256 
TRAVELS IN AFRICA. Chap. LXXIX. 
reached, after a march of about four miles, a fine 
running stream, about twenty-five feet broad and 
fifteen inches deep, traversing a beautifully fresh vale, 
the slopes of which exhibited traces of several former 
encampments of the Tawarek. It joins the river at a 
spot where it forms an open and unbroken sheet of 
water, and greatly contributes to enhance the whole 
character of the scenery, although, about 1200 yards 
below, it was again broken by a ledge of rocks cross- 
ing almost the whole breadth of the river, but mostly- 
covered by the water, even at the present season. 
About 500 yards below this ledge a small island lies 
in the midst of the river, occupied almost entirely by 
a village called Kdtubu, consisting of about 200 
snug-looking huts, which were most pleasantly 
adorned by two beautiful tamarind trees. But the 
peace of the inhabitants appeared to have been dis- 
turbed, as they had probably heard our firing during 
the night, and were therefore on their guard. Five or 
six boats, filled with men, lay around the island at 
various distances, most probably spying out our pro- 
ceedings, although some of our party thought that 
they were fishing. 
We here left the beach for awhile, and ascended 
the higher ground, which rose to a greater height, 
cutting off a curve of the shore. The river, further 
on, was again broken by a ledge of rocks, but so 
that a passage remained open on the side of A'ussa : 
and shortly afterwards the various branches joined, 
and formed a fine noble reach. The country now 
