ng Hassan's right to worship in any way he
pleased and the life and activities of the camp flowed along smoothly as
if unconscious of the white-robed figure whose voice sang out his
praises of Allah. The whole camp seemed to have a deep respect for
Hassan.

Abdi, our head-man, was also a Somali, but of a different tribe. He was
from Jubaland and had lived many years with white men. In all save color
he was more white than black. He was handsome, good-tempered, efficient,
and so kind to his men that sometimes the discipline of the camp
suffered because of it. It was Abdi's duty to direct the porters in
their work of moving camp, distributing loads, pitching camp, getting
wood for the big camp-fires, punishing delinquents and, in fact, to see
that the work of the _safari_ was done.

One night after we had been most successful in a big lion hunt during
the day Abdi came to the mess tent, where we were lingering over a
particularly good dinner. Abdi asked for his orders for the following
day and then, seeing that we were in a talkative mood, he stopped a
while to join in the stories of lion hunting.

After a time he told two of his own that he had brought from his boyhood
home in Jubaland. They were so remarkable that you don't have to believe
them unless you want to.

[Drawing: _Abdi's Uncle and the Man-Eaters_]

ABDI'S STORY ABOUT HIS UNCLE AND THE LIONS

"Once upon a time my uncle, who was a great runner, encountered six
man-eating lions sitting in the road. He took his spear and tried to
kill them, but they divided, three on each side of the road. So he
took to his heels. To the next town it was twelve hours' march, but he
ran it in ten hours, the lions in hot pursuit every minute of the
time. When he reached the town he jumped over the thorn bush zareba,
and the lions, close behind him, jumped over after him and were killed
by his spear, one after the other."

ABDI'S STORY ABOUT THE WILY SOMALI AND THE LION

"Once upon a time there was a Somali who was warned not to go down a
certain road on account of the man-eating lions. But he started out,
armed with knife and spear. For a week he marched, sleeping in the
trees at night and marching during the day. One day he suddenly came
upon a big lion sitting in the road. He stopped, sharpening a little
stick which he held in his left hand. Then he wrapped his 'tobe' or
blanket around his left hand and arm. He then advanced to the lion