LACATECOURAH. 209 hill on which the village of Lacatecourah is situated, which prevented their seeing the pyrotechnic display in which we indulged the previous evening, on hearing that they were lost. We found the nights, away from the river, much colder, and were very glad of our blankets. My horse, which had lasted better than any of the others, began to show signs of a sore back. No amount of care bestowed on our horses seemed to stop this, and sooner or later they all suffered in the same way.

More of our camels gave out also. Two days previously one had died of that mysterious disease, the guffer ; and on the journey from Khor Meheteb two had had to be left behind.

In the morning we thoroughly explored the village, which was most curious. A primitive portcullis-like gate, near the foot of the hill, gave access to a steep path, up which we climbed ; huts were built at about half way up to the top.

There seemed to be almost a greater number of women than men ; and we greatly delighted many of them, by presenting them with glass beads, kokl for their eyes, and looking-glasses, while among the men we distributed a large number of knives. Some of the women's heads were remarkable objects, beads of all shapes and colours being regularly worked into the hair.

The view from the top of the hill, or rock, for it is not much more, is extensive, but by no means beautiful ; a great plain covered chiefly by leafless trees does not constitute a lovely prospect. From one of the Base we bought a baby baboon to add -to our menagerie, which already consisted of two small green monkeys and a tortoise.' We decided on moving the camp to some wells in a kho7', about an hour farther on, called Abou Sellal, and remaining there for the day to allow the camels time to rest and feed. We felt we had a long journey I We succeeded in bringing all these animals to England alive.