154 
TEAYELS IN CENTEAL AFEICA. 
with their songs. The burden of one of their pretty melodies is 
this : 
“ Why did you steal my cattle ? I am an orphan : why did you 
steal my cattle? -Were my father alive, you would not have dared 
to do so. He is no more, and I am unprotected. Give me back my 
cattle. I am an orphan ! Oh, give me back my cattle ! 
The negroes constantly make raids upon each other^s cattle — 
frequently those of their own tribe ; and when the father of a family 
dies_, it sometimes happens that a powerful relative will plunder the 
children of their herds. 
June ^th . — A sunny morning, but the river mist very heavy. A 
busy sewing day : my pupils are making great progress, and Ringa 
sews very creditably. Again a leak. A fine fishing-eagle shot, which 
was soon well stuffed by Foxcroft. At sunset dragged for shrimps, 
and with success : these were bottled. 
June Qth . — Again a leak, and no wonder. The strain upon the 
boats is so intense when under canvas and driving before these 
heavy gales, that they creak from stem to stern. Our people are 
losing heart. The weather damp and cold. Sycamore and tama- 
rind trees visible beyond the reeds on the east shore. Heavy rain 
at sunset. 
June 7th . — A wet miserable morning ; the mosquitoes unbearable. 
A strong wind at noon : going before it for two hours, could see the 
other boats near to us at times in the windings of the river. The 
corporal in Sur Katti’s boat is ill from dysentery ; we have sent him 
some nourishing food. Great preparations made by the Mahom- 
medans for their festival of the Kurham Bteram, which commences 
