14 TRAVELS IN AFRICA.

was situate on the ridge of a rising ground, about

two miles east of the stream, but so extremely

barren that we could not find, for a considerable

distance round us, a single blade of grass for

the animals. Here again some bees, that were

flying about in search of water, fastened on the

animals' backs as soon as the pack-saddles were removed 5 but on this occasion, we applied some

dry sand, which absorbed the profuse perspira-

tion that evidently attracted the thirsty bees, and by this means we got rid of our troublesome visit-

ors. Abdul Hamed made himself very useful

during this day's march, and on finding that we

expressed ourselves sensible of his attention,

he presented Captain Campbell with his bow and

arrows, modestly insinuating that a musket in

return would be most acceptable ; and this was

given him.

It was eight o'clock on the morning of the

13th, before the rear moved forward. We

marched over a gently descending plain for a

mile and a half, when we came to a small

brook named Calling Ko. The asses were as

usual stubborn, and evinced a most determined

dislike to wet their feet, which caused us much

trouble and loss of time. The country here be-

gan to wear a more fertile, or, rather, a less

barren appearance. It was thinly sprinkled with

large trees and shrubs, and produced an abund-