322 
RECONNAISSANCE TO THE SOUTH. 
[chap. VIII. 
of religion, believe implicitly in sorcery; giving a 
power to man superhuman, although acknowledging 
nothing more than human. 
Practical and useful magic is all that is esteemed by 
the savage, the higher branches would be unappreciated ; 
and spirit-rapping and mediums are reserved for the 
civilized (?) of England, who would convert the black 
savages of Africa. 
Notwithstanding his magic, Katchiba was not a bad 
man: he was remarkably civil, and very proud at my 
having paid him a visit. He gave me much informa¬ 
tion regarding the country, but assured me that I 
should not be able to travel south for many months, 
as it would be quite impossible to cross the Asua river 
during the rainy season; he therefore proposed that I 
should form a camp at Obbo, and reside there until 
the rains should cease. It was now May, thus I was 
invited to postpone my advance south until December. 
I determined to make a reconnaissance south towards 
the dreaded Asua, or, as the Obbo people pronounced 
it, the Achua river, and to return to my fixed camp. 
Accordingly I arranged to leave Mrs. Baker at Obbo 
with a guard of eight men, while I should proceed 
south without baggage, excepting a change of clothes 
and a cooking pot. .Katchiba promised to take the 
greatest care of her, and to supply her with all she 
