136 MRULI TO MAGUNGO. 



Pistias. Crocodiles and hippopotami were seen here in great 

 numbers. We had hardly been half an hour upon our voyage, 

 when our light boat new nearly half out of the water ; an 

 enormous head popping up close by showed us whom we had 

 to thank for the blow. The prospect of being thrown by a 

 sportive hippo down the throat of a crocodile is not pleasant. 

 Solitary mountain peaks were visible towards the south ; the 

 southern bank of the river is covered by light wood, but the 

 papyrus fringe is all the more formidable. Our voyage con- 

 tinued without further incident ; the light morning rain passed 

 off, but the sky remained clouded. 



After a -short rest on the bank, here rising to the exceptional 

 height of twenty feet, where a brood of Cercopithecus griseo- 

 viridis was noisily gambolling, we continued our voyage, much 

 enjoying the splendid effect which the dying glow of the sun, 

 the variegated tints of the evening, and the pale light of the 

 moon produced on the dark water, over which we glided noise- 

 lessly along under the shadow of dark papyrus walls. About 

 an hour after sunset we arrived at Koch (Koki), where latterly 

 an agricultural station has been established, and promises well. 

 My night's quarters were soon arranged, as I had brought 

 all necessaries with me, and, owing to the foresight of the 

 soldiers, I even had sweet potatoes roasted in the ashes for my 

 supper. About midnight another boat arrived, the occupants 

 of which were all suffering from fever ; notwithstanding this, 

 I despatched their boat early, in order to give them the benefit 

 of the cool morning hours, whilst I started later on, after a 

 visit from my old friend Rionga, well known to the readers of 

 Baker's books. 



The river scenery continued much like that previously 

 described. Wide stretches of floating turf, consisting of Pistia, 

 Vallisneria, Ottelia, Potamogeton, &c, edge the papyrus growth. 

 On the land gigantic primeval trees are so thickly interwoven 

 by climbing plants that they present a front of smooth foliage. 

 Without an axe it is impossible to penetrate these woods, and 

 hey are haunted by leopards and beautifully marked pythons. 

 We landed, after a short voyage, on the high banks near the 

 station of Fauvera, which, owing to its bananas and fields, 

 makes a fine show. My floating hospital arrived somewhat 



