204 THE ODYSSEY OF AN ANIMAL COLLECTOR 
two natives in charge of the lorry. Cooking utensils and buckets, 
etc., were tied on with string, and the din as we thundered along 
was terrific. 
Arrived at Prang, our first project was to get some quarters built 
near the river, for we had decided to risk the dangers of dwelling 
where insect pests were most numerous. To offset this we would 
be able to enjoy the beautiful river scenery and be right among the 
bird-life and so save constant journeyings to and fro, which in the 
heat of the Gold Coast was in itself a big consideration. 
Fortunately the native Chief of the district was very friendly 
and helpful, and having learned our requirements he immediately 
ordered about a hundred natives to begin building grass huts to 
house us, our servants, and the birds. With two natives beating 
tom-toms furiously to spur the others on, the huts sprang up like 
mushrooms. Every native had an appointed task and while huts 
were being erected some natives were cutting grass, others poles, 
and a few making string from the inner bark of trees for binding 
the thatch, and some of the old men, well experienced at the job, 
were making grass mats for the walls. 
As the huts neared completion the rhythmic music from the 
tom-toms became faster and louder until, when the last piece of 
thatch was laid, the drummers were in a frenzy. They had done 
their job and had spurred their otherwise lethargic fellow-tribes- 
men into action in a big way. There was a sudden relaxation and 
the assembly made its way back to resume normal village life, 
while we moved into our riverside bungalow, where all was now 
tranquil. 
Our squirrels were soon liberated and thoroughly approved of 
the new quarters, especially the thatch, into which they tunnelled 
and used as a snug sleeping place. Nippy, one of the Gambian 
Tree Squirrels, soon established himself as the villain of the trio 
and was always in mischief. It is extraordinary how individual 
squirrels vary in temperament. Nippy was a likable fellow but 
was never really fond of being handled and became bad-tem- 
pered if corrected when doing something naughty, which was 
frequent. His best effort, I think, was when he discovered that 
Delys’s face cream was not only good for the face but even better 
for the stomach. We found him sitting by the jar, clucking loudly, 
