EETUEN OF OUR ENVOYS FROM RESHIAT 



151 



such, as we had noticed all along the eastern shore of the lake^ 

 but here, instead of being close to the edge, they were in 

 the middle of the water. Here, too, we came upon another 

 familiar characteristic of African scenery, the hills of termites, 

 which we had not seen since we left Nyemps. 



All the afternoon we anxiously awaited the return of our 

 envoys from Eeshiat, and when the evening arrived without any 

 news of them, we were filled with apprehension as to their fate. 



VIEW NEAR THE CAMP OF APRIL 2. 



Our men, too, as they gathered about their fires eagerly dis- 

 cussed what could have kept their comrades so long. At last 

 at ten o'clock some distant shots told of their approach, and 

 soon afterwards Qualla appeared and opened his budget. After 

 wandering about for a long time without finding a trace of 

 human habitation, they had seen smoke rising up in the dis- 

 tance, and soon after came to a village on a low-lying sandy 

 height, approaching close enough to it to be able to see its 

 inhabitants quite clearly. Then they squatted down to await 



