laboured at the task and we despaired of salvation.

In the end, after many searchings of heart, vvc found a man of the Nuer tribe who knew the secret of the waters, and he removed the barrier. We questioned him concerning the matter, and he informed us that it was custom of his tribe to tie the floating weeds together, in order that the cattle might cross from one side of the river to the other. Furthermore, when the season of summer arrived and the waters of the rivers dried in their beds, the natives were wont to drive their cattle to the river's bank in order to graze and drink. But the merchants, as they came and went to barter their goods, would shoot the animals as they drank of the river and steal the flesh. So it was that, to prevent the merchants from destroying their cattle, the savages increased the size of the barrier. Then we continued on our way until we arrived at Meshra el Rek, where I hired some blacks as porters and started by land in the Bahr el Ghazal, my desire being to explore new country that had never previously been visited by merchants. Wherefore I ceased not to pass through the country of Jankat and the Jurs and El Bangu, until I came to the land of Golo, over which was set one Kuwaki. I was treated by him with great honour and hospitality, and I traded in the country until I had accumulated a great abundance of ivory, ostrich feathers, and other of the more valuable products of those parts. These I sent