ame," he would cry, "when I think of England's attitude
in that matter."

We pointed out that the dispute had been amicably settled by the best
minds of the time, had passed between the covers of history, and had
given way in immediate importance to several later topics.

"This vacillating policy," he swept on, "annoys me. For my part, I
should like to see so firm a stand taken on all questions that in any
part of the world, whenever a man, and wherever a man, said 'I am an
Englishman? everybody else would draw back!'"

He was an incredible person. However, I was glad to see him; he and a
few others of his kind have consoled me for a number of Americans I have
met abroad. Lady A., with the tolerant philosophy of her class, seemed
merely amused. I have often since wondered how this ill-assorted
partnership turned out.

Two other neighbours of ours dropped in once or twice-twenty-six miles
on bicycles, on which they could ride only a portion of the distance.
They had some sort of a ranch up in the Ithanga Hills; and were two of
the nicest fellows one would want to meet, brimful of energy, game for
anything, and had so good a time always that the grumpiest fever could
not prevent every one else having a good time too. Once they rode
on their bicycles forty miles to Nairobi, danced half the night at
a Government House ball, rode back in the early morning, and did an
afternoon's plowing! They explained this feat by pointing out most
convincingly that the ground was just right for plowing, but they did
not want to miss the ball!

Occasionally a trim and dapper police official would drift in on
horseback looking for native criminals; and once a safari came by.
Twelve miles away was the famous Kamiti Farm of Heatly, where Roosevelt
killed his buffalo; and once or twice Heatly himself, a fine chap, came
to see us. Also just before I left with Duirs for a lion hunt on Kapiti,
Lady Girouard, wife of the Governor, and her nephew and niece rode out
for a hunt. In the African fashion, all these people brought their own
personal servants. It makes entertaining easy. Nobody knows where all
these boys sleep; but they manage to tuck away somewhere, and always
show up after a mysterious system of their own whenever there is
anything to be done.

We stayed at Juja a little over three weeks. Then most reluctantly said
farewell and returned to Nairobi in preparation for a long trip to the
south.

XXIX. CHAPTER THE LAST

With