On the l^and. 
231 
river, and for a wonder, high and dry i Here we 
were told we were to stay the night Hurrah ! 
Delighted at the prospect of finding ourselves on 
dry land once more we accepted the proposition with 
a great deal of satisfaction. Now I felt I was out of 
prison. Dry land ! What a treat ! I had not hoped 
for it again ! I think I had begun to get water on 
the brain ! But little high and dry Ngau stopped 
the disorder ; I was saved ! Presently the thought 
struck me, why were we not brought here at first } 
This, compared with Mana Mvoko, would have been a 
paradise. I felt vexed with the Gallas, who knew that 
there was such a place, yet, despite our complaints, did 
not bring us hither. We asked why they had not 
done so, but obtained no explanation. 
We were shown into a very good hut, a new one, of 
the ordinary description. It contained the same raised 
floor as those huts which are built over the water, 
though in this case it was not needed. Here we see 
the force of habit or custom. The people build a 
raised floor generally on account of the water ; and 
here, on a little hillock, where no water could lie they 
do the same thing ! 
Thankful for having found such accommodation on 
dry land, we lay down that night at peace with all the 
world. We almost forgot our past troubles, and for- 
gave, even the Gallas, in our hearts. 
