At Ladb.

being covered with trees, I instantly set to work Avith the soldiers to cut them down, and to cultivate the land ; the first condition of safety being not to be surprised by ambuscades. The next day I saw the natives and their chief appear, attracted by the sound of our trumpets, stupefied by the sight of the camp, the sentinels and the tents, surrounded by a thick hedge of thorns and palings. Behind the first group ap])eared others in a company led by their chief, and staring open-mouthed, not comprehending anything of our work. Then becoming more sociable they aided in loading the fuel for the steamer, and the timber for the station. I rewarded them with glass beads, and this rendered them still more friendly to us.

On the night of the 16th we had a visit which put all the little garrison in a fright. An elephant had entered the camp, passing through a gap which had remained in the hedge, and not finding the way out, began to run about among the tents with uplifted trunk uttering terrific screams. It was impossible to fire at him without the risk of shooting some one, but at last he got out, and so the uncomfortable visit ended. On observing the tracks next morning we could see that he had formed one of a numerous herd, which were going to their usual watering-place on the Nile.

On October 20th the Commander of tlie garrison of Rejaf sent word that some armed men had been seen on the opposite bank, and that it might be Colonel Long on his return. I have already said that this officer had gone to the Sultan Mtesa, in the name of the Egyptian Grovernment.

Two words here on this Sultan Mtesa. As the ruler of Uganda he is the most powerful sovereign of central Africa. This country is better administered and cultivated than any other. The population, who are all ' Mtesa died a few years ago, and now Mwanga, his son, is king of Uganda.