MY WIFE HOLDS THE GUN 229 



and that our danger was over I stepped up to Osa 

 for a word of admiration. She was very pale. 



"I — I guess I have to sit down for a minute, 

 Martin," she said. 



I didn't blame her. My own knees felt a little weak. 



To Osa I attribute in a large measure the comfort 

 and efficiency of our camps on safari. She it w:as who 

 as commissary officer of my party worked out much 

 of the routine as well as the food supplies. 



Near noon we usually stopped and rested men and 

 animals in whatever shade might be available. 

 Then we would be off again soon after the sun had 

 crossed the meridian. The order to stop in the 

 evening came enough before sunset to give plenty of 

 time to make a proper camp. While we were un- 

 packing, our personal boys made a quick fire and hot 

 water for tea. As soon as this was ready we sat and 

 sipped it while the other unpacking went on apace. 

 We didn't sit on the ground and hold our cups in our 

 hands. We sat on folding chairs and our cups werf 

 placed on a folding table. 



By the time we had finished our tea, our baths 

 were ready in our individual tents. Osa never left 

 out her bath at this time of the day, no matter how 

 tired or discouraged she was. To step out of a tub 

 and into fresh clean garments that had been laun- 

 dered and ironed and laid out for one was like starting 

 life all over again. 



