52 



THROUGH JUNGLE AND DESERT 



CHAP. 



as my caravan was much fatigued by the long marches 

 we had lately taken, I decided to rest there for some 

 time, at least until the rains were over, and our beasts 

 of burden had put on a little flesh, — they by this time 

 being mere skeletons. The autumn rains were then 

 due, and during the rainy season the country on the 

 banks of the Tana is absolutely impassable, its soft, 

 loamy soil becoming one vast swamp. Bearing this in 

 mind, we made preparations for a more or less prolonged 

 stay at Tuni. 



In the course of a few days we had a quite respect- 

 able camp built. The porters were exceedingly clever 

 at building huts. Given some poles, plenty of grass, 

 and an axe or two, in half a day they will erect a cool 

 and water-proof habitation. Instead of nails, they use 

 withes and vines, of which they make excellent rope. 



In Tuni the weather was excessively hot, and the ther- 

 mometer never fell below 88° Fahrenheit, even at night ; 

 while in the daytime the rays of the sun were scorch- 

 ing. We spent three weeks there, waiting patiently 

 for the rains, while our men distinguished themselves 

 by attempting on several occasions small raids on the 

 natives. For this they were invariably punished ; but, 

 notwithstanding all my efforts in their behalf, the 

 natives persisted in holding aloof from us, so that it 

 was difficult to purchase food. At length, however, I 

 managed to lay in a supply sufficient for my wants. 

 The rains, although due at this time, and expected by 

 the natives as well as ourselves, amounted to practically 

 nothing; not more than three showers fell, and they 

 were very light. Our stay did the beasts a great deal 

 of good ; not such, however, was its effect upon the 



