FIRST INTERVIEW IVITII BASE. 87 through a large grove consisting entirely of heglcck-trcQs {Balanetcs gyptiaca), and extending for four or five miles.

The Arabs are very fond of the fruit of this tree, but I must confess we none of us found it very palatable. Elephants also enjoy the fruit, and will gather them one by one; we several times found the trees overturned by these animals, and it was evident, from the amount of trampling that had taken place, that they had stopped to eat the fruit. This tree is also so rich in potash that it is used as a substitute for soap. It was the first time in our travels that we had ever come across a country in which these trees were the sole kind, though in parts they were common enough here and there, growing with other species.

The previous evening some excitement had been caused in camp by a report that some Base had been seen skulking about the tents during the night; and on this day, Jan. 30, 1882, some of these redoubtable people were for the first time seen by us, and, moreover, "interviewed;" but I do not think even a ''New-York Herald" reporter would have got much out of them. On the march we suddenly came across a party of eight or ten, engaged in collecting the fruit of the baobab-tree. All took to their heels, and made off as fast as they could, except one, who was fairly treed, and could not get down from his perch before we came up to him. He appeared to expect to be instantly killed, and stood trembling all over like an aspenleaf, the picture of most abject terror. He did not know what to make of us, when, instead of being led to instant execution, he was presented with a knife by my brother, while Suleiman gave him some food.

Bayrumphy called after the fugitives in their own language, and endeavoured to make them understand that we were peaceably inclined ; but it was no use ; they only ran the faster, and