144 
BIVOUACKING. 
[chap. IV. 
first day of departure, to allow stragglers who may 
have lagged behind in Gondokoro to rejoin the party 
before morning. 
We were roughly challenged by their sentries as we 
passed, and were instantly told “not to remain in 
their neighbourhood.” Accordingly we passed on for 
about half a mile in advance, and bivouacked on some 
rising ground above a slight hollow in which we found 
water. All were busy collecting firewood and cutting- 
grass for the donkeys and horses who were piquetted 
near the fires. The camels were hobbled, and turned 
to graze upon the branches of a large mimosa. We 
were not hungry; the constant anxiety had entirely 
destroyed all appetite. A cup of strong black coffee 
was the greatest luxury, and not requiring a tent in 
rhe clear still night, we were soon asleep on our simple 
angareps. 
Before daylight on the following morning the drum 
beat; the lazy soldiers, after stretching and yawning, 
began to load the animals, and we started at six 
o’clock. In these climates the rising of the sun is 
always dreaded. For about an hour before sunrise 
the air is deliciously cool and invigorating, but the 
sun is regarded as the common enemy. There is, 
nevertheless, a difficulty in starting before sunrise— 
the animals cannot be properly loaded in the dark- 
