The Meeting with Gordon.

grows wild tlirougliout the Soudan, was not to be found in tlie territory I crossed from Kalaka to Darra.

But game is very abundant. AYe found gazelles, antelopes, and, near tlie ponds formed by the rain, myriads of geese and ducks of all species. Lions and leopards are also numerous, and no native ever ventures out of his house, either by day or night, without carrying two or three lances.

The rains had ceased a few days ago, and the water we met with was very bad and of a red colour. After two days of quick marching, I arrived at Darra. Generally the distance takes three days, or three and a half, but I wanted to lose no time.

At Darra 1 was received by the major commanding the garrison, and was not a little surprised to learn that His Excellency Gordon Pasha was at Tueslia, about two and a half days' distance from Darra. The Governor of the latter phice had gone to meet His Excellency, and I could not do otherwise than continue the march to Tuesha at the same pace as before. I therefore, after partaking of a splendid banquet offered by the major, departed, accompanied by a guide furnished by the Vice-Governor.

From Darra to Tuesha water is still more needed, and for half the way I found myself entirely without any. Three villages we passed were deserted from the same cause, and I could do nothing but gallop a whole day so as to arrive at a station where I knew water was to be had.

It was really unpardonable negligence not to have provided myself at Darra, and I owed it to the good qualities of my horse that no misfortune happened to me. When we arrived in sight of Tuesha my tongue was swollen, and my mouth inflamed from thirst.

But I was not so much afraid for myself as for my horse, which had galloped the whole way and might fall exhausted at any moment.

At last we arrived at a village and could quench our thirst. I could not drink enough, and cannot