102 
TRAVELS IN AFRICA 
too great to attempt marching it in the heat of 
the day, without a plentiful supply of that ne- 
cessary article, we moved forward at six in the 
evening, having filled all our soofroos*, and 
marched very expeditiously in an east and by 
north direction, through wood, until half after 
ten, when we were obliged to halt, in conse- 
quence of its being very dark, and many of 
the animals being much fatigued and consider- 
ably in the rear. Four horses were left in a dy- 
ing state, and Mr. Pilkington and four men re- 
mained with their loads, until asses could be 
sent to bring them up : they did not arrive at 
our bivouac until day-light the following morn- 
ing. We lost six horses during that march, and 
were likely to lose more every day : our provi- 
sions, too, were becoming scarce; but the pros- 
pect of being able to replenish all our wants in 
Bondoo, did not allow things to appear as bad 
as they really were. 
We reached Sabee at seven on the morning 
of the 14th, and took up our position on an ele- 
vated spot to the NE. and distant about half a 
quarter of a mile from the town, which is a very 
large one, walled, and situated in an extensive 
plain, gently rising to the ese., in which direc- 
tion it is bounded by mountains : through it 
* Leather bags. 
