26 THE LAND OF THE LION 



slight) of its most real thing its people. We are far r 

 too far, away from our fellowmen as it is, and we do not 

 want, when it can be avoided, any widening of the distance 

 between us and them, by unnecessary employment of inter- 

 mediaries. Then, of course, your chosen agent has his 

 ideas of how things should be managed, how the men 

 should be treated, how fed, how led, how camped; and if 

 you leave these matters to him, in all justice, you are bound 

 to give him your support. Even if you find after a time 

 that things are going on around you that you disapprove 

 of, it is difficult to make a change on sefari like swapping 

 horses while crossing a stream it is a hazardous under- 

 taking. You had best leave matters alone till you make 

 a fresh start. From the beginning, the men know that some 

 one man is really responsible. Chopping and changing 

 about they don't understand. A harsh leader is much 

 better than no leader at all. 



But why not face the business yourself? You are 

 really responsible for every man who marches with you. 

 You are their guide, protector, doctor, magistrate, and 

 friend. You cannot hire anyone to discharge these duties 

 for you. You are more than all these you are a visible 

 embodiment and illustration of the great unknown outside 

 world to these poor black folk a world that has given 

 them so far few of its good men, and many of its bad, a 

 world that has harried, tormented, enslaved, dispossessed, 

 and slaughtered them as it seemed best to its most ungodly 

 wisdom. As you treat them, as you hold yourself before 

 them, they will judge of it and you. English rule has 

 already done them good in many ways, and they know 

 it. But then it has also taken from them much that they 

 value, and insists on still taking. Their lands are being 

 steadily taken away. I don't say for a moment that this 

 shouldn't be. I hold it most reasonable that good land, 

 lying untilled or half tilled, should be put to the best use; 



