194 Wanderings in Eastern Africa. 
be closed ; otherwise no hope of rest could be enter- 
tained. 
It is the custom of the Gallas to make a fire at the 
doorway of the hut as soon as the sun sets ; then to beat 
the room well with their togas so as to drive the insects 
outside, and when this has been well done to cover 
the doorway, in order to prevent their return. We 
found this a good plan. We got rid of vast numbers in 
this way, but there were always a few that in spite of 
our best efforts would remain. 
As soon as our hut was ready we entered, fought 
our enemies, closed the door, blew up the fire, and 
threw ourselves upon our rugs. The Gallas have a 
little idea of comfort, hence all the back part of the 
hut is well matted with rush and straw, and it was on 
such a mat that we made our couch. A small portion 
of the floor, near the door, is left bare, and on this the 
fire is made. We had just room in which to stretch 
ourselves without putting our feet into the fire, still 
we were in danger of doing so at times. It is some- 
thing wonderful that such huts are not constantly 
burnt to the ground. This does occur occasionally, but 
from all accounts by no means so often as might be 
expected. Before we slept we heard that some Gallas 
had come to the camp from Hirebaya. 
