232 EXPEDITION INTO [Chap. XXVI. 



Lingkling, the embouchure of which is not many 

 miles above that of the Umpeban, our difficuhies 

 were not a httle increased by the broken and stony 

 character of the country. 



On the 17th, whilst crossing a nameless and in-, 

 significant stream, the treacherous appearance of 

 which had induced us to follow a path ploughed by 

 hippopotami, the pack-waggon became suddenly 

 ingulfed in a quagmire. The trektouvo, or leathern 

 trace, having been nibbled by alligators, twice snap- 

 ped in the attempt to extricate it by double pur- 

 chase ; and all other resources failing, we were at 

 length actually compelled to dig it out ! This sub- 

 sequently unfortunate vehicle was shortly afterwards 

 upset for the first time during our journey, by the 

 carelessness of Frederick, who had been appointed 

 to the post of leader of the team, vice April, re- 

 moved. With one hind wheel on the slope of a steep 

 bank, and the other in a deep hollow, it vibrated 

 for some seconds, as though the turn of a hair were 

 to decide whether it should stand or fall. " It's 

 over " — " now it's safe " — " No, gone by heavens ! " 

 burst from half a dozen mouths at once ; and just 

 sufficient time having elapsed to admit of the in- 

 mates effecting their escape, down it went with an 

 appalling crash, the wheels appearing uppermost, 

 and the motley contents displaying themselves in 

 admirable disorder. Peltry, merchandize, and hun- 

 ting trophies — camp furniture, tinman's wares, and 

 oilman's stores, were speedily strewed upon the 

 plain ; whilst ten thousand leaden bullets, having 



