Geography and Ethnology again, 469 
call themselves ''Orloikob" (possessors of the soil). 
They are the Greeks and Trojans of Eastern Africa, 
and are the terror and admiration of most of her 
tribes. They have already been partially described, 
and their exploits have been constantly referred to in 
the course of the narrative. Physically they are a 
splendid people ; and for energy, intrepidity, and 
dash, they are without their equals in Africa ; but 
they are cruel and remorseless to the last degree. 
They sweep over this land like a hurricane, carrying 
devastation and death everywhere. Believing that 
heaven has designed all cattle for them, they pounce 
upon it wherever it is to be found, and fight like 
demons to become its possessors. No tribe having 
cattle is safe ; at any time they are liable, not only 
to be robbed of it all, but butchered for the crime of 
breeding and holding it. 
Both Masai and Wakuavi are republican in govern- 
ment, but they are much influenced by a recognised 
sorcerer-chief, called Leiboni. The whole of the 
young men, called El Moran, constitute the army, 
while the more advanced in life remain at home to 
protect the women, children, and flocks. Their arms 
are a huge spear, the blade nearly two feet long ; an 
oval shield, made of buffalo hide, large enough to 
cover the whole person; and a club, often made out 
of a rhinoceros' horn, a weapon which they throw 
with marvellous precision, and with which they do 
great execution. For a battle-field they prefer an 
open plain, and avoid forests and mountains ; and 
they do not attack purely agricultural peoples ; 
hence, in diff"erent parts of their own country are 
found tribes in the hills and forests who follow these 
