374 Seven Years in the Soudan.

telling bim of my friend's approacliing arrival. Mdarama, altliongh on several occasions he liad renewed the assurance of his friendship and devotion to the Egyptian Government, replied with diffidence, as is general with all African potentates, and it is not surprising after so many bloody acts committed in jMonbuttu, by order of Yussuf Bey.

"The last letter I received from Dr. Junker is dated from Dem Bekir, where he found everything in perfect order, and the porters, numbering two hundred and thirty, ready to depart. The day after his arrival there, Dr. Junker received the agreeable news that King Mdaraiiia was only a few hours away, and was coming himself to meet and welcome him.

" In fact, Mdarama arrived, Avas received with all honour, and during three days there was dancing, music and illuminations. Dr. Junker astonished the king with the lanterns, organette, and a masquerade representing all the wild beasts in Africa. Mdarama went on to prepare lodgings, leaving Dr. Junker an escort of fifteen men to assist him on the way. As might be expected all has proceeded well till now, but at present the season is too far advanced for Dr. Junker to make a rapid journey to Monbuttu. It will be much if our friend can reach Mbio's district. On leaving Dem Gugio he will have to cross a small river, called the Dislii by the natives, which, after traversing the territory of Bahr-el-Ghazal, takes the name of Khor Dembo. Then he must cross the Busseri and then the Jur. We have a post of observation within a few hours of the Busseri. When he has crossed the river Komo, which is a branch of the Jur, he will enter the country of the Shere tribe, settled near the little river called by the natives JSTomatella. He will traverse the possessions of King Isolongo (who has been dead for some time, his kingdom being now governed by his son Tissa), and finally he will enter Mdarama's kingdom, crossing