SMALL ANNOYANCES 



lain in wait for their prey, and on several other occa- 

 sions I have seen similar bush shelters built on river 

 banks or near some favourite water-hole. 



On leaving this place, known, as I discovered 

 later, by the name of Sereda, I again entered a most 

 appalling stretch of bush, through which we had to 

 hack our way with axes and slashers. It was terribly 

 trying work, and we were all truly glad a couple of 

 hours later when the scrub got thinner and progress 

 became easier. Just before eleven we entered a small 

 plain with a dry water-hole in the centre, and I decided 

 to rest here. 



All around the thorn bush had given place to low 

 stunted trees packed close together, leafless and 

 blackened as though they had been burned. The 

 heat was terrific, and in the sun one felt as though one 

 were standing- close to some huge bonfire. Two of 

 my men suddenly collapsed from the heat, one of 

 whom was a Somali. He became delirious and had 

 to be tied down, but he recovered in the evening. 

 After I had eaten a little lunch, I tried to sleep, but 

 a multitude of ants and small flies kept me awake, and 

 the time dragged heavily on, until at two o'clock I 

 gave the signal to begin loading. Very wearily 

 the caravan started once more, shortly after 3 p.m. 

 Four of the water-tanks were now empty, so the sick 

 men were tied on to the lightly loaded camels, but I 

 could not help feeling sorry for them as I walked out 

 once more into that blinding sun. I marched on 

 steadily through fairly open bush ; no water was to be 

 found, and the country seemed very parched and 

 barren. Words fail me to describe the utter dreariness 

 of that desert scene. 



Just before sunset, however, I had a great slice of 



187 



