152 
TRAVELS IN CENTRAL AFRICA. 
June 2nd . — Heavy mist rising from the river ; eold and damp. 
Four boats belonging to the American Consular Agent at Khartoum, 
sailed down stream. One only from the Mountain (Gondokoro) ; 
no tiding from those we expect. A solitary delaeb palm is a con^ 
spicuous object this day. It is the boundary -mark between the 
territories of the vast Nouaer and the commencement of the Kytch 
tribe. At five p.m. moored near to it, when I made a sketch. 
Here was Sur Katti^s boat. They had been awaiting our arrival 
two days, and had made quite a little encampment. We were soon 
on shore to visit the horses, who seemed in good condition, and 
appeared to appreciate the good fires kindled in their vicinity, as 
the mosquitoes, their great enemy, were thus kept in check. One 
of the hunters had shot a giraffe the day before, so that all had 
fared well. The residue of the flesh had been cut into strips to dry 
in the usual way. Rechan made a stew for our dinner of a portion, 
and we found it very palatable. 
June ^rd . — The doctors^ boat and consort being in sight, it was 
settled that we should remain until they came up, there being fine 
pasturage here for the donkeys. A huge crocodile was seen in the 
vicinity of the boats ; but he gave no chance of a shot at him, as 
he only exhibited at times the tip of his nose ; still the reptile did 
not swim far away, and our people were frightened from bathing. 
A beautiful bird, the Balceneceps rex, was seen by Petherick on a 
mound not far distant. In hot haste he started with his gun, hoping 
to bring it down ; and not waiting to make a detour on ground 
known to be firm, and taking a short cut, he found himself up to 
his neck in a marsh. It was with some difficulty he got out, when 
he returned to make a change in his clothing ; but fearing to lose 
the bird, he told Ali to stalk him, which he did in a most circuitous 
