-^ Hostile Forces 



But I had worse experiences — dysentery, for instance, 

 breaking out badly among- the natives. It is terrible when 

 this frightful disease spreads through a camp. It appears 

 quite suddenly, perhaps through some infected water 

 which has been too unrestrictedly used ; and even Euro- 

 peans can only partially protect themselves from it through 

 careful boiling of their drinking-water, 



Twice have I myself suffered from dysentery, and 

 know from experience how difficult it is to achieve a 

 radical cure, and how hard it is tor any one to avoid 

 errors ot diet during the convalescent period. Dysentery 

 is justly more dreaded than malaria. 



If the disease breaks out among the natives, it may, 

 in certain circumstances, endanger the whole expedition. 

 For weeks one has to do without the services of one's 

 most useful men, and there are deaths within a few days. 

 "Amekufa, Bwana ! " (" He is dead, master!") aimounces 

 the caravan-guide ; a grave is shovelled out in the vicinity, 

 and there is a hasty burial — haste is imperatively demanded 

 by the conditions of temperature. 



In one instance I was only able to check an epidemic 

 of this frightful disease by altering in all haste my 

 whole plan of cami)aign, and seeking for new watering- 

 places, I have seen some remarkable recoveries. While 

 two doctors, who happened to be staying in my camp, 

 were treating one of my most useful servants, he got 

 no better; at last he refused all F^uropean medicines, 

 and got well, after having lived for fourteen days on 

 nothing but weak tea ! 



Malaria is another great hindrance. Near the caravan- 



655 



