THROUGH FRENCH UBANGI 51 



silver loops through the distant valley, now visible, 

 now invisible, on and on, casting a spell of mystical 

 enchantment, till the bright line merged in the magic 

 waters of Lake Lere. 



We had a few days at our disposal while a mess- 

 enger went on to Fort Lamy to make the necessary 

 arrangements for our transport on the Logone river, 

 by which route we intended to travel to that post. 



We confided to M. Bertaut our desire to visit the 

 lake meantime, and with his help all was made easy for 

 us. He added fuel to the flame of our curiosity by 

 telling how three expeditions had been there to make 

 a scientific survey, but on no occasion had the sounding 

 line proved sufficiently long, and each one had failed to 

 plumb the depth. It is a curious challenge to the laws 

 of geology, for the lake is but some thirty miles in 

 circumference, and the neighbouring hills are little 

 more than 100 feet in height; but Africa is a country 

 of contradictions. 



We procured the use of a steel canoe, then at Lere 

 in connection with the French transport service, and 

 within a short time of our embarkation slipped down 

 the placid current of the Mao Kabi and were on the 

 lake. To the south low hills slope steeply down, 

 and on them domed villages nestle in undisturbed 

 solitude. Beneath was a black ridge of rock, and 

 then a dazzling sheet of blue water, shot with many 

 coloured tints as the wind swept a ripple across the 

 surface, and wafted myriads of bright-hued dragon-fly, 

 perched on their rafts of dancing cockle-shells. 



On the northern shore the land is flat. Li the 

 distance a shadowy forest of palms is sometimes to be 

 seen, and between it and the lake are reaches of broad 



