MY WIFE HOLDS THE GUN 231 



shoulders and a fine robust figure. Her name was the 

 rather unpronounceable one of "Guyuaka." Prop- 

 erly used it sounded not unlike the quack of a duck. 



This girl's duties were to take care of Osa just as a 

 maid would at home. Of course she didn't know the 

 first thing about a white woman's life. But she was 

 willing and interested, and she took a childish pride 

 in everything Osa did. As time passed she became 

 more and more devoted, until she was worried every 

 time Osa went out where lions or elephants or other 

 dangerous big game might be met. 



One night Osa had gone further from the base than 

 she had meant to go. I was away on another party. 

 It was very dark and Osa was alone except for her 

 gim-bearer and several native himters. Now and 

 then big shadowy animals crossed the trail ahead of 

 them. When a rhino came too close, the boys scared 

 him away by shouting at the top of their lungs. 

 Every minute Osa expected a leopard to spring at 

 them through the high grass. 



When the party reached camp, Guyuaka was 

 waiting up for Osa with tea. Her hand shook as she 

 held out the cup and it was plain that she had been 

 crying. When Osa questioned her she found out 

 that the black had heard gunshots out on the plains 

 and was positive that Osa had been attacked by 

 wild beasts. That night Osa awakened and found 

 the maid kneeling by her bed praying to the Boran 



