232 FROM THE NIGER TO THE NILE 



farther to the blurred patches of the distant river hne, we 

 almost thought to see the white crescent tips of felucca sails 

 moving along the horizon. 



From Gaidam, where I stayed over a day to buy a few 

 oxen to supplement my transport, I departed on October 

 18, on my way to Yo, taking much the same route as Gosling 

 had a month earher. At first I attempted to follow closely 

 the right bank of the river in order to map its course, but 

 belts of thick bush and swamp were continually barring my 

 way, so I was forced to abandon my intention, and mapped 

 the road instead. At this time there had been a sudden 

 and unusual fall in the river, of which the Tubus took advan- 

 tage at once to cross and raid, and all along the road there 

 were complaints of cattle being stolen. About three days 

 from Yo, the road branches, and the right-hand path runs 

 off into the bush for about four miles before it joins the main 

 road again. Following my usual habit, I was half a mile or so 

 in front of my " boys " when I took the path on my left along 

 the river. After proceeding for about two miles, I came upon 

 a party of twelve men armed with bows and spears, who sat 

 under a tree by the roadside. As I could not speak to them 

 I took no notice and passed on. A quarter of a mile farther, 

 I passed another group, which set me wondering what 

 their business might be, and then the idea of an ambush 

 crossed my mind. Still, I could do nothing but go straight 

 ahead, when suddenly I became aware of the points of spears 

 approaching above the bush that masked the windings of 

 the path in front, and presently a band of horsemen came 

 in view. I must say that I passed a few uncomfortable 

 moments, for the idea of Tubus was in the air and I was 



