FULL MOON. 107 wliat speed and order these arrangements are carried out. In marching through a disturbed part of the country scouts are sent out in advance, and at the same time a few men march parallel to the column, at some distance from it on each side.

It is almost impossible to persuade the people to march at night ; partly from their fear of wild animals, and partly from their belief in the evil influence of the moon. It is a curious fact that I never made a night march at full moon, without having fever afterwards.

The natives also greatly object to starting early in the morning, on account of the heavy dews. If they are compelled to march, they always tie a skin or branches of trees before them, to prevent their getting so wet. This they do even if, as a general rule, they wear no clothes. I found that it was best to wear waterproofs for the first hour's march, preferring the extra warmth to the chill of the dew.

On reaching the place appointed for a camp, the porters collect together, and the loads are counted and placed in heaps. The women light fires and begin their cooking ojerations, the men meanwhile going into the jungle for wood and grass to build huts. This does not take long, and in about an hour, unless the men are very lazy or unusually tired, good huts are finished. At sunset the whole party take their evening meal, watchfires are lit round the camp, and sentries placed