174 WAR: CAMPAIGNING IN EAST AFRICA 



one ever appeared to have any idea of attempting 

 to ask for information. The prisoner slept that 

 night in a little detached room close to the railway 

 station, perhaps formerly a lamp and oil store. 

 In the night came further excitement, for several 

 boxes of old ammunition stored in my room 

 were remembered, and these had to be taken 

 outside lest, I suppose, the desperate character 

 within should attempt to blow his way out of 

 prison. 



The journey was resumed next day, and we 

 arrived at Dar-es-Salaam about 9 p.m., to find the 

 inhabitants of that town, in true colonial custom, 

 assembled to meet the train. My destiny was 

 the gaol, where the warder, who, not really a bad 

 sort, welcomed me with the following information : 

 " Frankreich is caput M (France is done for), 

 " England hat kein geld mehr " (England has no 

 more money), M und Russland ist auch caput " 

 (Russia is also done for). 



Early next morning we were marched down 

 the coast, in charge of another stout little German 

 and seven askaris. My guardian, in private life 

 the skipper of a small coasting boat, was again 

 a good sort. He told me as a great joke that an 

 English hydroplane from our warships had lately 

 flown over Dar-es-Salaam dropping bombs, but the 

 only casualties were four Goanese tailors — '* your 

 own subjects/' said he, with a chuckle. As a 

 prisoner, I now believe firmly in having fat men 

 as guardians. 



