78 AFRICA SPEAKS 



ready for the picture taking, while Mike pow-wowed 

 with the chiefs below. It seems there was a super- 

 gtitition connected with the opening and closing of the 

 thorn gates to the boma, that no one was permitted 

 to touch them out of time for fear the spirits of the 

 tribal forefathers would be offended, but Mike dropped 

 a few remarks now and then about the men on top of 

 the cabs, about the sugar, the posho, and the sliillings. 

 In this way he managed to keep the cattle where we 

 wanted them until it was hght enough to photograph. 

 After about two hours work, during which time we 

 secured all the scenes we needed, including the driving 

 of the cattle in and out of the inclosure several times, 

 we turned them back to their herders. 



While I was putting my cameras away several 

 El Moran surrounded the truck and nonchalantly 

 leaned against their spears. I wasn't sure whether 

 they meant harm or were only curious until the old 

 chief came up with a smile upon his leathery face, 

 and spitting on his hands as a sign of friendship, told 

 me how glad he was of the opportunity to cooperate I 



