THE EXPLORATION OF LAKE CHAD 



73 



" no Englishman " and " no good " had been spread, and 

 this had been embroidered with the deserter's story of the 



THE FAITHFUL SKUA 



terrors on the Lake. All were prepared to distrust me, and now 

 when they saw me appear in a broken-down condition and 

 torn raiment, trudging on foot and seemingly deserted by all 

 save one of my former retinue, which had never numbered 

 less than twenty before, what surer proof did they require 

 for adopting an attitude of hostility against me ? If I said 



