THE TUBURI LAKES 87 



There were many bees in Fianga, and when we tried 

 to rest our jaded persons by taking a humble seat on a 

 tree trunk, " them small honey-fly that live for bite " 

 descended in wrath, and we did not dispute their right 

 to eject us. 



All was so peaceful that we doubted whether it could 

 have been at Fianga that the Tuburi had defied French 

 rule. The people, however, are clever enough to ap- 

 preciate and mark the difference between irresponsible 

 travellers and officials who come to enforce regulations. 



It was our last experience of the Tuburi, for that 

 night we slept at Kerra, amongst the Wadama. They 

 are an intensely black race, blacker even than the 

 Tuburi. They, too, are unclothed, for the skin that 

 hangs from the back of their loins is not a scanty 

 garment, as we had at first imagined, but a seat, 

 carried ready for use in the most handy fashion. It is 

 a luxury not owned by all. 



The Wadama are a tall, finely-built race, and they 

 are armed with great staves, which add to their impos- 

 ing appearance. 



Again the women and children fled at our approach, 

 and even male forms scurried ofl" before us. Once we 

 had pitched camp, however, and our peaceful intentions 

 had become apparent, the dusky warriors slipped down 

 in little groups. They gave each other courage, and 

 gradually came closer and closer, till they commanded 

 an excellent view of the open tents and of ourselves. 

 Then they sat down and watched. 



Presently Aji went across, for the boys wanted to 

 buy corn for their food. The Wadama received his 

 approaches doubtfully, but Aji, who is very small, 

 seized the biggest man, wrestled with and threw him. 

 This made all the others laugh, and his point was 



