" POSHO " 



watch how the angry waters resented the intrusion of 

 these monsters whose trunks were half submerged in 

 the river, acting like a boom, beneath which the waters 

 came out with increased vigour. The boys were en- 

 joying their ablutions and their voices sounded through 

 the little canyon with a ring of happiness and content- 

 ment. Insects buzzed around, now and again a queer 

 little gaily plumaged bird piped away in the morning 

 air, lending an additional enchantment to the music of 

 the rushing waters. 



Now let me sound a warning note to the intending 

 traveller in tropical Africa. Be careful about going into 

 rivers. Apart from the impurities in the water likely to 

 harm the skin, never bathe in cold water in the heat of 

 the day. Never let yourself dry in the heat of the sun, 

 to do so is courting trouble and tempting providence. 

 One poor fellow whom I knew in Bloemfontein, some 

 five years ago, and whose name was well known in 

 Government circles in South Africa, came up to British 

 East Africa a short time ago, and in the heat of the day 

 bathed in a stream and dried himself in the full glare of the 

 sun. Bear in mind this took place within a hundred 

 miles of the equator. The result was that the poor fellow 

 died shortly afterwards. If you want to bathe, the safest 

 way is to take a folding canvas bath. I recommend 

 a canvas bath, because it is so much more compact and 

 more durable than the tin ones, which wear out very fast 

 with the constant knocking about. Bathe at any time 

 between four and six p.m. It is better not to use cold 

 water, except for the face and hands. It is equally 

 dangerous to use water that is too hot. Above all, after 

 a bath beware of the chill after sundown, for a cold is 

 the root of most ills in Africa. A warm bath should be 

 taken every day. 



That night we camped at the Big Tree, about twelve 

 miles from Koba, close to some huts. Looking down on 



53 



