STANDING CAMPS 305 



liquid without undue disturbance. They are 

 filled daily with boiled and filtered water, for 

 which purpose one of the portable Berkfield 

 " Traveller's " filters should be provided. As 

 the contents ooze very slightly through the 

 texture of the canvas and meet the breeze 

 outside, the water is cooled to a degree which 

 persons unacquainted with the practice would 

 scarcely believe possible. For the road, or the 

 hunt, the best water-flask is that made of 

 aluminium covered with felt, holding about a 

 quart, and with a strap to sling it over a native's 

 shoulder. 



Of course, when a stay of several days is made 

 in one locality, much may be done to heighten the 

 comfort of the traveller's surroundings. For in- 

 stance, a pleasant, shady site for the tent having 

 been selected, the fly, instead of being employed, 

 for its normal purpose, can be pitched as a con- 

 tinuation of the main structure, and as a pro- 

 longation from the front door. This is done by 

 cutting a long straight bamboo to serve as a ridge- 

 pole, and a forked support to hold it horizontally, 

 the tent-fly being thrown over it and secured by 

 its own pegs. This affords a separate shelter 

 under which the whole of the loads may be con- 

 veniently placed, the centre being large enough 

 for the chairs, table, and other articles. Here 

 meals may be partaken of, guns cleaned, and rest 

 enjoyed without exposure to the nightly annoy- 

 ance of the heavy dew which is such a striking 

 feature of the African winter season. In such a 

 camp as this, for the occasions on which laundry 



