110 DUFILE TO FATIKO.

little dirty water covered with reeds, and by one of these puddles we rested at midday. There is no doubt, however, that the soil is full of water, as proved by the fine tall-stemmed Kigelias, and still more by the bushes of date-palms, which always require a wet subsoil. We continued in the same direction, and almost in a straight line, until we met with tolerable drinking water in a deep khor, on which account we took up our quarters there for the night.

On the march I was struck by a singular cloud phenomenon. Light patches of haze appeared simultaneously in the clear blue sky, and descending, collected into small round snowy clouds. These remained stationary for a time, then became ragged at the edges, grew more transparent and brighter, and disappeared in the form of mist, leaving the sky once more clear and blue. This display was repeated several times, the wind being south-westerly and the temperature cool (10.35 AM., 76.1" Fahr.)

The precipitation in the night was so considerable that in the morning everything was wet through, yet by 4.35 A.M. we were again on the way, the road leading straight on. Shivering, the caravan proceeded by the clear light of the full moon; neither porters nor men cared to talk; it was too cold. Besides, we were quite enveloped by high grass, which made it necessary to have our guns always ready, for just about here leopards at any rate are very plentiful. When at last the moon went down, and the purple-red disc of the sun appeared in the east, every one was thankful for the coming warmth; we had, however, gained our point, for we had left behind us a long waterless stretch of ground. ‘The road from I*atiko resembles that by which we reached it. The country consists of terraces; we descended from one plateau to another over level stretches of red clay, in which islands of black soil cropped out. Between two solitary hills a lovely view was disclosed of the long chain of the Madi mountains, with their numerous peaks. Shortly after, our path joined the old main road, and we halted at Khor-et-Tin, a grey, dirty stream. . On this march I again noticed with admiration the keen sight of my black attendants, one of whom suddenly left us at