1 50 THE LAND OF THE LION 



own tribal law and penal code are often pretty good things. 

 They work well, and if gradually the more brutal side of 

 them were toned down, the native would understand, 

 appreciate, and obey. But to force the Indian* penal code 

 on Massai, Kikuyu, and Nandi, is far worse than to ram a 

 tall hat on a Chinaman. This aspect of the native ques- 

 tion, however, is too serious a one to be dragged in here. 

 I will say what I have to say on it later on. 



Walk round the little camp fires, as cheerily they blaze 

 up, in the cool of the evening. It is a good way to get to 

 know your men. Here one cries out to you, "Careboo" 

 (come and eat with us) ; but this intimate, though respect- 

 ful salutation you will not hear, till the sefari has shaken 

 itself together. I always regarded it as a high compliment, 

 and waited by the fire to taste of the pot. 



The industries of the sefari are various and interesting. 



Here is the lace maker. Who would expect to find so 

 delicate a trade, favoured by a hulking Wanyamwazi? 

 But several men in the ranks are probably busy, making 

 the lace caps, that all natives put a high store by. The 

 materials are strong and expensive, a bit of good white linen, 

 and white silk thread yes, white, and in some wonderful 

 way kept white, even during all the vicissitudes of swampy 

 marching and ubiquitous grease. The instruments, so 

 far as I could discover them, only a fine needle, and a very 

 finely sharpened bit of hard wood. The linen was stretched 

 on a little drum. 



There sits the snuff maker. He carries his two smooth 

 stones, somehow or other, wherever he goes, and right 

 good, though terribly strong, snuff he makes from native 

 tobacco. His income, though small, is steady. 



Then there is the shoemaker and cobbler, hard at work 

 reducing tough eland or giraffe (best skin of all) skin, to 



* Under this code East Africa at present is ruled. It would be hard to conceive of one less well 

 adapted to the natives' needs. 



