The three seasoned men looked at each other with shocked astonishment that such depravity could exist.
“And being frightened, he gave back Winchi with the exploded cartridge in her. Was that the work of a gunbearer?”
“No, bwana,” said Fundi humbly.
“You, the gunbearers, have been called because we wish to know what should be done with this man Fundi.”
It should be here explained that it is not customary to kiboko, or flog, men of the gunbearer class. They respect themselves and their calling, and would never stand that sort of punishment. When one blunders, a sarcastic scolding is generally sufficient; a more serious fault may be punished on the spot by the white man's fist; or a really bad dereliction may cause the man's instant degradation from the post. With this in mind we had called the council of gunbearers. Memba Sasa spoke.
“Bwana,” said he, “this man is not a true gunbearer. He is no longer a true porter. He carries a gun in the field, like a gunbearer; and he knows much of the duty of gunbearer. Also he does not run away nor climb trees. But he carries in the meat; and he is not a real gunbearer. He is half porter and half gunbearer.”
“What punishment shall he have?”
“Kiboko,” said they.
“Thank you. Bass!”
They went, leaving Fundi. We surveyed him, quietly.