g2 THROUGH UNKNOWN AFRICAN COUNTRIES. 
long interview with the old man and the ladies of his 
household, in which many jokes and pleasantries were 
exchanged; but nothing was accomplished in advancing 
my plans. However, I reminded the general of his promise 
of camels, to which he rephed that he would have a hand- 
some present ready for me in the morning. 
It rained during the night and the following morning, to 
our great disgust; but during a little break in the clouds 
I determined to move outside the village and make a start, 
at least, for Sheikh Mohammed. Fred and I bade good-by 
to Wal-da-Gubbra, the interview lasting a long time, as | 
had expected. He was most anxious that we should not 
move the caravan, and my hints that I should be obliged 
to push on if we did not get plenty of food given us had 
considerable effect, as he gave me four milch cows and 
their calves, and promised to feed all my men while they 
remained in his country, and also to make me a good 
present later on. We then left his village, after receiving 
many demonstrations of respect from the natives on all 
sides. 
The following morning we made a march of fifteen 
and a half miles to Sheikh Mohammed, the road leading 
through a grassy, undulating plain, where there were 
scarcely any trees. The country bore evidence of having 
been densely populated, not long since, by a thrifty agri- 
cultural people, large ponds having been dug on all sides, 
and a regular system of drainage carried out. At present 
nothing was growing but long, coarse grass, and not a 
single permanent dweller was to be seen. On the march | 
saw a species of antelope resembling a clippspringer, but 
larger, which was then unknown to me, 
We were delighted to reach the camp, and find every- 
thing in excellent order, and Dodson looking as hale and 
hearty as possible. It had been nearly a fortnight now 
