312 FROM THE NIGER TO THE NILE 



crest of the World. To disturb the silence, only one 

 noise came at intervals, growing ever more frequent — the 

 sharp sound of the " boys " round the camp fire a little way 

 off slapping mosquitoes that tormented their bare flesh. 

 Nor did we need to be reminded that we ourselves were not 

 left unmolested by these pests, and an early hour found us 

 seeking shelter in bed beneath mosquito nets. 



The night was cold and the " boys " passed a wretched 

 time, complaining bitterly, for there was not enough wood to 

 keep the fire going, and they slept without shelter on the bare 

 ground. With a good fire to go to bed by they are perfectly 

 content and do not trouble about much else. They will keep 

 one going all night long, taking turns to feed it, and they sleep 

 sitting or lying almost in the embers, turning first one side, 

 then the other to the blaze. Sometimes they roll into it and 

 get their clothes, if not their skins badly burnt. Apart from 

 the comfort of its warmth, the sense of security from beasts 

 of prey that a fire gives holds them constant to the habit. 

 They will even keep a fire alight in the pouring rain and 

 prefer its company under these uncomfortable conditions 

 to the shelter of a hut. I remember once afterwards in 

 camp at Kaddai, when they were ordered for their health's 

 sake into the huts from a perfect deluge, they managed to 

 keep a log smouldering under some branches, and no 

 sooner was the rain over than they were outside again with 

 a good fire lighted, round which they finished their sleep 

 on the soaking ground. 



Next morning we were up and away early. Talbot took 

 a curve inland through the bush to look for game, while I 

 continued the journey along the lakeside. The maria now 



