WITH FLASH-LIGHT AND RIFLE 



convinced that the men of the steppe were acquainted 

 with the most ancient biblical myths before these were 

 known in Babylon. 



The pure-blooded tribes of the Masai have clear-cut 

 features, well-formed feet and hands, and are of mag- 

 nificent physique, not one of the warrior class being 

 under six feet in height. 



Although Merker's views may not be shared " in toto " 

 by scientists, he deserves high credit for having devoted 

 every leisure hour, while he was stationed in Masailand, 

 to the study of this interesting people, their institutions, 

 customs, and language. 



The Masai, since time immemorial, have been the 

 nomads and the rulers of the high steppe of East Africa. 

 Their warriors, "El morane," roamed over the whole 

 country keeping the other tribes in subjection, and en- 

 riching their own people's cattle-herds by fair or foul 

 means, for it cannot be denied that the Masai have 

 made of cattle-stealing a fine art. But, just as the ad- 

 vance of civilization was fatal to the North American 

 Indian, so the Masai suffer from coming in contact with 

 the white man and from being subjected to his rule. 

 Their very being, their existence as a people, depends 

 on their manner of living in the wide steppe. If de- 

 prived of their unbounded liberty, or checked in it, 

 they will surely disappear as a people. We cannot help 

 sympathizing with them in their plight, as we did with 

 the Indian heroes of Cooper's novels, for we admire 



414 



