DOUBTS OF THE BAS. 129 Kudul ; and, although so far we had had no cause of complaint of their attitude towards us, some of them were beginning to show signs of disaffection, and grumbling that they had no more presents made to them. We regretted that we had not brought a camel-load or two of Manchester cloth to distribute amongst them. The small quantity we had brought was much appreciated ; and we parcelled it out with great care, the larger portion of course going to the sheiks. Our stock of razors, knives, and scissors, — a large one to begin with, — was rapidly diminishing ; and as, of course, we could get no more, we had to be very chary of them. Our only fear of the Base was, best emboldened by the success of the Dembelas, they should endeavour to surprise us at night. In order to guard ourselves against this possibility, we were very careful to surround our camp with an extra-strong zariba, keeping, moreover, fires burning at night in various parts of the camp, and having regular sentries, who were relieved at intervals.

At night the Base slept all together, immediately outside the za7'iba. Their innumerable small fires flashed upon a forest of spears thrust in the sand around them, occasionally lighting up their dusky forms ; while in the centre of the camp our watchfire illuminated the trees above, the tents around, and the dark background of the jungle, with its tangled creepers festooning the trees, gracefully draped by the faultless hand of nature, — the toitt ensemble creating an altogether fairy scene.

There is no doubt about it that exploration and sport are two very different things. If the traveller's object is the former, he pushes through the country as best he can, with his purpose — exploration — always in view, trusting to luck and tact to overcome the many inevitable obstacles that will beset his path.

If, however, the latter is his main object, he wants to feel pretty free to move where he likes from the camp, and cannot