SCOUTING IN THE ELEPHANT FOREST 



now if we return to the manyatta to-morrow, we can 

 march two hours to where are some Wanderobo; 

 and the Wanderobo know this country and will take 

 you through it. If it pleases you, one of us will go 

 get the Wanderobo, and the other will stay with you 

 to show good faith." 



We rolled our eyes at each other in humorous 

 despair. Here at the very beginning of the recon- 

 naissance we had run against the stone wall of 

 African indirectness and procrastination. And 

 just as we thought we had at last settled every- 

 thing! 



"Why," we inquired, "were not the Wanderobo 

 sent at first, instead of yourselves?" 



"Because," they replied with truly engaging 

 frankness, "our chief, Naiokotuku, thought that 

 perhaps we might find elephant here in the country 

 we know; and then we should get for ourselves all the 

 presents you would give for finding elephant. But 

 the elephant are not here now; so the Wanderobo 

 will get part of the present." 



That was certainly candid. After some further 

 talk we decided there was no help for it; we must 

 return to camp for a new start. 



At this decision the Masai brightened. They 

 volunteered to set off early with Leyeye, to push 

 ahead of us rapidly, and to have the Wanderobo in 



339 



