240 UGANDA AND THE EGYPTIAN SOUDAN.

The men at once constructed a good camp on the other side ; and a post arriving to say that the oxen were only a few hours off, we dismissed our porters, which proceeding we subsequently much regretted, as the news proved to he untrue. No cattle appearing the next day we sent Ali Agha to find them, and enjoyed a picnic by the river; as there were plenty of fine trees to give us shade, we were very comfortable. There were several disturbances among the Arabs who travelled with us, for whenever soldiers and women get together there are sure to be disputes ; Saati Efi'endi had much trouble in keeping the peace. In the afternoon the water looked so inviting that we went to a secluded spot to take a bath, a luxury we had not enjoyed for some time. We got into the water, but unfortunately a boy noticed us, and at once ran back to the camp and gave them the information.

All turned out—both men and women—and were delighted to see white men in the water, but we were not equally pleased to see them, and cut short our bath. I may add that we found the water unusually buoyant.

Ali Agha returned the next day, telling us that no oxen had been collected, but he had succeeded in getting thirteen, and the rest would follow in the afternoon. Therefore he advised us to start, which we did, making some of the irregular soldiers carry a few of our most necessary loads.