Episode 1 . The First Week - "Mango Soup and Tenting under the Stars.

Monday 1 May 1743.

I have detailed the men to begin transforming what remains of the mission into a defendable area. The only remaining building of the mission is the supply room, which is now at its full complement, it is also serving as my quarters given the shelter needed for maps and documents.  Apart from Sentry duty (assigned to Sgt Hooke), I have assigned 4 work parties to begin constructing a watchtower, defensive palisade and barracks. However the heat today was horrid and monsoon rains opened above us so that I ordered the men to rest as conditions were near impossible.

Tuesday 2ⁿ May 1743

The rain ceased in the night but the devil's heat is still upon us. Private Beachampe declared this place “hell on earth” and I am beginning to agree with him,  as I ordered the men to rest again. Given the recent Mbeechi defeat I am certain that they won’t reappear for some weeks. The men spent parts of the day fishing, collecting fruit and bringing more order to the encampment. The South seems so much hotter and variable than new New Redon, quite tranquil in places but there is always the undercurrent of Mbeechi attacks to keep the men on their toes.

Wednesday 3 May 1743

A hot day but I ordered the men to work, progress was made on all structures however Sergeant Henros fell ill during the day and was taken to bed with dehydration, Doctor Shivago declared he should remain at rest tomorrow, It appears several weeks of marching in heat has not agreed with Henros and I do not fault him in any way. However, we must press on and build the stations as the tent canvas won't stop a spear aswell as palisade can.

Thursday 4 May 1743

Monsoon rain again but it seemed to take the fire out of the climate and I ordered the men to work again. The sooner we are under solid shelter the better as the tents, whilst practical aren’t ideal for long term habitation. Several men fell ill today and we removed from the work detail, we are currently have 4 men on bed rest due to weather related illness. The sooner the defences are completed the better, if we are attacked in this rain our powder will be damp and I would rather keep a distance from the warriors.

Friday 5 May 1743

A fine day today and excellent progress was made on the stockade. The work details have completed several yards  of palisade fashioned out of jungle hardwood, whilst the watchtower is almost complete. I shall prepare an expedition in the coming days to explore the local area more and see what threats\supplies we can fathom. I added several men to sentry duty at night as some distance away we could hear drums and the local Mabutu seemed somewhat agitated. Nothing occurred in the night though, apart from Private Honsel having an issue with some large flying insect.

Saturday 6^th May 1743

Another day of rain made work impossible. We did note however that the natives use some form of oil deduced from animal fat to waterproof leather hides, I have issued our cook, Mr Mambo  to produce some oil which we can test on the cartridge bags of the men. The river contains plentiful amounts of fish and is fast becoming staple ration for the men.

Sunday 7^th may 1743

The rain eased somewhat and allowed some work parties to continue. I am growing frustrated at the impact the weather has, the weather in the south seems so much more volatile than at New Redon and is hindering our defensive preparation. The men remain steady though, and the sentries have been vigilant, the local Mabutu have been of excellent assistance in providing labour and general local knowledge. Another section of stockade has been completed and a makeshift watchtower erected that will provide excellent viewing of the local area. Given this I have reduced the watch to 3 men.