178 
TEAVELS IN CENTRAL AFRICA. 
the day to scare the birds from the crops_, and the family usually 
pass the night there^ keeping up large fires^ by which means there 
is no danger of wild animals attacking them. 
We soon approached Poncet’s station^ enclosed by a high thorn 
fence^ in the village of Ador. The men came out to meet us. A 
fine large old tent of Petherick^S; his home on many previous travels^ 
was pitched outside the zariba or station,, and soon we were com- 
fortably settled,, our servants encamping around in smaller tents. 
At five p.m. Dr. Murie^ Signor Carlo^ and Poxcroft marched in^ 
all in good spirits ; there remained still,, at the river,, some of our 
soldiers,, and sundry loads,, the negroes having refused to carry them. 
Sunday, August Zrd . — A peaceful day. The women here are 
very good-looking^ the girls nude ; the mothers wear a leather apron 
in fronts and one behind. 
August ^th . — Last night a fearful storm : one of the tents was 
blown down ; none of us escaped a wetting. The negroes appear 
very independent ; and knowing that all the boats have left,, they 
are exacting in their demands^ and they refuse to bring up the rest 
of our party from the river. 
August 7th . — The negroes say that they will not carry unless 
they receive cattle; many who had accepted copper bracelets,, 
brought back their hire. A cold and miserable day. It is difficult 
to get supplied with food, as the negroes will not barter their cattle. 
August ^th . — The morning being very lovely we started for a 
ride, determined to get rid of the troubles pressing heavily at this 
time upon us. For a short distance the ground was dry, being of 
