become like two long elastic loops, hanging down upon the shoulder, and capable of accommodating anything up to and including a tomato can.  When in fatigue uniform these loops are caught up over the tops of the ears, but on dress parade they accommodate almost anything considered ornamental.  I have seen a row of safety pins clasped in them or a number of curtain rings; or a marmalade jar, or the glittering cover of a tobacco tin.  The edges of the ears, all around to the top, are then pierced.  Then the insertion of a row of long white wooden skewers gives one a peculiarly porcupinish look; or a row of little brass danglers hints of wealth.  Having thus finished off his head, your savage clasps around his neck various strings of beads; or collars of iron or copper wire, polished to the point of glitter; puts on a half-dozen armlets and leglets of the same; ties on a narrow bead belt, in which is thrust a short sword; anoints himself all over with reddened castor oil until he glistens and shines in the sun; rubs his legs with white clay and traces patterns therein; seizes his long-bladed spear, and is ready for the city.  Oh, no!  I forgot—­and he probably came near doing so—­his strip of ’Mericani.[9] This was originally white, but constant wear over castor oil has turned it a uniform and beautiful brown.

The purpose of this is ornament, and it is so worn.  There has been an attempt, I understand, to force these innocent children to some sort of conventional decency while actually in the streets of Nairobi.  It was too large an order.  Some bring in clothes, to be sure, because the white man asks it; but why no sensible man could say.  They are hung from one shoulder, flap merrily in the breeze, and are always quite frankly tucked up about the neck or under the arms when the wearer happens to be in haste.  As a matter of fact these savages are so beautifully and smoothly formed; their red-brown or chocolate-brown skin is so fine in texture, and their complete unconsciousness so genuine that in an hour the newcomer is quite accustomed to their nakedness.

These proud youths wander mincingly down the street with an expression of the most fatuous and good-natured satisfaction with themselves.  To their minds they have evidently done every last thing that human ingenuity or convention could encompass.

These young men are the dandies, the proud young aristocracy of wealth and importance; and of course they may differ individually or tribally from the sample I have offered.  Also there are many other social grades.  Those who care less for dress or have less to get it with can rub along very cheaply.  The only real essentials are (a) something for the ear—­a tomato can will do; (b) a trifle for clothing—­and for that a scrap of gunny sacking will be quite enough.