98 
TEAVELS IN CENTEAL AEEICA. 
trees. At the river^s brink grew a low shrub called rat^s tree. It 
bore a round blossom_, of a delicate pink colour ; the leaves^ acacia- 
formed^ were sensitive^ and closed when touched. At sunset 
anchored in a bend of the river^ opposite a place called Gourab il 
Aischj or Bag of Grain/^ so named from its productive and well 
cultivated soil ; but it is now deserted^ the owners having fled before 
the slave hunters. 
April 2nd . — Towing at dawn : a bright morning. Suddenly the 
sky became darkened — a flight of myriads of small birds were on 
the wing_, compact and dense as a heavy cloud. 
Towards noon noticed that in the distance a multitude of negroes 
were hurrying from their homes,, panic-stricken at our approach. 
The women carried their babes in their arms and on their hips ; on 
their heads were large pitchers of v/ater. Those little ones able to 
run kept close to their mothers^ but there were no skirts to hold 
by^ and so they often stumbled and fell. The men brought up the 
rear^ bearing shields and lances. Our men picked up from the 
river^s side jars, flshing-baskets, lines for catching crocodiles, 
paddles, and other things; some of these I induced the men to 
put down again. 
A stiff breeze at noon; thermometer 97°. Netted many pretty 
bright green flies. Anchored early — the wind had failed. 
April 4ith . — Weary towing all yesterday. The same to-day. 
April hth . — Towing at dawn. The first boat (belonging to a 
trader) approached from Gondokoro. She was hailed, and her 
reis reported that our men at that place were in good health and 
spirits. Three months previously, Abd il Majid had quitted them 
with his escort, to proceed to the interior to meet the expedition of 
