xvi ACROSS TO THE GUASO NYIRO 205 



new country and drinking its water for the first 

 time. I quite expected to have him on the sick 

 list next day, but to my surprise he was none the 

 worse for his muddy dose, nor was he ever ill 

 throughout the journey. 



We were quickly surrounded by the Samburu, 

 headed by their chief Lesegetetee, who lived in 

 a manyatta close by. They were all very much 

 astonished to see white people and especially a 

 white lady, and a tremendous amount of chattering 

 and speculation went on amongst them about us. 

 The reason of our coming was discussed and our 

 personal appearance criticised pretty freely. Mrs. B. 

 was soon the centre of attraction and great was the 

 admiration which they expressed for her hair, which 

 was very long, and which she wore in a single plait 

 down her back. The warriors love to wear their 

 hair in this fashion, but of course they never get it 

 to grow to anything like the length of Mrs. B.'s. 

 One of the elders ran aside to bring up an old pal, 

 and then pointing to the hair exclaimed, "Sedai, 

 sedai?" (" Isn't it beautiful, beautiful?"). 



They were all very kindly disposed and hospitable, 

 and brought us fresh milk to drink. This would 

 have been a great treat, only unfortunately their 

 milk vessels, which are gourds, are cleaned by being 

 held over the smoke of a greenwood or cow-dung 

 fire, and in consequence of this the odour of the 



