behind. The saline soil supported only stunted 

 vegetation, except for occasional clumps of 

 mushroom^like fungi standing on local eleva^ 

 tions of the ground. We were some distance 

 from camp, making a reconnaissance, when a 

 heavy rain-storm commenced. Perfect shelter 

 was obtained beneath the umbrella of the fungi. 

 As time went on, however, and the downpour 

 did not abate, we grew anxious for the safety 

 of our commissariat. Shortly afterwards we 

 might have been seen marching back to camp 

 each sheltered under one of these novel umbrellas. 

 The adjacent country already showed signs of 

 flooding. It was therefore deemed best to pack 

 our gear and remove it to one of the elevations. 

 The waters continued to rise even after the rain 

 ceased, so that our position was again threat^ 

 ened. We were now thoroughly alarmed, and 

 hastily transferred all our possessions to a 

 flotilla of queer crafts, consisting of fifteen large 

 mushroom^ shaped fungi set in the floating posi^ 

 tion, and lashed together with Alpine rope. 

 Hardly had these preparations been completed 

 than the lapping waters swept us off in the 

 strong current. We were eventually carried into 

 a great salt lake. ^ As the only fresh water 

 available for drinking purposes consisted of that 

 which chanced to have been caught in the bilges 



47 



