2 12 Wanderings in Eastern Africa. 
the water than we had done upon dry land. As if 
in haste to commence their work they rose before 
the sun had fairly set, the teazing hum of myriads of 
tiny trumpets being distinctly heard. To remain out- 
side the hut after this was impossible. On account 
of the water we were obliged to move about, in native 
fashion, with naked legs and feet. What an oppor- 
tunity for these blood-suckers ! We were obliged to 
retreat precipitantly to our hives. Unable to make 
a fire upon the water outside, we were under the 
necessity of making a doubly large one within. It was 
a desperate but still our only remedy. The smoke 
greatly tried our eyes, while the fire made the hut in- 
tolerably hot. Fancy us cooped up there, unable to see 
each other for smoke, and sweating from every pore. 
We rose in the morning feeling more dead than ahve. 
We could not bear many such nights. Had there been 
the alternative of turning out, as at Weichu, or any 
place to go to for a change, we could have endured it, 
but to be cooped up in that cage, smoked, melted, and 
blood-sucked — this was too much. 
According to yesterday's arrangement Hirebaya 
and Dado came to-day to examine the present we 
had brought for their chief. Notwithstanding their 
protestations, we feared their object was to fleece us. 
Hirebaya brought with him Malau as interpreter. 
To this we did not object, though his presence was, in 
our estimation, quite unnecessary, and we knew that 
the onus of his pay would fall on us. The Gallas 
however preferred him to our interpreter because he 
was an old man, and had doubtless engaged to 
work into their hands. 
The goods were opened before these men, and they 
