THE LAND OF FOOTPRINTS 



"No, bwana," said Fundi humbly. 



"You, the gunbearers, have been called because 

 we wish to know what should be done with this 

 man Fundi." 



It should be here explained that it is not custo- 

 mary to kiboko, or flog, men of the gunbearer class. 

 They respect themselves and their calling, and would 

 never stand that sort of punishment. When one 

 blunders, a sarcastic scolding is generally sufficient; 

 a more serious fault may be punished on the spot by 

 the white man's fist; or a really bad dereliction may \ 

 cause the man's instant degradation from the post. 

 With this in mind we had called the council of gun- 

 bearers. Memba Sasa spoke. 



"Bwana," said he, "this man is not a true gun- 

 bearer. He is no longer a true porter. He carries 

 a gun in the field, like a gunbearer; and he knows 

 much of the duty of gunbearer. Also he does not run 

 away nor climb trees. But he carries in the meat; 

 and he is not a real gunbearer. He is half porter 

 and half gunbearer." 



"What punishment shall he have.*^" 



"Kiboko," said they. 



"Thank you. Bass!'' 



They went, leaving Fundi. We surveyed him 

 quietly. 



"You a gunbearer!" said we at last. "Memba 



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