A TREK THROUGH BORNU 



243 



take the runaway's place. The youth chosen decHued 

 the honour, and when pressed waxed passionate and 

 declared himself "fit to kill a man," for which ebul- 

 lition of temper his spears were smashed — a temporary 

 disarmament, as the wooden shafts are easily replaced. 



I then stepped forward and indicated that a man 

 must be found who would enjoy the privilege, and 

 one was produced wreathed in smiles and gesticulat- 

 ing his anticipated bliss — but he was a base deceiver 

 and fled also. The next was not trusted, so a horse- 

 man rode on either side of him, and Lamy concluded 

 the march in dignity, with the exclusive attendance of 

 two cavaliers and one footman. 



The little lions were very light burdens, but they 

 sometimes walked about their cages, and this no doubt 

 upset the balance and made it awkward for their 

 bearers ; and even Mandara and Small Mastaba, their 

 two guardians, later on pleaded an occa- 

 sional headache, so that some other man 

 might take a turn at carrying the 

 precious loads. 



Except on the march the lions were 

 always free and used to scamper about 

 wherever we were, jumping up and 

 kissing us all, but especially Mr Talbot, 

 whom they adored. Their trouble was 

 from burrs, which are so great a pest 

 in Bornu that pincers are made on pur- 

 pose to extract them — and an untended 

 dog may become really ill or even die from their effects. 

 The cubs used to get full of them, and would officiate 

 on each other, gently pulling them out with their 

 teeth, and much of our time was spent in the same 



Pincers and Sheath. 



