144 UGANDA AND THE EGYPTIAN SOUDAN.

the party who liad previously crossed. It is always best to follow the native custom and swim hand over hand, making as much splashing as possible, in order to frighten away crocodiles, which abound in nearly all the rivers. When the men had reached the other side the rope was made fast to the apes of the raft, and two others were attached to the other corners to steady it. The loads were tied on to it, and it was slowly hauled across, and upon it all our party was conveyed to the other side. Only two mishaps occurred. Once the men loaded the raft carelessly, and it capsized, wetting the loads ; and another time two men tumbled into the river, and could not swim ; but, by catching hold of the raft, they were brought safely to land. That day the march had been unusually hot, and we were right glad to get to the next station, which is called by the Egyptians Got, but by the natives Abreal.

We were now amongst the Bongo natives ; they are certainly of a much more solid build than the neighbouring tribes, but not quite so tall. The average height of those I measured was sixty-eight and a half inches. The women are often very fat, and presented a striking contrast to the lanky Dinkas.

They are of a red-brown colour, and their heads are broader than those of the natives farther east. The children's heads are often compressed for some time after birth. The Egyptian soldiers told us