MEN OF THE TREES 



selves for the initiation ceremony," and indicated the 

 hour and day. 



I must explain that a few days following the in- 

 auguration of the Dance of the Trees, two of the orig- 

 inal members of the Watu wa Miti had come to my camp 

 and informed me that they had lost their badges. I was 

 unable to decide whether this had been actually the case 

 or if it was merely a ruse to obtain two more for friends. 

 It was obvious that the organization must be safe- 

 guarded. I only wanted to enlist those who had the 

 abihty to perform their promises and so I said, "This is a 

 serious matter. Suppose those badges have been picked up 

 by men who have not taken the promise. If that is the 

 case, something must be done to protect our brother- 

 hood." I immediately sent for Chief Josiah and consulted 

 with him as to the best move to take. We eventually de- 

 cided that it was necessary to immediately call a meeting 

 of the original members and give them a secret sign and a 

 pass-word. Gradually, there came into being a simple 

 initiation ceremony, which was intended to express the 

 spirit which characterized the movement. 



40 



