CHAPTER XXI. 



THE MASAI AND OTHER TRIBES 



A FEW Masai may still be seen on the Athi Plains, 

 but as a rule 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 as a 

 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 



