1870.] HIS FEET FAIL. 47 



seen, trees fallen across the path formed a breast-high wall 

 which had to be climbed over: flooded rivers, breast and 

 neck deep, had to be crossed, the mud was awful, and nothing 

 but villages eight or ten miles apart. 



In the clearances around these villages alone could the sun 

 be seen. For the first time in my life my feet failed me, 

 and now having but three attendants it would have been 

 unwise to go further in that direction. Instead of healing 

 quietly as heretofore, when torn by hard travel, irritable- 

 eating ulcers fastened on both feet ; and I limped back to 

 Bambarre on 22nd. 



The accounts of Eamadan (who was desired by me to take 

 notes as he went in the forest) were discouraging, and made 

 me glad I did not go. At one part, where the tortuous 

 river was flooded, they were five hours in the water, and 

 a man in a small canoe went before them sounding for 

 places not too deep for them, breast and chin deep^ and 

 Hassani fell and hurt himself sorely in a hole. The people 

 have goats and sheep, and love them as they do children. 



[Fairly baffled by the difficulties in his way, and sorely 

 troubled by the demoralised state of his men, who appear 

 not to have been proof against the contaminating presence 

 of the Arabs, the Doctor turns back at this point.] 



6th July. — Back to Mamohela, and welcomed by the Arabs, 

 who all approved of my turning back. Katomba presented 

 abundant provisions for all the way to Bambarre. Before 

 we reached this, Mohamad made a forced march, and 

 Moenemokaia's people came out drunk : the Arabs assaulted 

 them, and they ran off. 



23rd July. — The sores on my feet now laid me up as 

 irritable-eating ulcers. If the foot were put to the ground, 

 a discharge of bloody ichor flowed, and the same dis- 

 charge happened every night with considerable pain, that 

 prevented sleep : the wailing of the slaves tortured with 



