378 
TRAVELS IN AFRICA. Chap. XXXIII. 
pitching my tent, thinking that the storm which had 
threatened us in the afternoon had passed by, as the 
clouds had gone westwards. However, I soon learned 
that, in tropical climes, there is no certainty of a 
storm having passed away, the clouds often returning 
from the opposite quarter. 
We had already retired to rest when the tempest 
burst upon us with terrible fury, threatening to 
tear my weak little tent to pieces. Fortunately the 
top-ropes were well-fastened; and, planting myself 
against the quarter from whence the wind blew, I 
succeeded in keeping it upright. The rain came 
down in torrents ; and, though the tent excluded it 
tolerably well from above, the water rushed in from 
below and wetted my luggage. But as soon as it fairly 
begins to rain, a traveller in a tolerable tent is safe ; 
for then the heavy gale ceases. Sitting down upon 
my camp-stool, I quietly awaited the end of the storm, 
when I betook myself to the hut, where I found 
Mallem Katiiri and Bii-Sad comfortably stretched. 
Saturday ^ e se * ou ^ a ^ a tolerably early hour, 
June 7tL being all very wet. The rain had been so 
heavy that the labours of the field could be deferred 
no longer ; and close to the village we saw a couple 
sowing their little field, the man going on in advance, 
and making holes in the ground at equal distances with 
a hoe of about five feet long (the " kiski kiillobe "), 
while his wife, following him, threw a few grains of 
seed into each hole. These people certainly had 
nothing to lose ; and in order not to risk their little 
