KOSHA and were expecting us to visit their house. Thither therefore we went, and found a tray, with china cups and saucers, a teapot, a sugar basin, and a box of EngHsh biscuits. Our hosts were most hospitable, and their large brown and white hunting dog made friends with us in a very engaging manner. The Inspector had heard of a native school somewhere to the south of Dulgo, and even whilst drinking his tea, plied our hosts with questions as to its whereabouts, and the number of people in the village, and the best way to get there. I fear that he with difficulty resisted the temptation of setting off to inspect the school then and there.

We returned to the rest-house, intending to stay the night there, for we had been assured that the train would not return from Kerma till the following day. After dinner, when the beds were ready and we were about to turn in, the telephone porter rushed in saying that the train was coming, and would only be able to stop half an hour, and that if we were going by it we must get ready without delay. With difficulty we found our servants and woke them up, and when they had realized that we had to pack up and be off, they were in despair. Just then we heard the hoot of the locomotive, and a few minutes later we saw the lights of the train as it pulled up. At that time the railway between Kerma and Kosha was being taken up, for the rails, being quite good and nearly new, were required for the Atbara and Sawakin Railway. When near Kerma the driver of the train which brought us to Dulgo found that a load of rails was ready, and he decided to couple up and to return without delay. Hence his unexpected appearance. To save him trouble our coach had been taken to the main line, and our baggage, beds, tools, water-pots, &c., had to be carried nearly a mile over rough ground, on a moonless night. The Sudani folk hate being disturbed in their sleep, especially to work in the dark, which they dread, but the soldiers worked well, and by midnight we and our belongings were once more in the train.

The following morning at dawn we found ourselves at Kosha, and we took up our abode in the excellent Government rest-house which is there. The Ma'mur knew of a boat which was suitable for our work, but it was working up the river, and would not be available until the next day. Meanwhile the Inspector devoted 443