THE DANCE OF THE TREES 



tongue. From the very outset this able young chief had 

 entered into the spirit of the occasion, and was putting 

 the full force of his oratory and personality into his task. 

 His last words seemed to raise a great weight from the 

 mind of the assembled throng and they relaxed as I 

 continued. 



"As you all know, the spot upon which we stand to- 

 day is known as Muguga. It is well named Muguga for 

 save a solitary tree, here and three, the whole country, 

 which was once beautiful with woodlands, now lies 

 broken and bare. I call on you then for volunteers, for 

 men who will join together and become Watu wa Miti, 

 Men of the Trees, and who instead of destroying the for- 

 ests will plant and protect trees everywhere." 



I had finished speaking, but there was no applause. 

 The only verbal comment was a chorus of "Namwega" 

 coming from the old men, chiefs and elders. I leant back 

 upon the table in front of which I had been standing and 

 waited for a moment to see what the outcome would be. 

 The captains of N'gomas were in earnest conversation 

 with their clansmen, and little groups of friends were 

 discussing something in which they were deeply inter- 

 ested. In a few moments there was a general hum of con- 

 versation. Slowly, deliberately, these war-clad warriors 

 were making up their minds as to what to do. The cap- 

 tains drew together and again separated, returning to 

 their clansmen. A brief pause, and then the senior cap- 

 tains called for order. Conversation died down and the 

 first volunteers came forward. 



33 



