38 UGANDA AND THE EGYPTIAN SOUDAN.

were almost uncler the walls, so that only three

soldiers, together with a drummer and a bugler,

had time to don their whites and turn out to bid me welcome. My old friend Farag Aga Ajok came

hurrying up, buckling on his sword, delighted to

see me again. It was quite a surprise for him, as

for them all, as they had never once thought of my

appearing there again so soon. All the men were

at work making new earthworks, and were on this

account not presentable for the reception of a friend

and guest; though for an enemy they were quite

prepared, their arms being piled close at hand, in

case of emergency.

I was quite tired out, and very glad to get some

food; the short commons on which I had been

perforce subsisting and the long marches having

told on me not a little. I then wrote letters, and

within an hour after my arrival I had sent off

a mail, which I afterwards found reached Lado in

eleven days—a very short time. I was much dis-

appointed to find that the Isile was still blocked,

and that in consequence no letters had come for

me. The officers at Mruli were delighted about my return, holding as they do such a bad opinion

of Uganda. They never expected to see me again

;

rumours of our difficulties in Rubaga having

reached Mruli. They, too, had had their troubles

during my absence. Some of the soldiers had been

killed by the Longos, who live on the east of the