Sudan Archive

MARAKO'S. 27

The ground can be divided into two parts ; the first

six days took me to Kahura, Marako's headquarters,

and is through inhabited country ; the remainder of

the way is all through jungle. I give a map of my

route, which I believe to be accurate.* It was con-

structed with watch and prismatic compass. I

found, on its being subsequently worked out by

Dr. Emin Bey, that it coincided exactly with his

own observation at Marako's village, and that it was

only half a minute different from his position for

Mruli. I do not think that a road mapped out in

this manner can be much nearer the truth.

For thirty miles the road passes over low ranges

of hills, covered with banana-groves, and is at first

very stony, but soon changes to clay ; in the valleys

are swamps, some of which are very deep ; the

drainage is to the north-west. At this time of the

year more swamps have to be crossed, and in con-

sequence marching is far more difficult than it was

on my journey to Kubaga. Every night we stopped

at a village, and the people were very friendly, pro-

ducing food for my people and myself. I was a

great source of wonder to them, and wherever we

stopped they came in crowds to visit me. Machandi,

the chief in command of my escort, was accompanied

by three of his wives and two slave girls, a Mganda

and a Mhuma, who carried a child turn and turn.

I gave them a few beads, and they seemed to take

See Map, vol. i.

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