THE KIKUYU 59 



which is likely to lead to dissatisfaction, to use a mild 

 term, it is a feeling that the interests of a small and at 

 present powerless Colony are being sacrificed for the 

 sake of the acquisition of a few Party votes. 



This unfortunate case illustrates only too clearly 

 the difficulties caused and likely to be caused by this 

 penchant for stealing among the tribe. That it will 

 be stamped out before long there can be no doubt ; 

 settlers, officials, police, and justices alike are deter- 

 mined on this, and no efforts are being spared by one 

 or other of them to bring it about. 



I fear the reader will think that I take a some- 

 what pessimistic view of this tribe. Perhaps I do. 

 Let us therefore " be to his faults a little blind" and 

 fix our gaze on his good qualities, which I take to be 

 fecundity and intelligence. 



