AFRICAN CAMP FIRES 



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 Mohamet. 



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 features and a 

 most graceful carriage. In colour they were as 

 though made of copper bronze, with the same glitter 

 of high lights from their fine-textured skins. Even 

 in this chilly climate they were nearly naked. One 

 carried a spear; the other a bow and arrow. 



Joyously we uprose and sat down again. We 

 had provided an excellent supply of provisions for 

 our guides; but on looking over the lot they dis- 

 covered nothing, absolutely nothing, that met their 

 ideas. 



" What do they want ? " we asked Leyeye in despair. 



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