THE HALT OF THE CARAVAN. 



353 



bouring. The more energetic at once apply themselves 

 to " making all snug " for the long hot afternoon and the 

 nipping night; some hew down young trees, others 

 collect heaps of leafy boughs ; one acts architect, and 

 many bring in huge loads of firewood. The East African 

 is so much accustomed to house-life, that the bivouac in 

 the open appears to him a hardship ; he prefers even 

 to cut out the interior of a bush and to squat in it, the 

 portrait of a comfortable cynocephalus. We usually 

 spread our donkey-saddles and carpets in some shade, 

 awaiting the arrival of our tents, and its erection by the 

 grumbling sons of Ramji ; if we want a hut, we draw 

 out the man in possession like a badger, — he will never 

 have the decency to offer it. As a rule, the villagers are 

 more willing to receive the upward-bound caravans, than 

 those who, returning, carry wealth out of instead of into 

 the country. Merchants, on account of their valuable 

 outfits, affect, except in the safest localities, the khambi 

 rather than the village ; the latter, however, is not only 

 healthier, despite its uncleanliness in miasmatic lands, 

 but is also more comfortable, plenty and variety of pro- 

 visions being more readily procured inside than outside. 

 The Arab's khaymah is a thin pole or ridge-tent of 

 flimsy domestics, admitting sun and rain, and, like an 

 Irish cabin, permitting at night the occupant to tell 

 time by the stars ; yet he prefers it, probably for 

 dignity, to the boothy which, in this land of verdure 

 and cool winds, is a far more comfortable lodging. 



The Wamrima willingly admit strangers into their 

 villages; the Wazaramo would do the same, but they 

 are constantly at feud with the Wanyamwezi, who 

 therefore care not to avail themselves of the dangerous 

 hospitality. In K'hutu caravans seize by force the best 

 lodgings. Throughout Eastern Usagara travellers pitch 



VOL. I. A A 



