328 OUR LIFE AMONGST THE TOORKEES. 
whom we found it difficult to get away, although, they 
had been at Faloro for nine months previous to our 
arrival. 
The obstacles offered to our departure were many 
and vexatious. The rivers ahead, we were told, would 
not be fordable for two months, and we could not 
cross them without using force ; besides which, a 
party was expected to arrive soon from Gondokoro 
with ammunition and means of carrying down the 
tusks in store, and it must be waited for. This we 
could not assent to. As the streams were getting 
dry and a march was quite practicable, our Wanyoro 
men were ordered to be in readiness, but they had 
deserted to their homes, and we were helpless. Seeing 
that delay was inevitable, we proposed a trip to the 
west, in order that we might have a look at the 
White Nile, which we had left at Karuma Falls. The 
reply, however, was, that there was no use looking at 
the river there, because we should see it two marches 
ahead on the way to Gondokoro. This information was 
afterwards confirmed by our standing on a rocky height, 
from whence the river was seen marked by a long line 
of mist hanging over its course, which ran from the 
west in a north-east direction. The next event that 
startled us was the announcement that a party had 
to go to a district where a quantity of ivory had been 
accumulated, and that on their return we should all 
leave together for Gondokoro. There was nothing for 
it but submission. While we kept their camp eighty 
started on this razzia or raid, bringing back about a 
hundred tusks, a herd of cattle, and several slaves. 
Our importunities to get away were treated as the 
cravings of children, and we were told, " Do not fear, 
