354 FROM THE NIGER TO THE NILE 



headmen made incisions in their arms and ^vith a feather 

 mingled the blood of one with the other. 



After Kapi the river is good with the exception of two 

 rapids, the second of which — fifteen miles distant — was one 

 of the worst and certainly the most disastrous we ever 

 encountered. Here the river widens and becomes com- 

 plicated by grass-islands for a distance of 500 yards ; the 

 main volume of water flows by the left bank and the current 

 is very strong, passing in places over hidden rocks, and the 

 danger of the passage is increased by boughs hanging over 

 the water. Owing to the tremendous current the men 

 on the chain behind let go and the boat was driven with 

 great violence against an overhanging tree. The shock 

 swept off two of the polers who disappeared into the torrent 

 never to be seen again. Jose was also thrown into the water, 

 but being a strong swimmer gained the bank ; while I found 

 myself hanging on to a branch of the tree. The boat was 

 thrown on her beam ends, water poured in, and in a few 

 seconds she sank. Luckily the boat was empty, as I always 

 took the precaution to unload before passing the bad rapids. 

 With great labour we managed to refloat her but the rudder 

 was gone. All through that night I was still hoping that 

 the two men, Ali and Mama Shua, would return, but the 

 morning came and there was no sign of them. We searched 

 up and down the banks all day but could find no trace 

 of their bodies. It was a shocking disaster, and produced 

 a demoralising effect upon the rest of the " boys." 



Another day was taken up in renewing all the stoppings 

 in the boat, which was now in such a battered condition 

 that frequently after the passing of a rapid she had to be 



