196 SPORT IN ABYSSINIA. 



They then tied sticks on to the four posts, so as to 

 make a sort of hollow oblong. These sticks were 

 tied with plaited bark or fibre. Inside, these oblong 

 sticks were lashed both to the foot and head of the 

 bed. Of course such a bed can be made of any 

 height and any length. They then cut a quantity of 

 dry grass and laid it across the frame, and my rugs 

 spread over the dry grass made an excellent, comfort- 

 able, springy couch. I should think such beds would 

 be very good for impromptu hospitals on a cam- 

 paign, using hay or straw instead of grass ; they are 

 exceedingly warm and well ventilated. It took 

 about two hours and a half for four servants to do the 

 whole thing ; that is, for cutting the wood and grass, 

 grubbing the holes, tying the sticks, and completing it. 



I have determined to start for home, as I get no 

 better here. I am indeed an unlucky sportsman, and 

 I always was. Perhaps it is all for the best. I do 

 not know what H. will say to this. I went out for a 

 little walk on the plain yesterday, and saw the herd 

 of hartebeest in the distance, but I did not feel up to 

 stalking them. 



AlarcJi 9. — I am a little better to-day, and the pro- 

 visions I sent for to Barrakee's village have arrived all 

 safe ; so I start for Azho, a large frontier village, to- 

 day. I hope to catch the steamer which I believe leaves 

 Massowah for Suez about the 24th of March. To-day 



