334 UGANDA AND THE EGYPTIAN SOUDAN.

and along this there are two roads from east to west which are used by his men; the road leading to Uganda crossing these at different points. The first batch of porters who had been sent for our goods, had been attacked in this border-land ; and Mtesa heard from Kabrega of his intention to try and capture us, his former attempt to do so between Magungo and Keroto having been unsuccessful.

I shall not soon forget our march across this piece of country. We were encamped in a forest, and soon after midnight the drums began to beat and we were told we must start again. Being wearied with the previous day's journey we refused, but it was useless to try to sleep longer, the noise was too great. Drums were beating, horns were blowing, men were shouting and crying, so we made a virtue of necessity, and prepared to start. On coming out of our huts we saw a strange scene ; the whole wood was lit up by the bright moonlight and the lurid glare of many huts which had been fired to give sumcient light to the porters who were collecting the goods and arranging themselves into different bands, while the soldiers of each chief rallied to his standard. At last all was ready, and the drums of the head chief gave the signal to march.

The other chiefs took up positions to see their men pass, and as each warrior went by he saluted his chief by brandishing his spear and shield, uttering at the same time a fierce yell, and then vanished into