300 UGANDA AND THE EGYPTIAN SOUDAN.

their necks, and sometimes even had to swim short distances, in which cases part of the men held fast the rope, until the others had regained their footing. Two of them were carried off and drowned, and three more would have shared tnelsame'Tate, but for the exertions of a man in our boat, who swam with a line to them, by means of which we hauled them in. The scenery along the banks was most beautiful, and the river was fringed on each side by splendid trees. The hippopotami kept showing their huge heads within a few yards of the boat, and our men often came to one asleep ; who, when disturbed, gave a long stare at the intruders, and then silently slipped into the water and swam away. The natives, in spite of the hard work, laughed and sang as they went, making merry over the mishaps their companions might encounter, such as falls, or knocks, or a tumble into a hole. Each batch of men were to receive an ox at the end of the journey, so probably the prospect of a feast served to keep up their spirits. As we approached each native village, our bugle was sounded, and a new band of natives came down to take their share of the work ; hauling up boats, or porterage, is the tax which they pay to the Government. Most of the men wore ornaments of flowers, either stuck into the string which is worn round the waist, or into their earrings, or hung in chains round the neck. At times the men could hardly make headway against the river's