486 LETTERS TO DR. SCHWEINFURTH.

Amadi into the Sayadin river. One of their runaway servants has arrived here; he accompanied them as far as Jur Ghattas, and escaped, when they started for Hofrat-en-Nahas. He has heard that war is going on in Shakka, and also that Nur Bey, Bakhit Bey, and an Englishman are on the Bahr-el-Ghazal.”

Such hallucinations are rife here, but the real fact is, that if a legitimate Government still exists in Khartum, as I hope it does, it must have given us up for lost long ago, or has supposed that I should hand over the province at once—the most baseless presumptions possible. Shame upon those who have forsaken us—without even asking after us!

It was now my principal task to open up the way to Kabréga. Dr. Junker’s futile efforts showed me that nothing could be effected with the help of Anfina and Kamisoa. If I once got command of the road to Kabrega, I might be able to send a letter to the missionaries, and another to my old friend, the Katikiro (Prime Minister) of Uganda, and through him—by means of money and fair words—to the Arab merchants of Zanzibar who are domiciled in Uganda. ‘This would be a great gain. Icould count on Kabréga’s help, for he had always been kindly disposed towards me, and received me warmly, while two of the Arabs living in his capital were old acquaintances of mine in Uganda, and honest men. At last, on August 21, I succeeded in finding a messenger, who at once took charge of letters and presents for Kabréga and Masudi, and promised to deliver them faithfully. He started off early on August 22, taking our best wishes with him. The following route was prescribed for him: from Wadelai to Faroketo, one day; from Faroketo to Chief Boki’s, on the lake, one day; from Boki by boat to the eastern shore, and along the shore to Kibiro, two days in good weather; from Kibiro to Kabréga’s residence, two days; that is, ten to twelve days, including halts.

I had sent men to Makraka from Rejaf, and news came from there at the beginning of September. All the stations were untouched, but deserted ; some chiefs had been carried off by the Danagla. None of the latter remained either in Makraka or in Amadi; Abd-es-Samat’s stations were also evacuated. We have no news from the Bahr-el-Ghazal, but