AFRICAN CAMP FIRES 



down the one, and we made brief excursions out 

 into the other. Each night we camped near the 

 sound of the swift-running, water; where the winds 

 rustled in the palms; the acacias made lacework 

 across the skies; and the jungle crouched in velvet 

 blackness close to earth, like a beast. 



Our life in its routine was regular; in its details 

 bizarre and full of the unexpected. Every morning 

 we arose an hour before day, and ate by lantern 

 light and the gleam of fires. At the first gray we 

 were afoot and on the march. F. and I, with our 

 gunbearers, then pushed ahead down the river, 

 leaving the men to come along as fast or as slowly 

 as they pleased. After about six hours or so of 

 marching, we picked out a good camp site, and 

 lay down to await the safari. By two o'clock 

 camp was made. Also it was very hot. After 

 a light lunch we stripped to the skin, lay on 

 our cots underneath the mosquito canopies, and 

 tried to doze or read. The heat at this time of 

 day was blighting. About four o'clock, if we hap- 

 pened to be inspired by energy, one or the other of 

 us strolled out at right angles to the stream to see 

 what we could see. The evening was tepid and 

 beautiful. Bathed and pa jama-clad we lolled in 

 our canvas chairs, smoking, chatting, or listening 

 to the innumerable voices of the night. 



216 



