FUNDI 



on his second gun being loaded and ready for his 

 need. In the second place, Fundi had given me an 

 empty rifle to carry home. Such a weapon is worse 

 than none in case of trouble: at least I could have 

 gone up a tree in the latter case. I would have 

 looked sweet snapping that old cartridge at any- 

 thing dangerous! 



Therefore after supper we stationed ourselves in 

 a row before the fire, seated in our canvas chairs, 

 and with due formality sent word that we wanted 

 all the gunbearers. They came and stood before 

 us. Memba Sasa erect, military, compact, looking 

 us straight in the eye; Mavrouki slightly bent for- 

 ward, his face alive with the little crafty, calculating 

 smile peculiar to him; Simba, tall and suave, stand- 

 ing with much social ease; and Fundi, a trifle fright- 

 ened, but uncertain as to whether or not he had been 

 found out. 



We stated the matter in a few words. 



"Gunbearers, this man Fundi, when the rhinoc- 

 eros charged, fired Winchi. Was this the work of a 

 gunbearer?" 



The three seasoned men looked at each other with 

 shocked astonishment that such depravity could exist. 



"And being frightened, he gave back Winchi with 

 the exploded cartridge in her. Was that the work 

 of a gunbearer?" 



205 



