CHAPTER III 



OUE "BOYS" AND SWAHILIS IN GENEEAL 



Engaging Baruku — the Swahili's descent — their characteristics — 

 wearing apparel — the changing fashions — medicine- men — 

 music and dancing. 



Before leaving Mombasa we thought it advisable 

 to take on a good boy to attend to our wants ; in 

 fact it is necessary, as one's boy attends to one's 

 wants even in the hotel. While in the hotel I de- 

 manded, when at dinner, bread or something, of a 

 boy standing behind some one's chair. He only 

 stared at me, thought me mad . I expect, and did 

 not move an inch. Then I discovered he was the 

 man's private boy, not a hotel waiter, for your own 

 private boy attends to your wants at meals. 



A boy who had been in the service of a previous 

 officer belonging to the King's African Rifles came 

 to the hotel and offered himself to us. He appeared 

 in the usual dress of kanzu and white cap, and 

 wore a funny, sullen and rather nervous expression. 

 It was not exactly a prepossessing face, but at that 

 time I was not used to the Swahili type — afterwards 

 I found you get very used to your servants' faces, 

 and if nice boys, end by even liking their faces, and 



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