APPEOACH TO THE VALLEY OF THE NILE. 
309 
up during the night_, as hundreds of negroes, not trusting us, were 
ambushed in the wood. 
February ISth . — Even at six a.m., when we started, the heat was 
intense. Marched an hour or more through scanty wood, which 
evidently had recently been traversed by elephants. Arrived at a 
partially dried water-course, named the Rooda; its breadth twenty- 
five or thirty feet. It is said to empty itself in the Nile near 
Mount Loda, a day^s journey north of Gondokoro. With water- 
skins replenished, procured by dint of digging in the sandy bed 
of the river, the march was resumed through a narrow path, dry 
grass on both sides almost suffocating us ; yet here we were com- 
pelled to halt, so thoroughly beaten were we. At last, gaining 
courage, we proceeded, when happily a vast plain was entered; 
groups of fine trees adorned it. In forty-five minutes came to the 
channel of a winding stream ; in it were a few pools of water, 
barely sufficient for our thirsty party. We rested, shadowed by 
trees, until 3.30, when the journey was continued, still through 
dense wood. Made one brief halt, and at sunset encamped in the 
forest. 
February 19^A. — Started at six a.m. ; in one hour emerged from 
the forest and reached a brook, nearly dry, named Bahooda, which 
enters the Nile below Gondokoro. The country, slightly undulating, 
was beautiful; amongst its groups of varied trees the graceful 
tamarind, with its health-sustaining fruit, was conspicuous. In the 
distance rugged hills were visible, and in our line of march passed 
huge rocks of granite. Another hour brought us to Ungushoot, a 
Bari village. It was prettily fenced with cacti, then in flower. 
To its chief, called Lungazo, who gave us welcome, Petherick 
