CiiAr. LXXIV. DOWNS OF U'LE-TEHA'RGE. 133 
ing a very noble sheet of water. It is asserted, however, 
that in summer it is fordable at the place called E'n- 
sowed. A little beyond the end of the downs, where 
it formed another reach towards the south, the 
river presented the appearance of an extensive lake. 
Nearer the opposite shore a low grassy island called 
Kabara stretched out, and another narrow strip of 
ground called Waraka was separated from the shore, 
on our side, by a narrow channel, and overgrown 
with the finest byrgu. Towards the south, the steep 
sandy downs were bordered by a strip of rich vegeta- 
tion, behind which a green swampy plain stretched 
out, intersected by an open channel, which separated 
us from the main, where another village of the Kel- 
n-nokiinder was lying, the barking of whose dogs was 
distinctly heard. 
The small creek which separated the island of 
Wdraka from our shore was full of crocodiles, some 
of which measured as much as eighteen feet, the 
greatest length which I have ever seen this animal 
attain in Central Africa ; and swimming just below 
the surface of the water, with the head occasionally 
peeping forth, they greatly threatened the security 
of the cattle, who were grazing on the fine rank grass 
growing on the border of the creek. In the course of 
the day these voracious and most dangerous animals 
succeeded in seizing two cows belonging to our hosts, 
and inflicted a very severe wound upon a man who 
was busy cutting grass for my horses. 
This man had attached himself to my party in order 
K 3 
