NAIOKOTUKU. 367 



" No one but myself shall ever use this knife," 

 said he. 



He had no pockets, but he tucked it away in 

 his armpit, clamped the muscles down over it, 

 and apparently forgot it. At least he gave it no 

 further attention, used his hands as usual, but 

 retained it as securely as in a pocket. 



'' To-morrow," he promised at parting, " very 

 early in the morning, I will send my own son and 

 another man to guide you ; and I will send a 

 sheep for your meat." 



We arose " very early," packed our few affairs, 

 picked out four porters and sat down to wait. 

 Our plan was to cruise for five days with as light 

 and mobile an outfit as possible, and then to 

 return for fresh supplies. Billy would take 

 charge of the main camp during our absence. 

 As advisers, we left her Abba Ali, Memba Sasa, 

 and Mohammed. 



At noon we were still waiting. The possibility 

 of doing a full day's journey was gone, but we 

 thought we might at least make a start. At 

 one o'clock, just as we had about given up hope, 

 the Masai strolled in. They were beautiful, tall, 

 straight youths, finely formed, with proud fea- 

 tures and a most graceful carriage. In colour 

 they were as though made of copper bronze, with 



