no DUFILE TO FATIKO. 



little dirty water covered with reeds, and by one of these puddles 

 we rested at midday. There is no doubt, however, that the 

 soil is full of water, as proved by the fine tall-stemmed Kigelias, 

 and still more by the bushes of date-palms, which always 

 require a wet subsoil. We continued in the same direction, 

 and almost in a straight line, until we met with tolerable 

 drinking water in a deep khor, on which account we took up 

 our quarters there for the night. 



On the march I was struck by a singular cloud phenomenon. 

 Light patches of haze appeared simultaneously in the clear 

 blue sky, and descending, collected into small round snowy 

 clouds. These remained stationary for a time, then became 

 ragged at the edges, grew more transparent and brighter, and 

 disappeared in the form of mist, leaving the sky once more 

 clear and blue. This display was repeated several times, the 

 wind being south-westerly and the temperature cool (10.35 

 A.M., 76. 1 ° Fahr.) 



The precipitation in the night was so considerable that in 

 the morning everything was wet through, yet by 4.35 a.m. 

 we were again on the way, the road leading straight on. 

 Shivering, the caravan proceeded by the clear light of the 

 full moon ; neither porters nor men cared to talk ; it was 

 too cold. Besides, we were quite enveloped by high grass, 

 which made it necessary to have our guns always ready, 

 for just about here leopards at any rate are very plentiful. 

 When at last the moon went down, and the purple-red disc of 

 the sun appeared in the east, every one was thankful for the 

 coming warmth ; we had, however, gained our point, for we 

 had left behind us a long waterless stretch of ground. The 

 road from Fatiko resembles that by which we reached it. The 

 country consists of terraces ; we descended from one plateau 

 to another over level stretches of red clay, in which islands of 

 black soil cropped out. Between two solitary hills a lovely 

 view was disclosed of the long chain of the Madi mountains, 

 with their numerous peaks. Shortly after, our path joined 

 the old main road, and we halted at Khor-et-Tin, a grey, dirty 

 stream. 



On this march I again noticed with admiration the keen 

 sight of my black attendants, one of whom suddenly left us at 



