20 WILD MEN AND WILD BEASTS. 



and feet, should be well painted over with a strong solution of 

 arsenical soap. The rest of the skin may be rubbed with 

 finely-powdered alum ; but a brush over with arsenical soap 

 is also good. The soap should be kept in a tin pail, and laid 

 on with a strong brush. 



If white ants are numerous about the spot, men or boys 

 should be employed night and day to tap the skins all over 

 with a light stick every half-hour. This will prevent the 

 ravages of these insects, otherwise at the end of two days, on 

 lifting the skin, the hair may be found eaten off in large 

 patches. 



After two days the skin may be taken up, but the head 

 and neck will still be found to be wet, and these parts should 

 be very carefully handled at this time, or the hair will rub off. 

 The skin should now be placed, hair uppermost, where it may 

 get just a little sunning, a free current of air passing under. 



In about three days it should be quite dry, and then should 

 be placed on a broad litter of long bamboos, and carried on 

 men's shoulders from one camp to another. In this way a 

 dozen or more skins can be carried by four men. Should a 

 change of camp be necessaiy before the skin is thoroughly 

 dried, it can be taken up, and by placing it on the top of the 

 heap, and abstaining from handling it, it will travel in safety, 

 and can be again pegged down at the end of the march. This 

 will be found a superior method to any other. If placed on 

 a cart, the skins will be much rubbed and damaged. 



A trustworthy man should accompany the skins when 

 moving from camp to camp ; the coolies are apt to singe the 

 moustaches as a mark of contempt or defiance, and to 

 steal them to wear as charms. When in camp, tent-pegs 

 should be driven in to keep the litter clear of the ground, so 

 that white ants cannot get at the skins. 



