328 UGANDA AND THE EGYPTIAN SOUDAN.

grass and a few stunted acacias. There are, too, some large herds of goats, the price of a good-sized animal being one dollar.

The men on this route were quite incapable of telling the distance of a stage. When asked, they invariably answered " God knows," which, although perfectly true, did not give the required information ; and a long conversation had to be held before we could get any idea as to the length of the march. When they said that the place for camping was " karib " (near), it generally meant that another two hours' march was before us ; and if they said we were " there," three-quarters of an hour more would probably be required. The men have a patron sheikh, long since gathered to his fathers, and on the march they continually invoke his protection by constant cries of his name, " Sheikh Abdallah Pihad—ah— "; this, with the " he-ho !

hiss ! " to urge on the camels, becomes very monotonous and irritating. The camels of our caravan were all strung together on the march, a rope being tied behind the teeth round the lower jaw, and fastened to the tail of the preceding camel. Should the rope become unfastened, which often happens, the camel halts until it is again secured. The silence of the desert is very impressive, and one has a curious sensation of freedom mingled with awe.

From Ariab the road rapidly ascended, passing