70 
TEAVELS IN CENTEAL AFEICA. 
chirp ; even parrot Polly does her best to add to the harmony. I 
have many pretty captives in a small aviary^ hut before we leave I 
shall liberate them^ as I fear they might not be carefully tended. 
The houses here have spacious and very lofty rooms. The birds 
build their nests in the rafters which support the flat roof ; and as 
the windows are always open, they are constantly flying to and fro. 
There is a fountain in one saloon, and thither they come to drink. 
After breakfast, which is a very social and substantial meal, we pass 
a short time in the garden, and then part — Petherick to his duties, 
and I to mine. We seldom see each other until dinner-hour, at 
three o^clock. Sometimes visitors may happen to call, hut there 
are few Europeans here, and the Turks I do not see. After dinner, 
a walk in the garden on the shady side, where the palm and the fig 
trees are numerous, or beneath the shelter of the ^dnes, where the 
grapes are forming. This indulgence is hut brief, for there is still 
more work to be done ; and again we separate, to meet when the 
sun is getting low, and then we visit the animals and pets. The 
antelopes, gazelles, and goats try to put their noses into our 
pockets ; the horses also, as they know well we carry with us nuts 
and bread for them. We have a multitude of donkeys, bought for 
our use in the interior ; and generally when our sunset stroll begins 
we see the Doctor and Foxcroft, mounted on two of the best, start- 
ing for their short evening ride. 
When the sun is fairly down and the lamps lighted, cofPee is 
served. W^e read a little, have plenty of music, and play back- 
gammon. Then comes a grateful thanksgiving, and the day is 
ended. 
The difficulties to he encountered in the getting up the expedi- 
tion from this place to succour Captains Speke and Grant, cannot 
he exaggerated. The negroes have been cruelly used, and the 
