56 
CHAMPAGNE WELLS. 
Tibboos have a bad character, and, like most 
cowards, are very treacherous. 
I determined not to carry the little box in which 
the two bottles of champagne were packed any 
further; so I, Oyerweg, Yusuf, and the servants, 
set to work and drank a bottle of it, to the toast, 
" that we might have better luck higher up than 
all have hitherto experienced." The other bottle I 
have stowed away in reserve for the Lake Tchad, 
to drink the health of Her Majesty when we launch 
the boat, if we are fortunate enough to arrive there. 
I went to the wells to see the people get water 
this morning. A number of little children came, — 
some naked, and others with small pieces of leather 
round their loins : they all wore very large neck- 
laces of charms sown up in leather bags. 
