AKRIVAL AT MRULI. 27 



appearance in the twilight. It is very abundant at about 

 8° N. lat., but is seldom met with again until this district, 

 where it abounds. 



When we left the river at Magimgo a Doleb palm bade us 

 good-bye, and here two similar palms indicated our approach 

 to the river. A long distance off a solitary tree was tipped 

 with gold by the setting sun : it was the tree under which, in 

 Kamrasi's time, Baker so long resided as a prisoner. It marked 

 the meshra or landing-place ; for Khor Kafu had still to be 

 passed before we reached our destination. Ferry-boats, sig- 

 nalled for by some shots, were loaded in bright moonshine. 

 Backwards and forwards they plied, until at length all our 

 goods had been ferried across ; and then we entered the boats, 

 enveloped by a swarm of mosquitoes, and after a ten minutes' 

 journey across the sluggish waters of the Jchor, through 

 enormous masses of papyrus and grasses, we reached the land- 

 ing-place. There, notwithstanding the late hour (9 p.m.), 

 a number of old acquaintances awaited us, and accompanied 

 us to the huts prepared for our reception. After a few hours 

 of chat, the monotonous Gardez ! of the sentries brought the 

 tumult of the day to a close, and we could at length seek rest : 

 the first part of our journey lay behind us. 



