Htmting.

37 Mean-svhile I continued my jonruev to the Balir-el-Ghazal.

This river has an imperceptible falL We stopped in sight of an immense forest h'ing opposite the tribe of the JSTuer. The captain of the Saphla had never been in these parts, nor had anv steamer ventured to penetrate so far. Not knowing whether fuel could be found further on, Captain Hussein ordered the men to take in as much wood as the vessel could carry. We had hardly cast anchor when we perceived a hundred paces off some fifteen huts, which the natives, at sight of us, had abandoned in headlong haste, fearing that they would be captured and enslaved.

The crew of the vessel and the soldiers took possession of the tools of the natives to cut down the trees, but their first thought was to plunder the dAvellings of these poor people. I immediately summoned them all before me, and ordered the return of the stolen articles, and my commands were promptly obeyed. I then asked them if they took me for a brigand-chief instead of an officer, and ordered everything to be restored to the place whence it was taken, warning all that the first who should attempt an act of plunder should be instantly shot.

The forest has the appearance of a park of immense tamarind and gum-trees, centuries old. I took my gun and tried to shoot a few guinea-fowl. The heat was excessive. I returned on board with the intention of resuming the chase with Haggi, who was busy making cartridges. While we were at dinner, a soldier came to say that he had seen several buffaloes in the neighbourhood. The temptation was too great. I landed with Haggi, and made the soldier lead us to the place. We were following the tracks of the buffaloes when a small but deep water-course blocked our way. We returned on board, and had ourselves taken to the other side of the brook, where we landed. We had not proceeded