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CHAPTER X. 



THE SHARI. 



(JANUARY 15-23.) 



It was with real regret that we set out from Fort 

 Lamy, and parted with our French friends ; but the 

 prospect before us was a j)leasant one, for we were/ 

 now bound for Lake Chad. 



The big Kotoko city of Gulfei, in the Kamerun, 

 was our immediate objective, and we rode there along 

 the right shore of the Shari, as there were reported to 

 be very bad swamps on the other side. 



It was the zakis' first march. They travelled both 

 together in the little wicker cage with a wooden floor, 

 on which they had habitually played " King-of-the- 

 castle." Mandara, their nurse, carried them, and they 

 accepted the position quite philosophically, looking out 

 with wondering eyes at the incidents of the road and 

 then falling asleep curled up against each other. The 

 bush camps amused them immensely, and the moment 

 they were liberated they would start off to explore, 

 usually in opposite directions — for they were afraid of 

 nothing. We had to keep a close watch on them lest 

 some village cur might not respect the little lords, or 

 lest they might pick up a few chickens for their 



