128 RUBAGA TO MRXJLI. 



they took it for a boat, but it turned out to be a trough for 

 the preparation of banana wine. As the rain was soon over, 

 we were able to proceed ; but the road had in the meantime 

 been transformed into a brook. We reached our quarters 

 about sunset. 



The aneroid readings were as follows : — 



Rubaga, 6 a.m. (start), 63.5 Fahr., 25.65 in. ; strong south-east wind, a 

 clouded sky. 



Usavara, 10. 1 5 a.m. (thirteen feet above tbe level of the lake), 70° Fahr., 

 25.90 in. ; strong south-east wind, a clouded sky. 



2. From Eubaga to Meuli. 

 (March 22 to April 8, 1878.) 



DIFFICULTIES OF TRANSPORT — IN UGANDA NOTHING IS LOST — CHARACTER 

 OF THE SCENERY — A WAHDMA VILLAGE — PASSAGE OF KHOR ERGUGU 

 ■ — FAVOURABLE RECEPTION IN MR^KO's VILLAGE — ACACIA WOODS — 

 CHANGE OF VEGETATION ON THE BORDERS OF UNY(5RO— AUSPICIOUS 

 AND UNLUCKY ANTELOPES — ATTEMPTED HOSTILITIES OF THE WANY6RO. 



When the morning came, my loads, fifty in number, were 

 ready, all of them fairly light and firmly fastened. In spite 

 of royal promises, however, only twelve porters appeared, and 

 it was not till after endless sending backwards and forwards 

 that I had the satisfaction of despatching all my goods, with 

 the exception of fifteen unimportant bales which Matongali 

 Mukasa promised to send after us to our first night's quarters. 

 Thus I set out, glad to escape with a whole skin from the 

 uncomfortable position into which I had been placed, owing 

 to king Mt^sa's suspicions of the Egyptian Government. My 

 ammunition, as well as the loads belonging to the five soldiers 

 who escorted me, were carried by Wanyoro porters, who had 

 come with me from Mruli and had proved faithful ; so, if any 

 of my goods did not turn up, the loss would be my own, and 

 my men would not suffer. All the Arabs living in Kubaga, 

 and the Zanzibar merchants accompanied me for a short distance 

 along the road, firing farewell volleys, which we heartily acknow- 

 ledged with our sniders. These Arabs are all bloodsuckers if 



