170 THROUGH UNKNOWN AFRICAN COUNTRIES. 
days’ march from El Modu a small pool of water was 
usually to be found, but that this sometimes dried up, and 
that if we did not find water in it, we should be obliged 
to go on for two days more. I had much reason to fear 
this waterless tract of country, as the camels were in such 
a poor condition that they were unfit for taking long 
marches and carrying heavy loads of water. Still, I was 
obliged to have the water barrels filled to their utmost 
capacity, and go ahead. 
We started out on March 6, and had a long, weary 
march of eight hours, the majority of the camels reaching 
camp very much fagged out, and two of them having to be 
left behind. The country was very mountainous, and cov- 
ered with dense, bushy jungles, where giraffes are to be 
found in great numbers. I made a change nowamong my 
gun-bearers and Dodson’s boys. Yusif, one of my gun- 
bearers, was a very willing fellow, but if I told him to do 
one thing, he would surely do just the opposite, and_per- 
haps go miles to accomplish his object. He had had a lot 
of experience in Africa with Captain Lugard and others, 
but he had no brains. He understood enough, however, 
to collect insects, so I gave him a sweep-net and killing- 
bottle, and told him he should now become a great natu- 
ralist. Yusif was also to look after Dodson’s tent, and help 
my cook with his dishes. I then selected two boys, 
Karsha and Aden Aoule, to act as my gun-bearers along 
with my good servant Abdi Farrah. 
Karsha was a well-known character in African explora- 
tions, having been with Count Teleki when Lake Rudolf 
was discovered, and having served also under Mr. Astor 
Chanler, remaining faithful to that gentleman after almost 
all his men had deserted. Aden Aoule was another good 
man, a little past middle age, and the best skinner I have 
seen, excluding professionals. Besides Yusif, I gave 
