Chap. XLIV. 
nga'ljam OF DE'mMO. 
203 
isolated mounts ; instead of a dry desolate plateau, 
we had found wide and extremely fertile plains, less 
than one thousand feet above the level of the sea, and 
intersected by innumerable broad watercourses with 
scarcely any inclination. Only towards the south- 
east, at the distance of about sixteen miles, the low 
rocky mount of the Tuburi was seen. 
But not less interesting than the scenery of the 
landscape was the aspect of the host of our com- 
panions, who were here crowded together at the 
border of the water. Only very few of them had 
penetrated as far before ; and they looked with curi- 
osity and astonishment upon this landscape, while 
most of them were rather disappointed that the water 
prevented them from pursuing the poor pagans, the 
full-grown amongst whom, with few exceptions, had 
just had time to escape. But a considerable number 
of female slaves and young children were captured ; 
for the men did not take to flight till they became 
aware, from the thick clouds of dust which were 
raised by the army, that it was not one of the small 
expeditions which they were accustomed to resist, 
that was coming to attack them. Besides the spoil 
in human beings, a considerable number of colts and 
cattle were brought in. 
Having indulged in the aspect of this rich scene 
which formed such a contrast to the monotonous neigh- 
bourhood of Kukawa, we retraced our steps, in order 
to encamp at some distance from the water, which of 
course gives life to millions of mosquitoes, and en- 
