178 WAR: CAMPAIGNING IN EAST AFRICA 



called Mangangira. I^ew buildings were quickly 

 erected and the camp routine established. Food 

 had now become very scarce, and henceforward 

 the prisoners were badly and insufficiently fed ; 

 often we were really very hungry. For breakfast 

 all we had was a plate of matama porridge ; lunch 

 was a plate of rice and a small ladleful of beans ; 

 for tea, a plate of matama again and some rice. 

 When any of the Germans shot a buck or, better 

 still, a pig, we had meat in addition to the above 

 rations, and that day fared well : otherwise we 

 went to bed hungry. At the same time, continual 

 attacks of dysentery brought me very low. Heavy 

 storms, too, fell nearly every evening, for we were 

 now in December. 



Against these discomforts was the knowledge 

 that the chance of escape had become much more 

 hopeful. We were in a wild spot, and the Germans 

 were getting careless. 



At Liwale I had shown my companions how to 

 preserve their meat by making " biltong " and 

 " salt junk." I liked doing this, as I generally 

 took the opportunity to cut off and fry two big 

 steaks on some coals, one (need I say ?) being for 

 the askari guard. I had also volunteered for this 

 job because it let me out through the barbed wire 

 of the boma, and I hoped it might offer an oppor- 

 tunity for escape. However, at that time I was 

 too well guarded. 



The prisoners' greatest luxury in the matter of 

 food came on " Rissole Day/' when fresh meat 



