WILD LIFE ACROSS THE WORLD 



in the midst of his native bush and long grass is to him 

 only a clearing in his hunting-ground, and nothing 

 more. 



During the wearisomely prolonged campaign I was 

 in charge for some time at an aerodrome in enemy 

 territory, about nine miles from a hill called Lakassalle. 

 Under my care were five mechanics and about thirty 

 native porters, whose work consisted in looking after 

 the petrol stores, seeing that they were properly 

 replenished, and effecting any repairs to aeroplanes 

 that landed at the aerodrome and stood in need of 

 attention. Besides this we furnished the airmen with 

 information relating to the country and gave them 

 weather prospects. 



The landing-ground particularly wanted attention. 

 The porters cut the grass, cleared it of all obstructions, 

 and generally saw that everything was in order and 

 ready for any emergency. Every day at about eleven 

 o'clock in the morning four blacks were detailed to 

 fetch the day's water supply from some mud-holes 

 three hundred yards from the camp. The water 

 was emptied into tanks, but before it could be used 

 I had to sprinkle alum into it in order to settle the 

 mud. 



One day I sent five of the porters to the mud-holes, 

 and was about to enter my tent, which was on the other 

 side of the petrol store, when I heard unearthly yells. 

 Turning round, I beheld five naked porters running 



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