"Bulana, you and Ndasa," addressing the remaining two warriors, "go to the hedge and collect the largest leaves to carry the dirt from the pit." Laying down their spears and shields next to the work site, the two men hurried off.

Thos and Gisco watched how the others went about clearing the sod and then aped their actions. Cutting long strips, they rolled the grass upon itself, slicing the roots as they went. The cut sod was stacked away from the digging area.

Ddara and his two men returned carrying several branches stripped of foliage but with sharpened and scooped out stumps to help with the digging. Kalala took one and began the work, others followed his example. Only about half the men could work at a time, which allowed the other half to rest. It was a slow job. The make shift tools were clumsy, and carrying the dirt to the lake in leaves was a burdensome task. In the beginning hands and knives worked better for digging than

the branches. As the earth hardened, some leverage was needed and the branches proved their worth. Kalala and the Asara clansmen’s bodies were smeared with mud and grime. Thos’ and Gisco’s tunics were never going to be white again. The hole took shape but much time had passed. 

In the middle of the afternoon Kalala took council with Ddara. Seeming to agree on some action, Kalala turned to Gisco and said, "I will send Ddara and Mluasi to hunt, and prepare this night’s camp at the same place we stopped yesterday. It is late for stalking with the spear. Will you go with them, taking your bow?"

Gisco who was the better marksman between himself and Thos, as Kalala knew, jumped at the chance. "Yes, yes!" He replied to the laughter of the group. "Too bad Thos, but you are doing good work here. It must be the miner in you," Gisco said to his disgruntled friend.
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