236 UGANDA AND THE EGYPTIAN SOUDAN.

pass 200 feet higher than our camp ; we had Gebel Kishinia on our left, and from this point Mount Masoro could be seen some twelve miles northnorth-west. The ground slopes off to the northeast, and there are many dried-up swamps. Game of all kinds abounded ; buffaloes, antelopes, and giraffes could often be seen, and our men to their great delight killed two of the former ; one of the buffaloes received thirteen bullets before he fell. When the first buffalo was killed we had a good opportunity of seeing with what order and speed a caravan can be collected together in case of an attack. When the first shots were fired, our men prepared for a fight ; the advanced guard fell back, the rear-guard closed in, the goods were all piled up and the ammunition boxes opened ; but it turning out to be a false alarm, soon a rush was made to the buffalo, and in less than half an hour he was cut up and divided amongst the porters.

Buffalo steaks for supper and tongue for breakfast the next morning were a great treat. Just before camping we passed some curious igneous rocks.

Water was very scarce at this time of year, and, when we encamped, it could not be found for some time, our porters being so overpowered with thirst that they sucked the mud in the half-dried pools to get a little moisture. Eahad-ez-Zurzur was the name of our camp.

Two hours' march on December 17 brought us to