"LITTLE HALF-BROTHER" 69 



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business and it was sometimes the only way they 

 could exist. Besides, they paid the chief in dollars. 

 But the native does not always like to be paid in 

 currency. Cattle are coin of the realm to him, and 

 this chief could see no reason in taking his cattle and 

 paying him in cash for which he had no use. And 

 on investigating I found that the guardsmen, who 

 happened to be acting without an officer, were a little 

 too high-handed. 



As soon as I discovered this I interceded on behalf 

 of the chief, then sat down and wrote on a piece of red 

 paper that I happened to have in my kit, a lot of high- 

 sounding phrases that threatened with imprison- 

 ment any one who ever touched any cattle of this 

 tribe. Of course, it was sheer bluff, for it was any- 

 thing but official. Still, it took effect, for few of the 

 K.A.R. could read; and the chief for years afterwards 

 showed that piece of red paper to all white men 

 who came through. It was for this service that he 

 now sent so many welcome gifts whenever I went 

 forth in the desert, so perhaps I am partly wrong 

 about their capacity for gratitude. When they do 

 not show it, it is because they are children and take 

 from their white masters without question, as we 

 receive rain or any other blessing from the greatest 

 Master of all. 



And certainly they were very kind when we were 

 sick. When Osa had a touch of pnetimonia, they 



