XXXIII 
THREE SLAVE GIRLS 
291 
replied that they entertained no such desire, for, 
their homes being many days distant and the 
journey thither through a hostile country, it was 
more than likely that they would be captured on 
the way and enslaved once more. My men’s wives, 
too, had had a long conversation with them since 
their arrival and, with feminine love of match¬ 
making, had, no doubt, pointed out the fact that 
there were several eligible young men in my 
caravan. Moreover, I had not failed to notice the 
behaviour of my men, who ever since the arrival of 
the three girls, had been hovering round them like 
flies round a honey-pot, ogling them as amorous 
young men are wont to ogle pretty young women. 
Now, it chanced to be the day on which I call all 
my men together and give them money to purchase 
food, so when they were all standing in rank, I 
brought the girls before them and, pointing out 
what a fine handsome lot of fellows they were, said 
each might, if she wished, choose a husband from 
the number. As for my boys, they were one and 
all desirous of becoming husbands there and then, 
and were shouting, ‘ Bwana, I should like to marry 
this one! Bwana, I’ll marry that one!’ But the 
girls thought that the choice of a husband . was 
a matter not to be lightly entered upon, and 
said they would wait a little while and live 
among my natives ere they selected their victims. 
u 2 
