He was from Jubaland and had lived many years with white men.

In all save color he was more white than black.

He was handsome, good-tempered, efficient, and so kind to his men that sometimes the discipline of the camp suffered because of it.

It was Abdi's duty to direct the porters in their work of moving camp, distributing loads, pitching camp, getting wood for the big camp-fires, punishing delinquents and, in fact, to see that the work of the _safari_ was done.
One night after we had been most successful in a big lion hunt during the day Abdi came to the mess tent, where we were lingering over a particularly good dinner.

Abdi asked for his orders for the following day and then, seeing that we were in a talkative mood, he stopped a while to join in the stories of lion hunting.
After a time he told two of his own that he had brought from his boyhood home in Jubaland.