xxxin THREE SLAVE GIRLS 291 



replied that they entertained no such desire, for, 

 their homes being many days distant and the 

 journey thither through a hostile country, it was 

 more than likely that they would be captured on 

 the way and enslaved once more. My men's wives, 

 too, had had a long conversation with them since 

 their arrival and, with feminine love of match- 

 making, had, no doubt, pointed out the fact that 

 there were several eligible young men in my 

 caravan. Moreover, I had not failed to notice the 

 behaviour of my men, who ever since the arrival of 

 the three girls, had been hovering round them like 

 flies round a honey-pot, ogling them as amorous 

 young men are wont to ogle pretty young women. 

 Now, it chanced to be the day on which I call all 

 my men together and give them money to purchase 

 food, so when they were all standing in rank, I 

 brought the girls before them and, pointing out 

 what a fine handsome lot of fellows they were, said 

 each might, if she wished, choose a husband from 

 the number. As for my boys, they were one and 

 all desirous of becoming husbands there and then, 

 and were shouting, ' Bwana, I should like to marry 

 this one! Bwana, I'll marry that one!' But the 

 girls thought that the choice of a husband was 

 a matter not to be lightly entered upon, and 

 said they would wait a little while and live 

 among my natives ere they selected their victims. 



U 2 



