CHAPTER FOUR 



PROWLERS OF THE PLAINS 



SEVERAL days were spent at Mike's shamba, or 

 farm, making final preparations for our trek into 

 Tanganyika. Mike's wife, Mona, served us many 

 enjoyable meals at her table. It was much more com- 

 fortable here than camping. 



Just before leaving Nairobi we had noticed the town 

 was being decorated and learned that they were 

 expecting the Prince of Wales. His visit so upset the 

 regular routine of life in the capital that it was no use 

 trying to do anything rnitil after the official welcome 

 was over. So we all decided we might as well be in 

 the receiving hue ourselves. We found that most of 

 the Europeans, Indians, and blacks who were able to 

 motor, ride a bicycle, or walk into Nairobi had the 

 same idea. 



He arrived on a dull and windy day with the dust 

 blowing in clouds aU over the town, and it is reported 

 that the Prince's first remark was, "What a damn 

 dusty place!" If he did say that, he surely hit the 

 nail on the head. 



There was a great gathering at Government House, 

 and to this shauri came chiefs and warriors from many 

 tribes to honor the Prince. The show was arranged 

 by local officials, not only for the Prince, but to impress 

 the natives with the importance and power of the 

 white man. Savage psychology, however, has some 



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