The Land of Footprints by Stewart Edward White
page 45 of 340 (13%)
page 45 of 340 (13%)
![]() | ![]() |
|
report gravely that he could not find them. For these services he
neither received nor expected special reward. And catch him doing anything outside his strict "cazi" except for US. We were always very ceremonious and dignified in our relations on such occasions. Memba Sasa would suddenly appear, deposit the rifle in its place, and stand at attention. "Well, Memba Sasa?" I would inquire. "I have found the men; they are in camp." Then I would give him his reward. It was either the word "assanti," or the two words "assanti sana," according to the difficulty and importance of the task accomplished. They mean simply "thank you" and "thank you very much." Once or twice, after a particularly long and difficult month or so, when Memba Sasa has been almost literally my alter ego, I have called him up for special praise. "I am very pleased with you, Memba Sasa," said I. "You have done your cazi well. You are a good man." He accepted this with dignity, without deprecation, and without the idiocy of spoken gratitude. He agreed perfectly with everything I said! "Yes" was his only comment. I liked it. On our ultimate success in a difficult enterprise Memba Sasa set great store; and his delight in ultimate success was apparently quite apart from personal considerations. We had been hunting |
|