280 FATIKO TO FAUVERA.

After a long walk through high grass we reached, at Ras-el-Fil, the road we had previously traversed; here were some pools of water, being all that was left of Khor Lio, which is said to flow into the larger Khor Tabaru during the rainy season; the latter, in its turn, pours itself into the Nile near Anfina’s island. rancolins abound here. After a long search, we at last discovered some dark stagnant water in a hollow, and by it we encamped, after a march of seven hours and a half. The place is called by the natives Modo, but by the soldiers Ras-el-Maye, because pools of water are said to exist here all the year. The formation of the ground we next passed over was remarkable. Probably there was once an even slope down to the river, but the upper layer has been washed away, and where harder ground has resisted the action of water long ridges remain standing. Their elevation above the level of the country is insignificant, but, following their direction, a number of broad furrows or depressions have been formed, generally containing mud, water, and rank vegetation.

As the road runs, as a rule, along the top of the ridges, and therefore parallel to these depressions, the general effect is the same as when passing between rows of low hills. The country sinks towards the river. ‘There was no scenery to speak of; high grass and woods alone were visible. After passing the point where the road to Anfina’s branches off, we again left the “‘ old road,” and, instead of turning towards Khor Kabuli, we took a more southerly direction, passed a Shifalu village hidden in forest, and were informed by the cry of Haliaétus vocifer that the Nile was near. This bird and Lobdivanellus senegalensis can be heard at a considerable distance, and their cry is a sure sign of the proximity of water. A quarter of an hour later, the river, divided by large rush islands, lay on our right, and, shortly after, we reached Khor Kabuli and the hill which marks its confluence with the Nile. The former landing-place at the khor was entirely overgrown with rushes and papyrus, so that the water was quite hidden. ‘The river has here also a broad fringe of papyrus, through which boats are pushed with difficulty, and the landing-place at Fauvera alone is free from this obstruction. Fauvera, which we soon reached, was in process of renovation. It was among the stations abandoned last