TO THE UASIN GISHU 353 



Corbett, had arranged for a party of Nandi warriors to come 

 over and show me how they hunted the lion. Two Dutch 

 farmers, Boers, from the neighborhood, had also come; 

 they were Messrs. Mouton and Jordaan, fine fellows both, 

 the former having served with De Wet during the war. 

 Mr. and Mrs. Corbett who were hospitality itself had 

 also come to see the sport; and so had Captain Chapman, 

 an English army officer who was taking a rest after several 

 years' service in Northern Nigeria. 



The Nandi are a warlike pastoral tribe, close kin to 

 the Masai in blood and tongue, in weapons and in manner 

 of life. They have long been accustomed to kill with the 

 spear lions which become man-eaters or which molest their 

 cattle overmuch; and the peace which British rule has im- 

 posed upon them a peace so welcome to the weaker, so 

 irksome to the predatory, tribes has left lion killing one 

 of the few pursuits in which glory can be won by a young 

 warrior. When it was told them that if they wished they 

 could come to hunt lions at Sergoi eight hundred warriors 

 volunteered, and much heartburning was caused in choos- 

 ing the sixty or seventy who were allowed the privilege. 

 They stipulated, however, that they should not be used 

 merely as beaters, but should kill the lion themselves, and 

 refused to come unless with this understanding. 



The day before we reached Sergoi they had gone out, 

 and had killed a lion and lioness; the beasts were put up 

 from a small covert and despatched with the heavy throw- 

 ing spears on the instant, before they offered, or indeed 

 had the chance to offer, any resistance. The day after our 

 arrival there was mist and cold rain, and we found no 

 lions. Next day, November 20th, we were successful. 



