64 UGANDA AND TBI: EGYPTIAN SOUDAN.

mustered to give the usual welcome. My escort then formed into procession, two men marching with sloped arms before me, the sergeant in charge of the party and the other two soldiers of my personal guard behind, while the rest of the soldiers followed with the baggage. When we reached the double line of soldiers, my men ordered arms, the band struck up the salaam, and as we marched through, the lines, the men presented arms, I gave the salute to the flags which were drooped, and to each officer, who in return saluted with his sword.

At the gate Abdul Aga Nimer, the governor of the station, a thorough gentleman, and my old friend the Murdir Morjan Aga, gave a hearty welcome, and, to my surprise, I found a letter from Mr.

Wilson, who wrote from Mruli, the post having passed us on the road.

I was soon refreshed by a bath, and then had coffee, which was very welcome, as for a long time I had had nothing but dhurra coffee (burnt dhurra grain). The officers came to congratulate me on my return from Uganda, and to tell the news ; the principal items of which were—that the Nile was still blocked ; the war with Suleiman Bey was nearly at an end : the Prince Imperial was dead, and England was at war in Zululand and Afghanistan. To my sorrow Dr. Emin had not come to Fatiko ; when halfway there he had been obliged to return to Lado on urgent business.