Thus, while the East African Army at Songo Military Outpost watched the Portuguese busy themselves outside the city, the Mozambican troops were once again held back by the Blacks—because the French might have taught them how to make siege equipment during training!
Africans were not so incapable that they could not even make ladders, but such craftsmanship depended on the region. For example, natives in tropical rainforest regions built their nests in trees, making wooden ladders indispensable tools. Some native Kingdoms with relatively higher levels of development had similar needs and could make simple wooden ladders.
Moreover, these wooden ladders were generally made by hollowing out a single log, or binding materials together with grass rope. Wooden ladders joined with mortise-and-tenon structures or secured with iron nails were almost nonexistent. Therefore, ladders made by Africans were unsuitable for siege warfare. In the violent chaos of an assault, using such wooden ladders would likely make their own men fall flat on their faces first, enough to make the East African Army laugh its teeth out.
The natives of East Africa were even worse off. Most lived in savanna regions, building dwellings from plant fibers, woven strips, or mud. These were usually round huts or square mud houses less than two meters high. They had no need to climb up and down, so even ladders, the simplest climbing tool, had no occasion for use.
Kerry could only curse as he personally led men in instructing them how to make the ladders. This wasted a great deal more time, and after half a day, they had produced only a little over twenty.
Looking at the darkening sky, Rhodes suggested, "Second Lieutenant Kerry, why don't we continue this tomorrow? We may have to spend the night here first."
Kerry was extremely dissatisfied. "No matter