THE L.\ND OF FOOTPRINTS 



ing, as though by the way, after we had arrived in 

 camp, on which tribe happened to come in at the 

 head. 



"Ah! Kavirondos came in first to-night," we 

 would remark. "Last night the Monumwezis were 

 ahead." 



And once, actually, by this method we succeeded 

 in working up such a feeling of rivalry that the 

 Kikuyus, the unambitious, weak and despised Kiku- 

 yus, led the van! 



But the first hint of insubordination, of intended 

 insolence, of wilful shirking must be met by instant 

 authority. Occasionally, when the situation is of 

 the quick and sharp variety, the white man may have 

 to mix in the row himself. He must never hesitate 

 an instant; for the only reason he alone can control 

 so many is that he has always controlled them. F. 

 had a very effective blow, or shove, which I found 

 well worth adopting. It is delivered with the heel 

 of the palm to the man's chin, and is more of a lift- 

 ing, heaving shove than an actual blow. Its eifect 

 is immediately upsetting. Impertinence is best 

 dealt with in this manner on the spot. Evidently 

 intended slowness in coming when called is also 

 best treated by a flick of the whip — and forget- 

 fulness. And so with a half dozen others. But 

 any more serious matter should be decided from the 



i68 



