrying packs on their heads.

Six days later they returned herding a young bull and six fat cows ... and two young Maasi girls.

That night on the stoop Martin explained, “N’debi had bought bolts of red cloth; the favourite colour of the Maasi, along with mirrors and coils of copper wire. Added to this were the weapons, knives and scimitars taken from the slavers. He had bartered for the cattle and girls.

“The girls were to be wives to the two young warriors he had taken with him.” Martin had laughed, “The girls were the chief’s own daughters. He didn’t intend anyone else getting their hands on N’debi’s trade goods. They argued for twenty-four hours, before agreeing a price for the cattle.

“Only because the chief agreed to let me pick them, N’debi said that because they could not agree who should pick the animals that the white man should chose them, as he didn’t know about cattle like the Matabele or Maasi did. You should have seen the chief’s face when I picked them out.”

Everyone laughed at the tale. “I’d better ride over to N’debi’s kraal tomorrow to see the girls. I’ll take Ali to translate; they must be afraid moving into a strange village,” Susan said.