104 Seven Years in the Soudan.

I had taken was not adapted for the passage of steamers directed to the lake.

March 12tk. — I employed the morning in search of the right channel, and found it to be navigable, although the mouth was almost hidden by the aquatic vegetation. I left this place at 8.15 a.m. and took a north-westerly direction, along the shore inhabited by the tribe of the Adrus. These natives speak the dialect of the Madi. I observed an elevated Avoody spot, well suited for establishing a station. The inhabitants seemed very timid, for as soon as they saw us they abandoned the village and their cattle, and fled inland. Afterwards, as we were withdrawing, they returned to their houses. The wind was not favourable, and the boats scarcely made any progress. We cast anchor at sis in the evening.