28 



THROUGH JUNGLE AND DESERT 



CHAP. 



eyes open. Day after day I took them to a level spot 

 near camp, and instructed them to load and raise their 

 rifles to their shoulders, and aim at the word of com- 

 mand. 



After two weeks of this sort of work I put up targets, 

 and gave each of the men three shots. By this I learned 

 that but a small number of them had derived any profit 

 from the hours of toil which I had spent daily in their 

 instruction. I discovered, nevertheless, that some thirty 

 of them could hit a large packing-case at a distance of 

 eighty yards, if given sufficient time to take aim. After 

 the expenditure of 2000 rounds of ammunition I was 

 compelled to satisfy myself with this result. 



The Soudanese, needless to say, were soon all excel- 

 lent shots, and took a certain pride in their weapons. 

 The Somali likewise readily acquired a good knowledge 

 of shooting. 



I will outline a day of our life while in camp at Mko- 

 numbi. At 5.30 a.m. the tomtom beat, and the porters 

 fell in, drawn up in two companies. The roll was called 

 by George, and he examined the rifles, pouches, water- 

 bottles, and bayonets. Each man had a number, and all 

 his outfit bore the same ; so inspection was quickly 

 made. Then I summoned the Soudanese, inspected 

 their rifles, and told them the hour they were to drill. 

 At 6 A.M. we had breakfast, consisting of eggs, bacon, 

 coffee or tea, and jam. At 7 the Soudanese were drilled 

 for two hours, and then one of the companies of porters 

 was taken out and exercised until noon, when we had 

 luncheon. This consisted of chicken and curried rice, 

 with a bottle of mild beer, followed by a small cup of 

 strong coffee and a cigarette. After luncheon we took 



