CHAP. IV 



TRAVELS m EASTERN AFRICA 



137 



von Hohnel and I seen from the top of Marisi Alugwa 

 Zombo plateau the wide expanse of the waters of Lake 

 Lorian ? That was sufficient, and no thought of turning 

 back could enter our minds until we had reached this 

 lake. We then thought we must be near it, and we 

 expected that an early hour would find us encamped 

 upon its shores. 



That night we were forced to cut a small opening in 

 the tall grass so that our men could sleep. Knowing 

 that it was unlikely that we should fall in with more 

 trees, upon leaving our last camp we took with us a few 

 dry twigs. These sufficed to make a fire upon which 

 to roast a little meat. After sunset the air became 

 dank, and noisome vapours rose from the sluggish 

 stream. We welcomed the coming of the following 

 day with joy, and in order to hearten my men I as- 

 sured them that a few hours' more marching would 

 certainly find us in the open country. This proved 

 to be the case ; the grass was lower, and occasionally 

 a stunted acacia could be seen above it. 



On this day the members of my caravan presented a 

 most doleful appearance. Lieutenant von Hohnel and 

 I were both stricken with fever; Sururu groaned from 

 the back of my horse ; one porter, borne in a hammock 

 by two of his comrades, was dying of dysentery, and one 

 of the Soudanese staggered along with the aid of a stick, 

 his eyes wildly staring, and his lips muttering senseless 

 phrases: he was unconscious from fever. Onward we 

 silently and doggedly pressed. About noon we passed 

 close to a herd of seven elephants, but looked at them 

 with absolute indifference. Our minds were bent upon 

 the single purpose of getting out of this dreadful coun- 



