for we were then compelled to build a better camp.
We first cleared away all the tall grass in the immediate
neighbourhood; then we marked out a square,
just one-half an acre in extent, and this we fenced in
with tall palisades. It took 1300 logs, each more
than six inches in diameter, to complete the circuit.
Inside and close to the palisade we placed the huts
of the men. These huts were made, not of straw, as
we feared another fire, but open on the inside like
lean-tos, and roofed with thin strips of the midrib of
a large palm growing along the banks of the neighbouring
brook. In two weeks’ time we had completed
a capital camp, sufficiently strong to withstand the
attack of a great number of natives.
When our new camp was finished, we released the
Embe hostages we had detained. After loading them
with presents we sent them back to their people with
the intelligence that upon the following day we
should visit them for the purpose of entering into
the bonds of blood-brotherhood with the whole tribe.
We told them we would not be satisfied with anything
less than the most solemn ceremony, such as
would he binding for all time; and insisted that this
ceremony must be accomplished during our coming
visit to them; also, that, should they not be willing
to become our blood-brothers, we should then know
they were our enemies, and we would act accordingly.
This step was absolutely necessary; for when Lieutenant
von Hohnel and I set out upon our journey,
George would be left at Daitcho with comparatively
few men. Though our camp w7as strong, and our
relations with the Daitcho people friendly, neverthe