All these conflicting accounts caused us considerable anxiety. As for the Somalis, they were in a most pitiable state; that is, it would have been pitiable had it not been so thoroughly contemptible. They appeared panic-stricken, and worked with feverish energy in strengthening their boma, felling huge trees and cutting thorn bush till long after sundown. We ourselves did not neglect obvious precautions, and strengthened our boma a little, more especially for the purpose of reassuring our men, amongst whom the Somalis’ stories had created something like alarm. We then sent a peremptory message to the Somali camp, warning them that if their frightened sentries, through a false alarm or any such cause, fired in the direction of our camp, we should not hesitate to return the fire with interest. This message had the effect of calming their nerves a little. Next morning they again came over to our camp, still with the same old tale of N’Dominuki’s treachery. These repeated allegations against N’Dominuki caused us to suspect some ulterior motive. Still another urgent message was sent to N’Dominuki, and this time he sent back word that he was coming with his people, bringing food. He arrived an hour or so after the message, and sending for Ismail and the other Somalis, we held a big “shaurie.” First we asked N’Dominuki why he had not appeared in answer to our frequent messages the day before. He replied that _he and his people had fled to the hills with all their cattle and goods, under the impression that we were going to attack them_! We inquired who gave him that idea, and he said that _a boy from the Somali camp had told him so_. _Then_ we began to see daylight. We inquired where the boy was. N’Dominuki replied that as far as he knew he was still in the Somali camp, so we ordered Ismail to produce him. In a few minutes he was delivered, bound, at our feet. A cross-examination of the Somalis elicited the fact that the boy had deserted from their camp, taking with him one of their sheep. On being again questioned, N’Dominuki stated that the boy had come to him for shelter. He had told the boy that he would not allow him to stop there, but would send him back to his masters, but the artful little boy said, “I have done it for _your_ sake, N’Dominuki. I wished to warn you that the Wasungu and the Wa’Somali are about to attack you.” N’Dominuki believed him, and fled forthwith.