Bararetta, 187 
they should have been at so much trouble without 
reward. 
Made a start at 3.30 p.m. In less than an hour we 
came in sight of some Galla huts. We were making 
directly for them when Buiya suddenly stopped. He 
saw what he did not expect, a Galla party with a 
herd of cows. Now, instead of going straight to the 
huts, we were led off in a sideway direction away 
from them, as though it were necessary to keep at a 
respectful distance from those mansions of straw. 
Buiya stationed us beneath the shade of a sm.all tree, 
and then, accompanied by Aba Rufat, walked across 
to the huts, to get the news, and prepare the way 
for us. All this nonsense was very annoying, but as 
it was no use objecting we took it as easy as we could, 
swallowing our bile, though in danger of choking, 
and ransacking our hearts for w^hat patience remained. 
Buiya returned with the information that the party 
at the hamlet had just come back to their home, with 
the hope that the Masai had left the country, and that 
they might now occupy their fields and feed their 
flocks in peace. We were led a short distance farther 
on and again called to a halt. Another "dubbi " took 
place, at the end of which we were told that we might 
occupy two or three huts, which were pointed out to us. 
Taking a stroll we came upon a large herd of torpe," 
and presently our attention was called to a pair of 
ostriches, leisurely striding over the plains in the dis- 
tance; and, as I wished to get a good view of these 
kingly birds on their own ground, we followed them 
up. Knowing their excessive timidity, and their ex- 
traordinary sagacity, we made towards them carefully, 
but they soon became aware of our presence, and 
