Leonard was in his tent with Jack and Simeon talking about the outcome of their various punitive expeditions. He was seated with his legs crossed over his desk. There was a jug of water and a cup on the desk. It was the month of March and, after the last rains which ushered in the Harmattan, there had been no rainfall. Leonard found the heat intolerable and downed one cup of water after another, to keep from dehydrating.
His antipathy to Africa was growing, and he especially hated the scorching heat. Many months had passed since his arrival in the region, yet he could not orient himself with the place. Wiping the sweat that was dripping from his forehead in streams, he reached for his hat and began to fan himself. He really longed for the April rains.
“We’ve received excellent support fr
