GARUA AND THE NORTH KAMERUN 23 



The Germans were very good to us, and amongst 

 many other invitations came one to attend some 

 military manoeuvres. Of course we went, and through 

 the drenching rain saw some excellent practice with 

 a galloping maxim, which white officers alone are 

 allowed to fire. The speed with which the black 

 soldiers got it under way was remarkable ; and they 

 gave, too, an impressive display of infantry drill, 

 which ended with the attack and capture of a brick- 

 kiln. Most of the soldiers are imported from the coast, 

 for the Germans do not recruit locally for fear of 

 treachery In time of war. It amused us to hear the 

 commands given in English, which the officers have 

 to learn for the purpose, for the natives will not 

 attempt German. Indeed they all regard English as 

 the white man's tongue, and are utterly amazed If 

 they come across one who does not know it. 

 Their ignorance has its compensations, no doubt ; 

 for, as Herr von Scheffer said, he and his comrades 

 are able to talk with the utmost freedom before 

 their " boys," conscious that not a word is under- 

 stood. 



He was alone in command on the occasion of the 

 review, for Captain Schwarz was preparing to go 

 northwards on a punitive expedition, and two officers 

 were in hospital with blackwater fever. 



Fever seemed no uncommon thing at Garua ; but 

 then the period of service Is long — eighteen months 

 as a minimum. The doctors there recommend a 

 different system of quinine - taking to ours. An 

 Englishman is supposed to take 5 grains each day ; 

 a German varies his quantity, — some days he will go 

 without, and on others take as many as 15 grains. 



