THE WORLD'S WONDERS. 141 



ragged, lean and much careworn. After embracing, the three 

 adventurous Englishmen repaired to one of the boats, and there, 

 seated under an awning, they talked upon the one subject so 

 absorbing to them all, namely, the source of the Nile. Speke 

 gave Baker much information concerning the natives of the 

 interior and the best routes for his journey, at the same time 

 encouraging him to pursue his intended explorations, as there 

 were possibly other sources of the Nile than the Victoria lake, 

 which circumstances had not permitted him to seek for. Speke 

 entertained some doubts about Victoria lake being the sole source 

 of the Nile, because he had been told by Kamrasi that there was 

 a river or lake called the Luta N'zige, which extended in a direct 

 line from south to north with the same general system of drainage 

 as the Nile, and in like direction, and which he believed held a 

 very important position in the Nile basin. Speke gave Baker his 

 maps and written instructions how to proceed. 



On the 2Gth of February Speke and Grant sailed from Gon- 

 dokoro for home, while Baker at once proceeded to strike for 

 the interior, regardless of the danger which threatened him from 

 his treacherous force, relying almost wholly upon the protection 

 and assistance of the Turk Mohamed, who promised to accom- 

 pany him to where his ivory was stored, which would require but 

 a few days' time. 



A TROUBLESOME BIRD. 



AFTER the departure of Speke and Grant, Baker moved his 

 tent to the high ground above the river ; the effluvium from the 

 tilth of some thousands of people was disgusting, and fever was 

 prevalent in all quarters. Baker and his wife were both sick, 

 also several of the men, one of whom died. The animals were 

 all healthy, but the donkeys and camels were attacked by a bird, 

 about the size of a thrush, which caused them great uneasiness. 

 This bird is a greenish brown color, with a powerful red beak 

 and excessively strong claws. It is a perfect pest to animals, 

 and positively eats holes into them. The original object of the 

 bird in settling upon the animal is to search for vermin, but it is 

 not contented with the mere insects, and industriously pecks 



