KODOK, OR FASHODA 175 appeared. Behind were the earthworks he raised, and some rugged brick buildings used as stores, and built in the days of Egyptian possession.

Straggling southward were the mtidiria and court-house, flying the emblems of Britain and Egjpt, and guarded by diligent sentries who challenge all comers ; zaptieh, or prison, with the soldiers' " lines " in regular array ; then a large open space of cracked soil, which at times smelt as though hundreds of years of dark population had fouled it ; lastly, the less precise but still orderly lines of the suk\ or market, and the native quarters, which were expanding visibly.

Fashoda presents its worst side to the new-comer. One would judge that it backed on the river rather than fronted it. So little arrangement appears to have been made in regard to town planning, apart from broad lines, that irregularity seems to be fashion, and it forms a contrast to the orderly neatness of Belgian formations up-river. Still, great odds were encountered, and existing dispositions seem to have been made as much of as possible. After all, it is merely a mound with the river in front and marshland behind, wet indeed in the summer.

Malaria is rife, as may well be expected, but improvement in this respect is apparent even here, as the result of regulations following on the invaluable investigations in regard to the breedingplaces of the mosquitoes.

At the back of the town is a well-ordered hospital