CHAPTER III 



WE DIG IN 



IT took us several months to get built and organized 

 at Lake Paradise because in effect we were estab- 

 lishing a permanent colony where Osa and I expected 

 to spend most of our lives thenceforward. 



Of course there was strong temptation to start 

 right in on our work of hunting and exploration. 

 But we didn't succumb. There were many weeks of 

 work ahead before our rough camp could become a 

 permanent base. 



Osa and I were determined to be comfortable. 

 Our theory was — and still is — that the best work in 

 the field is done when one is in the best of health and 

 good spirits. Nothing means more to health than 

 cleanliness of food and person, and the surroundings 

 in which both are enjoyed. 



Promptly otir small army of half -naked blacks got 

 busy under the direction of their leaders and set 

 about building our village. We could have gotten 

 along with a small lodge for ourselves and lean-tos 

 for the natives. But our plan was to have a real 

 residence, mess shack, laboratory, store-houses, dry- 



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