CHAPTER XXIII 



UP THE SHABI TO GULFEI 



As one approaches the Delta of the Shari, the isolated, 

 barren rock of Haja-el-Hamis meets the eye. It stands 

 about three miles from the Lake and rises to a height of 800 ft., 

 in shape and appearance reminding one very forcibly of the 

 Wase Rock. The Kuri Budumas say that in the flood seven 

 years previous to this time the waters of the Lake came up 

 and washed its sides. 



It was on May 26 that we reached the mouth of the river, 

 just three months after setting out to cross the Lake. There 

 was a strong current against us and a high head wind which 

 brought up quite a " heavy sea," for we were now in 8 to 10 

 ft. of water. The poles had to be changed for paddles, so 

 that the " boys " had not so much control of the boats, nor 

 did they understand the necessity to keep them with their 

 heads to the waves. Consequently we went near to being 

 wrecked more than once. The river empties itself by five 

 channels, of which the two largest are named the Lumkabu 

 and the Suwe. The former is the main channel and had a 

 depth of 3 ft. at this time. 



It would be impossible to describe the great joy I experi- 

 enced as we came into the channel of the river and saw 

 firm land on either side. Having successfully threaded 

 the labyrinth of the Lake, an unreasoning feehng came 



