Nor did they lack for food, since game being so plentiful, it was only necessary for Alan to walk a few hundred yards and shoot a fat eland, or hartebeest, or other buck which in its ignorance of guns would allow him to approach quite close.
Elephants, rhinoceros, and buffalo were also common, while great herds of giraffe might be seen wandering between the scattered trees, but as they were not upon a hunting trip and their ammunition was very limited, with these they did not interfere.
Having their daily fill of meat which their souls loved, the Ogula oarsmen remained in an excellent mood, indeed the chief, Fahni, informed Alan that if only they had such magic tubes wherewith to slaughter game, he and his tribe would gladly give up cannibalism--except on feast days.
He added sadly that soon they would be obliged to do so, or die, since in those parts there were now few people left to eat, and they hated vegetables.

Moreover, they kept no cattle, it was not the custom of that tribe, except a very few for milk.

Alan advised them to increase their herds, since, as he pointed out to them, "dog should not eat dog" or the human being his own kind.
The chief answered that there was a great deal in what he said, which on his return he would lay before his head men.

Indeed Alan, to his astonishment, discovered that Jeekie had been quite right when he alleged that these people, so terrible in their mode of life, were yet "kind and gentle at heart." They preyed upon mankind because for centuries it had been their custom so to do, but if anyone had been there to show them a better way, he grew sure that they would follow it gladly.

At least they were brave and loyal and even after their first fear of the white man had worn off, fulfilled their promises without a murmur.