WITH FLASH-LIGHT AND RIFLE 



insect everywhere in East Africa, except in the moun- 

 tainous regions, and its poisonous sting is deadly to 

 horses, mules, asses, and also to cattle, unless well 

 guarded and well stabled. 



The tents of a caravan are also frequently visited by 

 scorpions. While their sting causes swellings, it is not 

 so dangerous by far as is generally believed. The na- 

 tives do not seem to mind them very much. I have 

 often seen carriers of my caravan putting the reptiles 

 on their closely shaven heads, and allowing them to 

 disport themselves there to the great amusement of 

 the other men. 



The ants are a great nuisance. During a long rest 

 taken by my caravan, I found, after a few days, the 

 bottom of many cases full of holes and many label- 

 strings bitten through by white ants. They may even 

 become dangerous to life when they surprise, in untold 

 numbers, a sleeping person. The wife of a friend of 

 mine, a government official, woke up one night in her 

 tent to find the bed and herself covered with countless 

 termites, in spite of the mosquito-nets. Her shrieks 

 attracted her colored servants, who pulled off her night- 

 gown, and rolled her about in the grass. They finally 

 succeeded 'in removing the ants from their mistress. 

 Many had to be torn from the hair and body. No 

 doubt the lady was rescued just in time from a pain- 

 ful and horrible death. Is it to be wondered that the 

 carriers step high and lively when the cry of the ad- 



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