14 
TRAVELS IN AFRICA. 
was situate on the ridge of a rising ground, about 
two miles east of the stream, but so extremely 
barren that we could not find, for a considerable 
distance round us, a single blade of grass for 
the animals. Here again some bees, that were 
flying about in search of water, fastened on the 
animals' backs as soon as the pack-saddles were 
removed ; but on this occasion, we applied some 
dry sand, which absorbed the profuse perspira- 
tion that evidently attracted the thirsty bees, and 
by this means we got rid of our troublesome visit- 
ors. Abdul Hamed made himself very useful 
during this day's march, and on finding that we 
expressed ourselves sensible of his attention, 
he presented Captain Campbell with his bow and 
arrows, modestly insinuating that a musket in 
return would be most acceptable ; and this was 
given him. 
It was eight o'clock on the morning of the 
13th, before the rear moved forward. We 
marched over a gently descending plain for a 
mile and a half, when we came to a small 
brook named Calling Ko. The asses were as 
usual stubborn, and evinced a most determined 
dislike to wet their feet, which caused us much 
trouble and loss of time. The country here be- 
gan to wear a more fertile, or, rather, a less 
barren appearance. It was thinly sprinkled with 
large trees and shrubs, and produced an abund- 
