THE LEIBON OF NC4AMATAK 



253 



had noticed that they were off guard ; and although we stormed 

 and raved and had every nook and corner searched, it was long- 

 before we recovered the animals. Lemagori was beside himself 

 with rage, and went on about the theft, to one native after 

 another, in such a manner that we were afraid he would run 

 away in his mortification if the thief were not discovered. We 

 told the Turkana that we had a powerful medicine which 

 would destroy them all if our oxen did not come back, and 

 Lemagori at last found out where they were hidden. We were 

 assured we should get them the next day, and so we contented 

 ourselves with sending up two rockets in the evening, just to 

 keep the natives in a proper frame of mind. 



The result of our fireworks was that not a native was to be 

 seen in camp the next day, but we received a visit from 

 Laminatjan, the Leibon of Ngamatak, and a few of his people. 

 He was a very good-natured looking old man, whom Jumbe 

 Kimemeta had already described to US dbS Si modest, upright, 

 reliable fellow. We fully endorsed this opinion. The little 

 present we gave Laminatjan seemed to please him, and when I 

 asked him to stand still to be photographed he complied at 

 once. He had the very longest hair-bag we saw, for it came 

 right down to his knees, and I very much regret that my 

 photograph of him was a failure. He begged us to go to his 

 village, as it was on our way, and we could get all we wanted 

 there before going further. 



The Leibon then took his leave, and we prepared to make 

 reprisals if our oxen did not come back. When noon came 

 and there was still no sign of them, Qualla had instructions to 

 go with a hundred men to the village to which we had been 

 told the thief beloiiged, and drive ofi' a herd of cattle from it. 

 Lemagori had watched our preparations without saying any- 

 thing, but when he realised what Qualla was going to do, he 

 came to Count Teleki and most earnestly entreated him to 



