A SERENADE. 183 our mosquito-curtains were set up, and under each a soft even bed of grass had been prepared, on which we were right glad to stretch our weary limbs.

After lying awake for some time watching the various groups clustered round the fires, and soothed by the hum of voices, I became more and more drowsy, and nearly slept ; but there was no rest for me that night ; first in one direction, and then in another, sounded the deep low roar of the king of the forest, and the concert was continued sometimes nearer, and sometimes more distant, all night, until the morning sun sent their majesties home to their lairs.

The following day's march of thirty- seven miles brought us to Dem Idris. The forest glades through which we passed were very beautiful, and Khor-el-Kamleh was studded with curious, fantastic crags.

Just before arriving at Dem Idris we went through a picturesque village, in the midst of a bananagrove, Kaza. Altogether this day we passed thirteen streams, besides the two rivers Ghitti and Ji ; they flow in a north-north-easterly direction, but the Ji is the only one which falls into the Bahrel-Arab, the others find their way into the Bahrel-Ghazel. An immense amount of water flows through this country during the rains, and as the rainfall in this district is not by- any means great, and some of the rivers were at the time we passed very full, the watershed must be very far to the