2(5 A NATURALIST IN MID-AFRICA. 



taken to pieces. A donkey was caught and six 

 of these long poles tied on each side of it ; then 

 the hides were folded and laid on its back. 



Their caravan must have extended over nearly 

 ten miles, and was, of course, in a most helpless 

 condition. Some of the younger women had such 

 masses of brass wire on their legs that they were 

 almost unable to walk. The number of people 

 suffering from frightful ulcers on the legs was 

 almost incredible, and explains why the Masai are 

 undoubtedly a diminishing and falling race. The 

 Wanandi, Waleikipia, Wasuk, and other races are 

 encroaching upon them, and I do not think they 

 will ever again be the dangerous people which 

 they were a few years ago. 



The Germans about Kilimandjaro seem to have 

 shot any Masai that they saw at sight, and it is 

 those that have fled from German territory that 

 are the worst. Yet they might become of great 

 assistance to Europeans in the management of 

 cattle and in waggon transport, and probably 

 would make excellent soldiers. It is obvious that 

 these ernormous camps, and therefore the Elmoran 

 which live upon them, could be very easily kept 

 in order, but the best policy would be to try and 

 induce them to settle in small parties at different 



After leaving these Masai we saw no human 

 beings, save three Wandarobbo and Major Smith's 

 caravan, till we reached Kavirondo. 



