012 UGAXDA JXD THE EGYPTIAN SOUDAN.

An average of 100,000 cwts. of gum is sent a-way from Obeid yearly ; during the time we were there, they were selling the gum at six dollars the cwt., hut the price varies much according to the season.

There is a good regimental band at Obeid, which plays before the Eudirieh each afternoon, but I think the band at Dara would carry off the palm. A good view of Gebel Abou Senoun is obtained from Obeid ; this is the only mountain which can be seen. We were able to telegraph to London from Obeid, and the thought of telegraphic communication with England being possible made us feel quite near home.

We left Obeid on February 3, and on the 5th arrived at Bara. On this march one of our Waganda boys was robbed ; he went on before when we turned off the main road to camp at Msour, and we did not find him until the next day. Near this village we saw the last of the baobab-trees, which do not grow farther north.

Bara is a very pretty town ; the wells are only twenty or thirty feet deep, and there are splendid gardens; all kinds of fruits and vegetables can be bought. We met here a very interesting man, named Said Mahomed Bashir Hagi El Mugon, whose occupation is to travel from Timbuctoo to Mecca Avitli pilgrims. He told us that he would be willing to take us to Timbuctoo, and that the journey would occupy a year.