Evening star., 1924-08-03

suddenly, the thick mass of black
savages broke and ran for cover,
being unable to Withstand that deadly
hail of lead. They did not halt until
they reached the summit of the op-
poSite hills once more, and no fur
tfA attack was launched on US, for
they had had enough.
The following afternoon Capt Bois.
with a company of the Kings Africa n
Rifles. arrived at Kisii from Lumbwa.
having also fought their way through
the tribcsmen. They proved a very
welcome addition to the garrison of
kisii Bona.
Three days later, the kisii having
withdrawn in the meantime. we
heard heavy firing in the direction
of the kavirondo country and could
see columns of smoke arising from
burning villages. Bois and ] went
off to investigate. From the top Of
neighboring hill we could see the
military expedition chasing the Kisii
warriors and burning their villages.
But there seemed to be no fight left
in the tribesmen.
| The punitive expedition came into
camp. The following day ! was sent
out with Capt. Sullivan Of the King S
African Rifles to round up some of
the Kissi live stock and burn their
villages We took the Maxim gun
and fifty men with US. At every
manyatta we set fire to the huts and
granaries. and took possession of
! such cattle and sheep as had been
left behind by the kisi. After three
hours of this kind of punishment of
the natives | gave the order to re-
turn to Klsii Bona. We had cap
tured some five hundred head of cat
tie and two thousand or more sheep.
Suddenly as We were marching
back to Kisii by another route, we
heard the war drums boom forth their
defiant call to arms, and the Kisii
charged right up to our rifles. They
suffered very heavy losses; but they
attacked. time and time again, with
great courage. One of my best ma
tive sergeants was killed, and six
others were wounded by spears or
arrows.
One arrow had pierced the sleeve
of my khaki shirt, but had not even
scratched my skin. AS a large pro-
portion of the arrowheads (and this
one, in particularly were soaked in
deadly poison, it was a lucky escape.
After six attacks, the Kisii withdrew
and left fully a hundred dead be-
I hind them. The wounded they car
.ied off with them. We finally
reached kisii- without any further
| molestation.
TWO days later | received secret in
formation of the whereabouts of
the laibon (highpriestess of the tribe).
The Kisii are the only tribe in
Africa who have woman laibon.
t called two of my best men to me,
told them of my informa ton, and
offered them large reward if they
would bring the laibon to me.
They grinned with delight. and
readily accepted my challenge.
"Bwana (Sir). before cock crow you
shall see the laibon," they assured
me.
However clever you may be-"
| laughed. employing the Nandi prov
erb used in connection with boast.
''can you see the back of your necks?'
They looked somewhat abashed for
| q moment, then one of them re-
torted, "One finger will not kill a
louise; but we two shall accomplish
| your orders. bwana."
AS the first rosy tints of dawn
| flecked' the east 1 was called from
my tent. 4On going outside ( found
my two policemen holding a very an
cry and fat native woman firmly by
| each, arm. .|
The laibon." they greeted: me
laconicaliy. This very beautiful
| woman is the sister of many" added
one of them, with grin of amuse-
ment, as he glanced at the .repulsive
| face of the high priestess.
1t was with great elation that ]
| escorted the laibon to the. tent of the
military commander of the punitive
expedition. He was not so pleased
at my coup as he ought to have been
He was due to, retige and this was
his last war-and it had not lasted
many days. Furthermore. this was
the second occasion on which the
East African police had scored OF his
| military command.
There remained only the terms OF