THE USES OF A CAMP-FIRE 



" khan-samah," clad in snow-white garments, is the most 

 conspicuous figure; but there is a troubled look upon his face, 

 despite his smiling welcome, for the breakfast hour has long 

 gone past, and he is conscious that the meal is over-cooked ! 

 However, his fears are soon dispelled as the sahib, tubbed 

 and clothed in cool apparel, presently appears, and, with 

 an appetite born of his long abstinence, demolishes each 

 dish as it is served. Then, with mind and body both re- 

 freshed, I was ready to enjoy some hours of restful ease, 

 lounging in a long Indian chair, under the shelter of the 

 trees, happy in the knowledge that no official worries 

 could assail me till the morning. 



To one who for six long, weary months has been the 

 victim of a monotonous routine sweltering through the 

 day in the atmosphere of a hot and crowded police office 

 the fascination of the situation may be readily imagined. 

 But if the afternoon passed pleasantly, the evening was 

 even more enjoyable, for as the sun, setting in rosy 

 splendour, sank behind the trees and the birds commenced 

 their noisy preparations for the night, a gang of " choki- 

 dars " appeared, dragging huge logs, which they piled into 

 a stack, and filling the space beneath with jute stalks, dry 

 and combustible as timber, set the pile alight. 



This is the " watch-fire " for the camp, which, with little 

 or no attention, lasts throughout the night, serving many 

 a useful purpose in addition to its original intention. It 

 is usually placed in the centre of the camp, thus counter- 

 acting the effects of the heavy dew which might otherwise 

 prove malarious. In " jungle " districts, too, it serves to 

 scare any wild animals that may come prowling round the 

 tents, while its warm and cheery influence spreads through- 

 out the camp, lighting up dark corners and creating a 

 feeling of comfort and security. To the solitary white 

 official it is an inestimable boon, for after his lonely dinner 

 he can sit by it and smoke, while learning from those around 

 him the politics of the place, or discussing with his " shikari " 

 the sport to be obtained. Much valuable information is 

 often picked up in this way, and many a crime has been 

 discovered, and not a few " man-eaters " brought to book 

 from information gathered at such councils round the camp 

 fire. 



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