202 UNDER THE AFRICAN SUN 



Soudanese settlement was already provided, but to the native 

 population it was a novelty. For generations they had used the 

 adjoining scrub, the condition of which may be imagined. If 

 plague germs by any chance had been conveyed to this locality, 

 they would have found the exisiting insanitary condition the 

 very thing for fostering their dissemination. 



The official quarters at Kibero consist of three grass-huts. 

 The two larger huts are built in the Swahili style ; one for the 

 European and the other for his servants. On my second visit 

 I found a third hut erected. It was in the Soudanese pattern, 

 circular, and sufficiently large to serve as a kitchen. Of all the 

 methods of thatchinf^, the Swahili is the worst. The roof often 



MY QUARTERS AT KIBERO. 



leaks when quite new, and after a very short exposure to the 

 weather it is almost certain to let the rain pass freely. On my 

 first visit a thunder-storm broke over the place during the night. 

 1 woke up with the drip-drip-drip of the rain falling on me. 

 With difficulty I managed to light a candle, as some of the drops 

 had splashed on the wick, and for some time it only spluttered 

 in response to the match. My bed was soaked, and a score of 

 leaks in other parts of the hut did not hold out much chance 

 of a dry corner to sleep in. My umbrella was not large enough 

 to crouch under and sleep. Looking around in search of some 

 sort of shelter, I caught sight of the ground-sheet of my tent. 

 At once I crept under it. It was rather an undignified position, 

 but a welcome protection all the same. Though not the most 

 cheerful way of spending the night, I knew from experience that 

 it is possible to fare worse. 



