152 LARGE GAME. chap. in. 



and on such a lovely night in such a climate, little camp- 

 making was necessary. A level place was found to 

 leeward of a row of wild date-trees which bordered the 

 stream ; a few branches were arranged in an irregular 

 semicircle ; an armful or two of grass strewed over the 

 inequalities of the surface, our mats stretched out, and a 

 couple of fires kindled at their feet, and sufficient had 

 been done both for our comfort and safety. It is wonder- 

 ful, however, how soon a comfortable and waterproof hut 

 can be run up when it is wanted, if one only knows how 

 to do it ; and if one has no tent, or, as is so very likely, 

 it has gone astray, how to keep dry during the tremend- 

 ous thunderstorms which so often come on during the 

 night is no despicable knowledge, and, under two con- 

 ditions, namely, the possibility of procuring three posts 

 and the nearness of reeds — both of which are almost 

 always the case with the African hunter — nothing can 

 be simpler, and he may, after a very few minutes' work, 

 defy all that the elements can do, unless the wind unfor- 

 tunately changes after the fire has been made at the hut 

 door, and the smoke persists in coming in and stifling 

 him, as it once did to me. 



As soon as the camping-ground is chosen, a couple 

 of men should be sent out with a hatchet, one or two 

 of which, tomahawk pattern, ought always to be carried, 

 and told to cut two posts of eight or ten feet high, with 

 a fork at one end. It does not much matter even if they 

 are not, as they very likely will not be, perfectly straight, 

 though the ridge-pole, which should be about the same 

 length, is all the better for being so. In the meantime, 

 send as many men as you can spare to cut reeds. You are 



