66 



THE DISCOVERY OF LAKE RUDOLF 



He only acknowledged the truth when Barnoti said that as far 

 as he knew there was no water anywhere in the neighbour- 

 hood. 



This unexpected revelation made us not a little anxious. 

 We had now been on our legs for twelve hours, and men and 

 animals were alike worn out. Not a drop of water had passed 

 the lips of the men since the early morning, and all we had 



SEEKING WATER. 



ourselves was about two pints at the bottom of our travelling 

 flasks. For a few moments there was a breathless silence, 

 everyone wondering what would be the issue of it all. Then 

 the Count gave orders for the camp to be pitched, and, that 

 done, he sent seven parties of twenty men, each under the com- 

 mand of one Somal, in different directions to seek for water. 

 The melancholy apathy of the party was now exchanged for 

 eager activity, and five minutes later the different groups of men 



