284 UGANDA AND THE EGYPTIAN SOUDAN.

were lurking in the shadowy branches, and beckoning to us, calling us to avenge their fate.

We were four days in marching from Tuaisha to Omchanga ; the ground is sandy and rolling in character; there is only one small hill about halfway, and thorn bushes and adansonias were plentiful. We found the water, which is stored in the trees, very good, and without these trees I do not know how the people could exist. The labour of filling them is very great. A platform is erected at the top of the tree, and the water, which has to be fetched from great distances, is hoisted up in buckets and emptied into the hollow trunk. When full the top is sealed up until the water is required for use. The pulp surrounding the seeds of the fruit of the baobab is very refreshing on the march ; being slightly acid it quenches the thirst ; the seeds themselves are hard and tasteless. Between Tuaisha and Omchanga, we saw great numbers of parrots and other birds of various sizes and of brilliant plumage.

The country seemed alive with guinea-fowl and antelopes. We did not indulge in any sport on the march, so they were left in quiet peace as far as we were concerned.

Slatin Bey had furnished us with some dried bread, w-hich we soaked in water. This with sardines, olives, and a little cheese, a gift from the Greek merchant, was sumptuous fare, and a great improvement on the dhurra or dok'n cakes which