I I 2 Seven Year's in the Sojidan.

hopes of being able to reach the mouth of the lake to-morrow. The banks are free from grass, the river here is fifteen hundred feet wide, and tlie water of a constant depth ; it is the finest stretch of river that I liave seen in Africa, and perhaps also in Europe.

March 18th. — On our way at four a.m. The river is sometimes so wide that we can hardly discern the banks. I perceived some natives occupied in the chase, and attempted to approach them, but they were distrustful, and took to precipitous flight. Then, seeing that they were not followed, they stopped at some distance, but I could not obtain the information I desired. I left this place, and in crossing the river I came upon a boat, manned b}-four natives, from whom I hoped to obtain the desired information ; but in spite of my presents I could get nothing out of them.

The sky grew dark, and a tempest came on ; so I anchored in a safe place. The hurricane began at eight ; it seemed as if the heavens were opened ; we passed the whole night under a deluge of water, accompanied by a strong wind, which did not allow us to pitch the tents.

March IdtJi, — Day came, and the rain continued. Only at eight the sun reappeared to dry us ; the boat was full of water. We hastened to lighten it, and at eleven we were on our way, entering the channel which was to take us to Magungo. The wind came from the south, but blew gently ; I hoped therefore to ai'rive at night, but our hopes soon vanished, for a fresh thunderstorm came up from IMagungo, and the mouth of the lake was agitated with great waves. So at two o'clock we anchored.

March 20th. — These interminable equinoctial tempests prevent us from advancing. To-da}', however, profiting by a period of calm, I attempted to traverse the distance which separates us from IMaofunsro.