ROOSEVELT IN WILDS OF BRITISH EAST AFRICA 
405 
field of investigation. He was ready to discuss the art of farming 
with a farmer, finance with a banker, politics with a statesman, in 
every case showing a familiarity with the subject and a freshness of 
suggestion that surprised those with whom he conversed. 
His endurance was equally notable. He was ready at any time 
for a thirty miles outing on horseback or on foot as occasion served, 
and might have gone farther if the laden porters could have borne the 
strain. After a hard day’s work in the field and a hearty meal at the 
close, his labor was by no means at an end. At night he might be seen 
at his table, pen in hand, a lamp dangling from a pole over his head, 
writing away until after midnight. Yet when the new day came he 
was often astir before dawn, ready again for the field. It is no wonder 
that his companions pronounced him a “glutton for work.” 
The natives were equally astonished and admiring. They styled 
him Bwana Tumbo, an African title signifying in its literal sense 
“portly master,” but in its usual employment “great chief.” They 
were warranted in this, for rarely had they beheld his equal. As for 
himself, brown as a berry with the bronzing of the African sun, he 
appeared to enjoy with zest every moment of his outing, keeping in 
the prime of health and vowing in his vigorous fashion that he was 
having a “bully good time.” 
While at Nairobi on the occasion of a later visit a public banquet 
was got up in his honor at which the American residents (few in 
number) presented him with a handsome and fitting memorial of his 
trip. This consisted of the foot of a rhinoceros beautifully mounted 
in silver and scooped out so that it would serve as a box. This was 
fitted with a cover of solid silver made to resemble the head of a 
rhinoceros with a horn of polished ivory. 
The British officials and residents, not to be outdone in this gift¬ 
giving, presented him as their memorial an elephant’s foot mounted in 
gold, a magnificent example of the art of the jeweler. 
That the guest of the banquet was highly gratified and deeply 
touched by these testimonials of friendliness and esteem need scarecly 
be said, and that he will long cherish these gifts cannot be doubted. 
Addresses were made during these presentations to which he warmly 
replied, and took occasion, in his usual hearty manner, to predict a 
