96 TRAVELS IN AFRICA. 
something was wrong, the consequence of which 
was much trouble and delay. 
We moved from Bantanto at six o'clock on 
the morning of the 10th, but one of our camels 
having been either stolen, or strayed from the 
place where they had been feeding, I remained 
behind with that division until four, p. m., up 
to which time a fruitless search had been made 
for it in all directions. I then went forward 
alone, leaving Mr. Partarrieau to wait until the 
following morning, in hopes of recovering it, as 
it was a loss we could but badly afford at that 
moment. 
I joined the front at the ruins of Montobe, at 
nine o'clock. The situation of this town, which 
must have been a very large one, is beautiful : it 
was in two parts, that where we halted being 
the smallest, and built on a hill shaded with 
fine large trees, the other is in the centre of 
an extensive plain, bearing the marks of cul- 
tivation, surrounded on all sides, at the dis- 
tance of nearly a quarter of a mile, by woods ; 
both are plentifully supplied with water, from 
wells only three or four feet deep, but which, 
in consequence of being neglected, had fallen in 
so much that we were obliged to clear them out 
before a sufficient quantity of water could be 
obtained. The soil appeared to be better than 
