348 
TO THE UASIN GISHU [ch. xii 
welcome to the weaker, so irksome to the predatory, 
tribes—has left lion-killing one of the few pursuits in 
which glory can be won by a young warrior. When it 
was told them that if they wished they could come to 
hunt lions at Sergoi, eight hundred warriors volunteered, 
and much heartburning was caused in choosing the 
sixty or seventy who were allowed the privilege. They 
stipulated, however, that they should not be used 
merely as beaters, but should kill the lion themselves, 
and refused to come unless with this understanding. 
The day before we reached Sergoi they had gone out 
and had killed a lion and lioness. The beasts were put 
up from a small covert and despatched with the heavy 
throwing spears on the instant, before they offered, or, 
indeed, had the chance to offer, any resistance. The day 
after our arrival there was mist and cold rain, and we 
found no lions. Next day, November 20th, we were 
successful. 
W e started immediately after breakfast. Kirke, 
Skally, Mouton, Jordaan, Mr. and Mrs. Corbett, Cap¬ 
tain Chapman, and our party were on horseback. Of 
course, we carried our rifles, but our duty was merely to 
round up the lion and hold him if he went off so far in 
advance that even the Nandi runners could not over¬ 
take him. We intended to beat the country toward 
some shallow, swampy valleys twelve miles distant. 
In an hour we overtook the Nandi warriors, who 
were advancing across the rolling, grassy plains in a long 
line, with intervals of six or eight yards between the 
men. They were splendid savages, stark naked, lithe 
as panthers, the muscles rippling under their smooth 
dark skins. All their lives they had lived on nothing 
but animal food—milk, blood, and flesh—and they were 
fit for any fatigue or danger. Their faces were proud, 
