THE BAGIRIMI 155 



sented to hammock. Mr Talbot cleverly constructed 

 a litter out of our tent ground-sheets : with a light 

 heart I climbed into it, and there learnt a lesson by 

 which I hope others may profit. Unless hammock- 

 bearers are accustomed to the work, it is rash for 

 any but the strongest of travellers to attempt this 

 mode of transport. In any case he will suffer supreme 

 discomfort. He will find himself in close proximity 

 to four odorous bodies, whose owners breathe and 

 groan heavily and often do far worse, regardless of 

 the helpless form a few inches from them. Then 

 they all show independence as to step and direction ; 

 some rest the poles on their shoulders, while others 

 keep them on their heads. No position is adopted 

 for longer than two minutes together, and between 

 each change they shake the hammock as a housemaid 

 does a mat. It does not often happen, but once I 

 was dropped heavily on to my shoulders, and while 

 the back carriers were cursed for their carelessness 

 the front ones showed their efficiency by keeping the 

 poles on their heads. 



The escort addressed many hard words to the 

 delinquents, and they all talked a great deal, but I 

 was left to my fate, till at length I managed to free 

 an arm from the tangle of hammockage on the ground 

 and indicate that I wished either to have my feet laid 

 down or my head raised up. 



Mr Talbot used to dismount now and again to see 

 if he could do anything for me, and on one occasion 

 when he had ridden on ahead our cavalier guide 

 thought it time to make this inquiry. He had 

 watched narrowly and was of an imitative mind. 

 Accordingly he alighted, laid his hand on the ham- 



