34 UGANDA AND THE EGYPTIAN SOUDAN.

miles of swamp to pass through, and we were very

glad when the time came for rest, as any one who

has travelled in Central Africa will understand.

The horrid smell of the water, the overpowering

odour of the tropical water-plants, the mosquitoes

in thousands buzzing round one, the effort re-

quired to keep on one's legs on account of the

uneven nature of the ground ; and the numerous

impediments in the way, such as creepers, logs of

wood, or holes caused by elephants, combine to make a march through a swamp a thing to be

dreaded by all who traverse those lands. I was too

tired to take much notice even of the mosquitoes,

which were very troublesome that night ; the result

was, that when I awoke the nest morning, I found my face and hands very much swollen. We started

betimes, but had only gone about a mile and a half,

when we came to a sudden halt, and all the men

fell flat on their faces, pulling me down with them.

I was naturally somewhat astonished at such a novel

proceeding on their part, and mildly inquired what

was the matter and what I had done to be treated

in so extraordinary a manner. They motioned to me

to preserve silence, and to follow two or three men who were crawling forward on their hands and knees.

I imitated them, and soon came upon an explanation,

for I saw a newly-formed path, which had evidently

been traversed by a large number of men that day,

and which directly crossed our road. As we were