184 AFRICA SPEAKS 



to themselves, and proving that they had not been 

 overrated in regard to their prowess with the spear. 



As soon as possible, I inquired concerning Mr. 

 Lieurance, and was happy to find that he was only 

 slightly shaken by his fall. He had tumbled between 

 the wheels, the truck passing over but not touching him. 



This lion spearing had furnished the greatest thrill 

 that anyone present had ever experienced. One of the 

 spectators, Lieutenant Commander Glen Kidston, had 

 just crashed his plane in the great sudd swamps of the 

 Sudan, while flying low over some wild-elephant herds, 

 but he said he received a greater thrill out of the Hon 

 show. These fifteen waiTiors had proven themselves 

 to be not only fearless but of high intelligence, while 

 their chief, Olaitorio, had undertaken the- task with a 

 vim and comprehension which showed him to be a real 

 leader among his people. The subchief, Koi Muren, 

 *'long warrior," had speared his Hon on a previous 

 occasion and was anxious to duplicate the feat, but 

 neither of the two lions charged close enough for him 

 to place liis spear. He was a fine actor, however, and 

 a great help to us in many other ways. 



After the kiUing of each lion the spearmen would 

 lift him from the spot on which he died and bear him 

 away for a short distance. Then slowly to the tune 

 of an ancient chant they gently placed back on the 

 earth of his native veldt their age-old enemy, who 

 kiUed their cattle and upon occasion members of the 

 tribe, but who, nevertheless, always fought and died 

 like a gentleman. It is part of their ceremony that no 

 hon shall remain on the spot where it has met its death. 

 Thus do the gallant Nandi pay honor in this parting 

 tribute to a vanquished but noble foe. 



