VI 



TRAVELS IN EASTERN AFRICA 



233 



required tons of grass. The huts were huddled closely- 

 together, so that they almost touched one another ; and 

 the camp presented the appearance of a field covered 

 with small haycocks. After the rains ceased, the grass 

 upon the huts quickly dried. 



We had made a rule, which we endeavoured to 

 enforce, that no fire should be built in the huts ; but 

 despite our most careful watching, some of the men, 

 particularly the Soudanese, would build a small fire 

 near their beds to warm themselves. While the rains 

 poured in torrents, this was not particularly dangerous ; 

 but after the rains had ceased and the grass dried, only 

 a spark was needed to set the whole camp in flames. 



One afternoon during our stay at Daitcho, Lieutenant 

 von Hohnel and I were enjoying a siesta, when we 

 were rudely aroused by the cry, " Moto ! Moto ! " (Fire ! 

 Fire!) We leaped to our feet and rushed out, there 

 to see that a portion of the camp was in flames. We 

 knew that in a few moments not a hut would be left 

 standing. All hands were set to work removing the 

 goods, particularly the ammunition ; and ere the con- 

 flagration was over, and the camp reduced to smoke 

 and a mass of ashes, nearly every load had been car- 

 ried to a safe distance. While it lasted, the fire 

 raged with great fury, and the terror caused by the 

 flames was increased by the explosion of a great 

 number of cartridges ; for the men, in their hurry, 

 had neglected to remove beyond the reach of the 

 fire, cartridges which they had in their huts. Fortu- 

 nately, no one was wounded. 



After the fire was over, we looked upon it as a 

 joke ; in fact, as something in the nature of a blessing, 



