38 UGANDA AND THE EGYPTIAN SOUDAN.

Avere almost under the walls, so tliat only tliree soldiers, together with a drummer and a bugler, had time to don their whites and turn out to bid me welcome. My old friend Farag Aga Ajok came hurrying up, buckling on his sword, delighted to see me again. It was quite a surprise for him, as for them all, as they had never once thought of my appearing there again so soon. All the men were at work making new earthworks, and were on this account not presentable for the reception of a friend and guest ; though for an enemy they were quite prepared, their arms being piled close at hand, in case of emergency.

I was quite tired out, and very glad to get some food ; the short commons on which I had been perforce subsisting and the long marches having told on me not a little. I then wrote letters, and within an hour after my arrival I had sent off a mail, which I afterwards found reached Lado in eleven days—a very short time. I was much disappointed to find that the Nile was still blocked, and that in consequence no letters had come for me. The oflicers at Mruli were delighted about my return, holding as they do such a bad opinion of Uganda. They never expected to see me again ; riTmours of our difficulties in Eubaga having reached Mruli. They, too, had had their troubles during my absence. Some of the soldiers had been killed by the Longos, who live on the east of the