ADAEL. 
225 
the rains in all probability will have ceased^ the marshy district 
will be drying np^, and the perplexing dangerous herbage burnt 
by the natives. Too much time had been unavoidably lost^ and 
my wife agreeing with me that these obstacles should be overcome 
at all hazard^ I earnestly solicited Ibrahim to procure me the 
necessary porters. 
September — The few days’ rest had been of benefit to all, 
though still some of our men were invalided, suffering from colds, 
rheumatism, and ague. They gave Dr. Murie much trouble, not 
clothing themselves as well as they might. I went to the dis- 
tracted Doctor’s rescue, and threatened if they obeyed not his 
directions, they should receive a good thrashing. One man had an 
ugly flesh-wound on the foot ; it had been torn by a thorn. 
Our morning rides were strictly adhered to, and were most bene- 
ficial in keeping body and mind in a healthy state. Of course, my 
fowling-piece was a never-failing companion ; with the exception of 
a few bustards, frankolins, and guinea-fowl, and these rare and 
wild, I neither found nor heard of more game in the immediate 
neighbourhood. A quarter of a mile west of this station the corn- 
fields of the village of Adael commence, and stretch westwards 
about two miles to where the ground is swampy, and during this 
period annually under water. The grain is now ripening, and so 
high that the summits of the tookuls are alone visible. East, west, 
and north we are surrounded by dead water. The drainage is slug- 
gishly carried off hence to the lagoon in a channel some fifty yards 
wide and from four to five feet deep, called G61, N.W. It is visible 
from the station, wending its course north by east, until it enters 
the lagoon. In summer it dries up and becomes a rich meadow. 
Still farther north-west, from four to five miles hence, my men 
15 
