ARRIVAL AT DUFILE. 9 



who were alarmed at our fires as they came to water, served for 

 our lullaby. 



Next morning light rain did not prevent an early start. 

 The road led up and down hill, as just described. All the 

 Ichors were dry. Our thirst became intense, when at last a 

 new Ichor provided us with a small quantity of good water. 

 Along the whole of this part of the road the river is hidden. 

 To the right is Jebel Kuku, at a distance of from one to one 

 and a half miles from our path, and upon the east bank of 

 the river the azure heights of Jebel Arju stretch out, running 

 parallel with those of Jebel Kurdu. The latter, partly covered 

 by bushes, often present bare cliffs, rendered so black by the 

 action of sun and rain, that their real composition is un- 

 recognisable from a distance. These cliffs frequently look 

 like gigantic seams of coal. After a short time distant 

 rumbling announced the proximity of the falls of Makedo 

 and Apuddo, and hence our approach to the river. A few 

 minutes more, and the path changed its direction to the 

 south-east, leaving the Kuku mountains, which abruptly termin- 

 ated here. A glorious panorama opened out before us. The 

 hill gradually sloped down to level ground, which stretched 

 out into a wide plain, ' dotted here and there with palms, and 

 through its expanse the mighty river, blue and shining, flowed 

 on in sweeping curves. Azure hills and purple-headed moun- 

 tains formed the picture's frame. By a gentle descent we 

 left the hills, red passion-flowers and lemon-coloured grass 

 lilies bedecking the path. The roll of drums and clang of 

 bugles bid us welcome — we were in Dufile.* 



* The geographical nomenclature of the country between the Khor Ayu and 

 Dufile has undergone considerable changes since Emin's visit in 1S77. The Kuku 

 are a sub-tribe of the Madi living on the Ayu ; Jebel Meto had better be called 

 Jebel Otze ; and the other mountains referred to above are likewise known by 

 other names. The Rapids below Dufile are known as Fola. Makedo is a district 

 far down the river, near Kiri, whilst the Apuddo are a tribe of the Madi, near 

 Dufile, in whose territory Sir S. W. Baker built Ibrahim ia. — E. G. R. 



