48 Seven Years in tJie Soudan.

Great Avas my surprise to recognize our friend Kempt, together with. Mr. Gigler, director of the telegraphs at Kliartoum. These tAVo gentlemen, Avho had come by order of the Colonel, gave me the folloAving letter: — " Dear Gessi, — Hassan Ibrahim Avill join you with these lines, and thus the staff under your orders will be complete. Wherever he may go, you Avill follow if you think it necessary. If you go to Abukaka, found a station there, and cultivate doora.

The soldiers of Gondokoro will be under your orders, and I hope in a month to see you and Anson. If you think you can do better, do not let the opportunity pass out of regard for me. — C. G. Gordon."

This letter filled me Avith joy, although, on the road I was to take, I should be obliged to cross an endless plain, and have to make two-thirds of the journey on foot and in the Avater through a country inundated by continual rains.

Having given our guests the best dinner that circumstances alloAved, Ave Avent to rest, sharing our beds and a bottle of cognac Avith them. The next morning Ave accompanied them on board the Bordecii Avhichhad cast anchor beside the Saphia, andproAnding them Avith three oxen, Ave bade them farewell.

Juli/ 9. — I sent a part of the men and Mr. Anson on board the Saphia.

July 10. — I mAself embarked, folloAved by Haggi and tAvo servants. On the way I ])erceived a magnificent hippopotamus Avhich Avas visible because of the shalloAvness of the Avater. I approached him in a boat and fired at tAventy paces distant with an explosiAe bullet, fracturing his loAver jaAv. A second shot Avounded him just on the forehead, and Haggi sent a third after him. XotAvithstanding his Avounds he did not stop, but we folloAved, and arrived in time to plant tAvo other bullets in his head. The monster fell at last struggling horribly, and uttering a terrible