poles, they laid
their rafters, they completed their framework, binding all with the
tough withes; then deftly they thatched it with the grass. Almost before
we had settled our own affairs, M'ganga was standing before us smiling.
Gone now was his mien of high indignation and swirling energy.

"Banda naquisha," he informed us.

And we moved in our table and our canvas chairs; hung up our water
bottles; Billy got out her fancy work. Nothing could be pleasanter
nor more appropriate to the climate than this wide low arbour, open at
either end to the breezes, thatched so thickly that the fierce sun could
nowhere strike through.

The men had now settled down to a knowledge of what we were like; and
things were going smoothly. At first the African porter will try it on
to see just how easy you are likely to prove. If he makes up his mind
that you really are easy, then you are in for infinite petty annoyance,
and possibly open mutiny. Therefore, for a little while, it is necessary
to be extremely vigilant, to insist on minute performance in all
circumstances where later you might condone an omission. For the same
reason punishment must be more frequent and more severe at the outset.
It is all a matter of watching the temper of the men. If they are
cheerful and willing, you are not nearly as particular as you would
be were their spirit becoming sullen. Then the infraction is not so
important in itself as an excuse for the punishment. For when your men
get sulky, you watch vigilantly for the first and faintest EXCUSE to
inflict punishment.

This game always seemed to me very fascinating, when played right. It is
often played wrong. People do not look far enough. Because they see
that punishment has a most salutary effect on morale, and is sometimes
efficacious in getting things done that otherwise would lag, they jump
to the conclusion that the only effective way to handle a safari is
by penalties. By this I do not at all mean that they act savagely, or
punish to brutal excess. Merely they hold rigidly to the letter of the
work and the day's discipline. Because it is sometimes necessary
to punish severely slight infractions when the men's tempers need
sweetening, they ALWAYS punish slight infractions severely.

And in ordinary circumstances this method undoubtedly results in a very
efficient safari. Things are done smartly, on time, with a snap. The
day's march begins without delay; there is a minimum of straggling; on
arri