LAKE NAVIGATION. 



1)5 



the latter fastened to the centre-piece by cords of 

 palm-fibre passing through lines of holes. The want of 

 caulking causes excessive leakage : the crew take duty 

 as balesmen in turns. The cry Senga ! — bale out ! — 

 rarely ceases, and the irregular hollowing of the tree- 

 trunks makes them lie lopsided in the water. These 

 vessels have neither masts nor sails ; artifices which now 

 do not extend to this part of the African world. An iron 

 ring, fixed in the stern, is intended for a rudder, which, 

 however, seldom appears except in the canoes of the 

 Arabs, steering is managed by the paddle, and a flag-staff 

 or a fishing-rod projects jib-like from the bow. Layers 

 of palm-ribs, which serve for fuel, are strewed over the 

 interior to raise the damageable cargo — it is often of salt 

 — above the bilge- water. The crew sit upon narrow 

 benches, extending across the canoe and fastened with 

 cords to holes in the two side-pieces; upon each bench, 

 despite the narrowness of the craft, two men place 

 themselves side by side. The " Karagwah," stout stiff 

 mats used for hutting and bedding, are spread for 

 comfort upon the seats ; and for convenience of pad- 

 dling, the sailors, when at work, incline their bodies 

 over the sides. The space under the seats is used for 

 stowage. In the centre there is a square place, about 

 six feet long, left clear of benches ; here also cargo 

 is stored, passengers, cattle, and slaves litter down, the 

 paddles, gourds, and other furniture of the crew are 

 thrown, and the baling is carried on by means of an old 

 gourd. The hold is often ankle-deep in water, and affords 

 no convenience for leaning or lying down ; the most 

 comfortable place, therefore, is near the stern or the 

 bow of the boat. The spears are planted upright amid- 

 ships, at one or two corners of the central space so as 



