74 AFRICAN CAMP FIRES. 



down a native child. Said child, quite naked, 

 sat in the middle of the white dust and howled 

 to rend the heavens whenever he felt himself 

 observed. If, however, the attention of the 

 crowd happened for the moment to be engrossed 

 with the babu, the injured one sat up straight 

 and watched the row with interested, rolling, 

 pickaninny eyes. A native policeman made the 

 centre of a whirling, vociferating group. He 

 was a fine-looking chap, straight and soldierly, 

 dressed in red tarboosh, khaki coat bound close 

 around the waist by yards and yards of broad red 

 webbing, loose, short drawers of khaki, bare knees 

 and feet, and blue puttees between. His man- 

 ner was inflexible. The babu jabbered excitedly ; 

 telling, in all probability, how he was innocent 

 of fault, was late for his work, etc. In vain. 

 He had to go ; also the kid, who now, seeing 

 himself again an object of interest, recom- 

 menced his howling. Then the babu began 

 frantically to indicate members of the crowd 

 whom he desired to retain as witnesses. Evi- 

 dently not pleased with the prospect of appear- 

 ing in court, those indicated promptly ducked 

 and ran. The policeman as promptly pursued 

 and collared them one by one. He was a long- 

 legged policeman, and he ran well. The moment 



