CARTHAGO DELETA EST 48 1 



keep out wind. Many an ox-cart, with its tongue propped 

 on a box, sheltered two layers of people — one below between 

 the wheels, a second in the cart itself. In the poorer parts 

 of Cartago were regular gypsy-like encampments, families 

 cooking on improvised hearths of paving stones while the 

 dogs skulked about trying to improve the opportunity by 

 snatching at the cooking viands. The plazas were as full 

 of carts and tents as they could be placed. The square 

 containing the Peace Palace was surrounded by a thick 

 wall about three feet high, topped with a low iron fence. 

 This wall was a favorite place for the tents, which were built 

 against it so that it formed one side. The big bandstand 

 in the main plaza sheltered at least a dozen families; canvas 

 enclosed it and the space within was partitioned off by quilts 

 hung on ropes. Six of the guests at the hotel had a tent made 

 and set up in this park, sleeping on benches or on mattresses 

 laid on boards. They had plenty of company as there were 

 many other tents close by, but as this canvas was not water- 

 proof their tents were not very serviceable. The immediate 

 fear of earthquakes having a little abated, thieving began 

 and we heard the police shooting at thieves. There was no 

 real disorder, however, and astonishingly little squabbling 

 or crowding to get good places for tents. The most destitute 

 families were supplied with food by the government. 



The thirteenth, fourteenth and the morning of the fifteenth 

 of April were clear with flying clouds. The afternoon of 

 the fifteenth, however, was increasingly cloudy, hazy, sultry, 

 and hot, with a strange, blinding glare and muttering thun- 

 der. The signs proved only too truthful and before five 

 o'clock the dreaded rain began, light at first but soon settling 

 into a steady hard downpour that lasted several hours, with 

 a few intervals of mist. The effect of such a rain upon the 

 shattered roofs may be imagined. In a very short time the 

 water was pouring into our room in streams. Fortunately 



