238 Wanderings m Eastern Africa. 
So they paddled back. A few minutes elapsed after 
we stepped ashore, and the roUing war-song of the 
Gallas fell unmistakably upon our ears. Faint at 
first, it grew louder and louder, until the black figures 
were discerned moving, one after another, in Indian 
file, among the trees and creepers in our immediate 
vicinity. We stood on one side and allowed them 
to pass until they should have " formed the house,*' 
and prepared to receive us. They seated themselves 
close to the spot upon which we were standing, and 
commenced palaver " forthwith. A little on one 
side we observed three women who were trying to 
catch a glimpse of us, perhaps in vain, for we were 
almost hidden by trees. " Turn round and face 
about," said some of our friends, "the ladies are 
anxious to see you." Flattering as this was, we 
thought there was time enough yet. 
Palaver commenced at once. We expected to have 
been called, but were not ; they had another way of 
doing business. Bolio Boneat — brother to Dado 
Boneat the late great chief, who was killed by the 
Masai — and Hirebaya, were appointed by the 
council, to talk with us alone. Compliments over, 
we explained the object of our visit. Bolio Boneat 
replied : " We are glad to see you. You are to us 
as our children and brothers, though we never saw 
the like of you before. We have brought you a cow, 
a small one, nevertheless take it, it will afford you 
food for to-day. We will now return to our friends 
for further consultation.'' 
Coming back to us, Bolio said, All is well, you 
are our children and brothers. We are glad you 
have come. You are in our hands, everything you 
