Seven Years in the Soudan.

who could aid us in collectiiif fuel. The soldiers and sailors of the f<(if\({ received rations for a fortnight, and by four in the afternoon we were en route for Wau. There we met with the military and the two nuf/ars. We delivered the letters, Avith the result that fifty soldiers immediately set to work to gather wood.

route again at half-past three ]).m. In the evening Ave arrived, at the first station of the territory dependent on our Colonel. This place is called Sobat. The station is composed of some forty huts ; the ])lace Avas deserted and giAen in custody to a Sheik. I took a gun to go in search of fresh proA'isions ; Anson and a servant came with me, and in a short time Ave discoAered the fresh traces of a wild boar, r had my hunting-piece ; my carbine I had given to the servant. In this country one must ahvays have tAvo or three guns to hand, because it happens sometimes that, hx an iuAersion of parts, the game becomes the hunter. I Avas following the traces of a boar Avhen I obserAxd on the soil, Avhicli Avas still dam]), the recent imprints of a lion. I followed them for about an hour, and then lost them in a clump of high grass. I saAV seA'eral AAild boars, but it was not possible to approach them. Returning on board, I chanced upon a coA'ey of scA'enteen partridges, and succeeded in bringing down eleven, Avhile the rest took refuoe in the lonor orrass. I also killed four quails. The African quail is much smaller than the European, and its feathers are darker.

On board, the Sheik was presented to me ; his first words were to tell me that he was hungry, and had come with his son to have something to eat. I told them to give him some doora in a pumpkin cut in two, and some water. In less time than it can be told all had disappeared. Alen he Avent away I caused the little bag he carried Avith him to be filled Avith doora.

The tract of country Avhere Sobat stands is some-