UP THE GONGOLA RIVER TO ASHAKA 151 



bringing along the rods of his mosquito curtains, which his 

 "boy" had forgotten and left upon the bank. A typical 

 case of pagan honesty. 



Good progress was made that day poling along the 

 shallows out of the main stream, close under the overhanging 

 bank which the water had hollowed out. Sometimes a 

 fallen tree blocked the passage and the canoe had to be 

 taken round against the current. Once it got into difficulties, 

 and some baggage was thrown into the river. This was 

 afterwards recovered by two Bashima canoemen, but mean- 

 while darkness had come with the delay, and it was necessary 

 to stop and camp in the long wet grass by the river-side. 



Next morning the stern-wheeler Empire overtook him, so 

 he boarded her and his canoe was taken in tow. She arrived 

 the same day at Numan, at the mouth of the Gongola. Here 

 there were distinct signs of famine, and the old men and 

 women and the children looked very emaciated, but the 

 strong men's appearance showed that they had been able to 

 look after themselves. 



In the days of slavery this place was flourishing, as 

 there were plenty of men made to work and so there was 

 an abundance of food. But now the people are a lazy and 

 improvident lot, and the failure of one season's crops brings 

 famine. 



Gosling was much disappointed to find on his arrival 

 that Jose had been unable to wait for him owing to the 

 scarcity of food. 



It will now be necessary to leave Gosling at Numan 

 while we follow Jose's journey for a while. 



We have seen Jose depart from Ibi with the boats and 



