THE WORLD'S WONDERS. 183 



accompany him, particularly since neither slaves nor ivory had 

 been secured in the Latooka or Obbo countries. In fact, up to 

 this time both expeditions had been practically failures, as hard- 

 ships had been constant and progress retarded by incessant diffi- 

 culties. Ibrahim had a force of more than two hundred men, 

 and this made his company very agreeable to Baker, who, if 

 alone, must have fallen a victim to the murderous Bari tribes 

 whose business was war and plunder, and through whose country 

 they were compelled to pass. 



Katchiba, who had become extremely fond of his white guests, 

 was induced to sell Baker three oxen, which were purchased as 

 riding animals, as these were more serviceable for the purpose 

 than any other animals in that country. On the 5th of January 

 the combined party started on their journey, Mrs. Baker riding 

 one of the oxen and her indomitable husband another, while the 

 third was loaded with supplies. On account of extreme shyness 

 the ox which Baker rode was unharnessed and driven awhile until 

 it should become accustomed to the people, but the moment it 

 was loosed it ran off with all possible speed into the jungle and 

 was never seen again. They had not gone far when a large fly 

 fastened on the rump of Mrs. Baker's ox, the effect of which 

 was to produce so sudden a kick and plunge that she was thrown 

 to the ground with much violence, bruising and stunning her. 

 Ibrahim very civilly gave her another ox, however, which she 

 was fortunately still able to ride ; but Baker had no other altern- 

 ative than to walk, although he was so weak that several times 

 the caravan had to halt to allow him to rest ; but he continued 

 the march until they arrived at Farajoke, eighteen miles from 

 Obbo, where he purchased an ox. 



A COUNTRY FLOWING WITH MILK AND HONEY. 



ON the 13th of January they reached a town called Shooa, 

 where they received a most friendly welcome, and found the place, 

 in figurative language, "flowing with milk and honey." Fowls, 

 butter, goats, etc., were in abundance and very cheap; beads 

 were of great value, as few had ever reached that country. The 

 women flocked to see Mrs. Baker, bringing presents of milk and 



