IV 



TRAVELS IN EASTERN AFRICA 



139 



once set to work getting grass to strew upon the damp 

 ground, while some were sent off in parties to collect 

 what few dried sticks they could find. This work was 

 soon accomplished. Each group of porters had a tiny 

 fire, over which they were able to warm slightly their 

 strips of meat. Lieutenant von Hohnel and I retired 

 to bed, ill with fever. Our spirits were still further 

 depressed by the night's experience ; mosquitoes in 

 myriads swarmed about us. Even the thick skins of 

 the negroes were not proof against the attacks of the 

 tiny denizens of the swamp. No one was able to sleep. 

 Curses and impotent yells echoed throughout the camp. 

 Lieutenant von Hohnel and I each had mosquito cur- 

 tains ; which, however, proved of no service as barriers 

 from the pests. Throughout the long night we turned 

 over in our minds but one project — how to get out as 

 quickly as possible from this abode of pestilence and 

 death. 



From the tree we had seen that the swamp stretched 

 for several miles to the eastward. On both sides of the 

 small stream the grass rose to a great height, and we 

 knew that we had to march close to the river, in order 

 to be able to procure water; so that there was nothing 

 now to do but to return over the route by which we had 

 reached the place. Our food supply was well-nigh ex- 

 hausted, but we calculated that by making vigorous 

 marches we should be able to reach the Jombeni Moun- 

 tains before it gave out. 



On the following day, ere the break of dawn, all was in 

 readiness for our departure, and at sunrise the wearied 

 carax'an started on its march. It is highly ])robalj]e that 

 (luring the rainy season Lorian Swamp may ha\-e the 



