AYAK, A NEST OF SLAVE-TRADERS. 331 chiefs, by their so-called masters, from fear that on my arrival complaints would be made to me. Tor over an hour we wandered along in the midst of corn-fields, with their small watchhuts, until at last we were greeted in a clearing by a long row of about two hundred well-armed Danagla, an indication that we should find an immense number of slaves in the station. My small company of soldiers (ten men) formed a comical contrast to the forces of the Danagla.

The station is called Ayak. Dufalla, or Defa’allah, as it should perhaps be called, is the name of its Governor, a scamp of the first water, distinguished even in this respect above his fellows: Koran in hand, he plunders far and wide. The situation of Ayak, between Shambe, Rumbek, and Amadi,. would especially fit it to be the capital of the entire district, and it is impossible to understand why Rumbek, where even water can hardly be obtained, has occupied that position hitherto.

The environment of Ayak is gloomy in the extreme. The trees have been cut down, and a rolling plain covered by grass extends on all sides. The soil is a sticky yellow loam, and it would seem to be often flooded, to judge from the great pools of yellow water which even at this season we saw in the fields. The river, which makes a sharp bend close by the station, is one hundred and nine feet broad at the southern ford, and varies from four feet three inches to four feet eight inches in depth. The banks are at present about fifteen feet above the level of the water, and consist of pure reddish-brown sandy clay unmixed by stone; in fact, not a single rock or stone is to be seen as far as the eye can reach. ‘The station itself consists of irregular congeries of huts and zertbas, mostly built on high platforms; but as many people have also settled upon the ground, it occupies a considerable area. Very few gardens are to be seen, for the people here can think of nothing but slaves. If, however, proper canals were dug and irrigation employed, much might be expected here. ‘The population consists of the scum of Khartiim, Berber, Dongola, &c. The men who were too lazy to work or could not exist there came here and built huts, where they live, with their wives and servants, at the expense of the Negroes. In round num-