230 UGANDA AND THE EGYPTIAN SOUDAN.

time one requires it. Writing is really one of a traveller's greatest trials. Truly a long journey in Africa is a rare lesson in patience.

On December 10 we left Liffi, and, as well as our increased escort, we were accompanied by quite a large number of Arabs and their families who, much against their will, were being sent away from the province. Most of these men had quietly quartered themselves upon some poor village chief, and compelled him and his people to supply all their wants.

They were too lazy to work, and for years had existed in this miserable manner.

The road, which was a good one, lay through a thick forest of small trees, and when half the march was accomplished we crossed the river Boru, which was eighty yards broad, but only knee-deep. Soon afterwards a long t-ange of hills can be seen to the left, about fourteen miles off. We camped at the foot of Mount Gondu, a very steep picturesque hill about 300 feet high, with a village on the top. There is only one road up to the village, and being very steep, we were content to remain at the bottom.

The grass was very high about here, so we slept on a clear space of flat rock which we discovered. It was a risky thing to do, as one is apt to get fever from the chill of the rocks; we each of us had a sharp attack of ague the next day. The village of Gondu had been placed at the top of the hill to prevent the Arabs reaching it; although they