TRANSPOliT. 105 judicious control. Liberty, as it is understood in England, would not be practicable in Africa ; it is imperative tliat the orders of the government as to the punctual payment of taxes, the provision of porters, the regular transit of the posts, and other regulations should be obeyed ; and, to obtain this result, the natives must submit to more supervision and interference by officials than would be tolerated in more civilised countries.

The transport in the Equatorial Provinces has still to be carried on by porters ; as yet the introduction of ox-waggons has not been accomplished, and it is much to be regretted that an attempt made by Gordon Pasha to introduce a system of transport by means of elephants has not proved successful. I am informed that four well-trained elephants, with twelve keepers, can in one year capture and train twelve others. It is objected by some authorities that African elephants cannot be used for this purpose ; but we have it on record that in olden times they were largely employed.

However, in spite of other disadvantages, the porters are careful, and I never had a box broken, and on only one occasion lost a package, which in a few days' time was returned to me in good condition.

Each squad of ten or twenty porters, according to the size of the caravan, has a soldier over it, who is answerable for the loads, and looks after them