214 DAHLAK 



we'll leave in the boat. There's hardly any petrol, but there 

 are the oars. Weather and sharks permitting we could reach 

 Massawa in two days.' The sea calmed down in the evening. 

 We had a dip to cool ourselves off. We drank some drops of 

 sea water and I managed to catch a pampano, which we 

 roasted that night even though its meat is disgusting. After- 

 wards we made the mistake of sleeping outside the tent to 

 be cooler. We witnessed an incredible spectacle. It did not 

 rain, it did not become much more humid, but the man- 

 groves went black and began to sweat. Soon, sticky water 

 was dripping from the branches, and at the same time, a 

 shower of thousands of black, clammy insects dropped. They 

 dropped half dead into the camp. Our hair and necks and 

 ears were crawling. It was repulsive. We escaped to our tents 

 and hated Africa with all our remaining strength. 

 On the eighth day the Formica arrived. 



