THE PASSAGE OF LAKE CHAD 87 



their old master. I was indeed lucky, and now with a total 

 of ten carriers another twelve days at most would see the 

 boats at the Kowa-Baga. 



My days now went by more pleasantly than I had 

 known them do for some time. From the door of my tent I 

 watched the changing lights pass over the water. All day 

 through the heat the Lake hung quivering in the mirage that 

 blurred the horizon and made the water seem like the floor of 

 space stretching away in front of me. But towards evening 

 of the second day, the atmosphere cleared and there appeared 

 in the distance a hazy line of ominous dark. However, I 

 was determined to make the best of it, and for some time tried 

 to believe that my fear existed only in my imagination, so 

 I turned my attention and my steps towards the land. While 

 Jose and the " boys " were away bringing up the sections I 

 devoted my time to exploring the neighbouring country and 

 collecting birds. Between Kaddai and the Baga, the whole 

 shore line is shut in by large billowing clumps of maria bush, 

 12 to 20 ft. high, alternating with tall reeds. But I have 

 described its appearance in a previous chapter when Talbot 

 and I rode down to the Lake from Kowa. 



The Baga is situated on a promontory called Seyurum, 

 which Barth in 1858 records as an island. But the configura- 

 tion of the ground between the point and the main land is 

 such, that in time of flood the water would come round and 

 very soon isolate the headland. The Lake here is known 

 as " Khi-bul," meaning " white water," for the water is 

 very clear and pleasant to drink, and altogether devoid of 

 potash. 



In my wanderings I frequently met slaves belonging to 



