42 ACROSS AFRICA. [Chap. 



March, teiits were pitched and a large lint erected for stores and guard- 

 1813. room. Before sunset tlie donkeys were picketed inside the 

 boma, and the entrance closed as a defense both against wild 

 beasts and robbers. 



The men divided themselves into small kambis or messes, 

 numbering from three to seven each, for the purposes of cook- 

 ing and building their huts. 



Each kambi selects one man for duty as cook, while the re- 

 mainder busy themselves in building, and by this subdivision 

 of labor a camp is formed in a wonderfully short space of time 

 wherever grass and suitable wood are plentiful. 



One man cuts the ridge-pole and undertakes the general su- 

 perintendence, while others prepare forked uprights and small 

 sticks for rafters, provide bark to bind tlie structure together, 

 and grass for thatch and bedding. 



Every bit of grass is carefully rooted out from the inside 

 to prevent tlie stubs injuring the mats. A thick layer of cut 

 grass is also spread on the ground to form a sort of mattress, 

 and on this the mats are laid. 



Some of the more luxurious build small kitandas, or bed- 

 places, to raise them above the damp ground. 



Within a couple of hours after arrival all is completed ; and 

 as soon as the men have been fed, they dispose themselves 

 to sleep until the time for their sunset meal, after which they 

 smoke and yarn till eight or nine o'clock, when most of them 

 turn in for the night. 



Occasionally, however, the silence is broken by some fellow 

 who, thinking he has something important to tell a chum at the 

 other side of the camp, makes no scruple of howling out at the 

 top of his voice, and continuing to shout until he obtains an an- 

 swer. Probably he will then have forgotten what he wished to 

 say, and has thus disturbed the whole camp for nothing. 



After two more days of marching through similar country, 

 the guides advised a halt to procure supplies, and I accordingly 

 set out in the afternoon witli Bombay and a party of men for a 

 village said to be near, leaving Dillon to look after the camp. 



I had taken oH my traxeling kit, and, in order to appear in 

 due form before the eyes of the natives, had dressed in white 

 shirt and trousers and put a green veil round my topee, Dillon 



