CHAPTER XXI. 
THE MASAI AND OTHER TRIBES 
A Few Masai may still be seen on the Athi Plains, 
but as arule they keep away from the railway, the 
majority of the tribe being now settled on the 
Laikipia Plateau. Formerly they were by far the 
most powerful native race in East Africa, and when 
on the war-path were the terror of the whole country 
from the furthest limits of Uganda to Mombasa 
itself. Their numbers have latterly become greatly 
reduced through famine and small-pox, but the 
remnant of the tribe, more especially the men, are 
still a fine, lithe, clean-limbed people. While I was 
stationed in the Plains I managed to have an inter- 
view with the chief, Lenana, at one of his “royal 
residences,” a kraal near Nairobi. He was affability 
itself, presenting me with a spear and shield asa 
memento of the occasion ; but he had the reputation 
of being a most wily old potentate, and I found this 
quite correct, as whenever he was asked an awkward 
