THE EXPLOEATION OF LAKE CHAD 71 



to carry sections of this kind, and out of my seven men I 

 could only rely upon five. There were twelve sections in 

 all ; those of the stern and bow took two men each to carry, 

 the remainder four apiece. So with the five men at my 

 disposal I calculated with dismay that it would take me at 

 least three weeks to move the boats to this camp — allowing 

 the journey from Kaddai and back to take a day, to say 

 nothing of the porterage of the baggage. Even then open 

 water would not be reached. 



I returned to Kaddai very tired the same evening, and 

 my dejected looks were quickly noticed by the "boys." The 

 cry of '" Bahu rua, babu rua'' ("No water, no water ") was 

 soon passed round the camp. Jose had by now taken the 

 boats to pieces, and the roofs of the houses had to be pulled 

 down for their sticks by which to carry the sections. The 

 next day I put my little column in motion and with Jose's 

 help the " boys " managed to carry a large and a small sec- 

 tion. As they were unused to the work, it took us two days, 

 instead of one as I had hoped, to reach the new camp. Jose 

 then returned with the " boys " to Kaddai to prepare for 

 another journey, while I left for Kowa and Kukawa in the 

 hopes of being able to enlist some help. I took with me the 

 faithful Lowi, who carried a small bag of meal, my camp- 

 bed, kettle, tea-pot and one or two trade goods. On my 

 arrival at Kowa the Lowan came to see me, but flatly refused 

 to give me the men and oxen for the journey from Kaddai 

 to the Kowa-Baga. He was still smarting under the heavy 

 fine imposed upon him by the Eesident of Bornu, and attri- 

 buted all his woe to me who had reported him for his extor- 

 tion at Yo, as I have related in a former chapter. Besides 



