Some loose stones would then be thrown over the "joint." Next would come a layer of sand, and the fire was built on the top of all.

Rats were always plentiful--often so much so as to become a serious nuisance.

They were of the large brown variety, and were not at all bad eating.

I may say here that the women-folk were responsible for the catching of the rats, the method usually adopted being to poke in their holes with sticks, and then kill them as they rushed out.

The women, by the way, were responsible for a good many things.