34^ 



IN THE GRIP OF THE NYIKA 



CHAP. 



band of some three hundred spearmen, under their 

 various chiefs, all brandishing their weapons. 



Things looked very serious, and I must admit I 

 felt somewhat alarmed. I therefore placed the safari 

 in a safe position on a rise overlooking a village, and 

 walked out towards the yelling crowd of practically 



"overlooking a village." 



naked savages, making my way to a spot where I 

 saw a group of elders congregated, evidently dis- 

 cussing the situation. I made the usual peaceable 

 salutation, and we shook hands. I then explained 

 in Swahili, which one or two of the elders under- 

 stood, that I only wanted to pass through their 

 country peaceably, and so long as I was not 



