46 REAL TURTLE IS MOCK HIPPOPOTAMUS. [chap. i. 
Jan. 1 §th .—A new dish ! There is no longer mock- 
turtle soup —real turtle is mock hippopotamus. I 
tried boiling the fat, flesh, and skin together, the result 
being that the skin assumes the appearance of the 
green fat of the turtle, but is far superior. A piece 
of the head thus boiled, and then soused in vinegar, 
with chopped onions, cayenne pepper, and salt, throws 
brawn completely in the shade. My men having 
revelled in a cauldron of hippopotamus soup, I serve 
out grog at sunset, all ships being together. Great 
contentment, all appetites being satisfied. The labour 
of towing through swamps, tugging by the long grass, 
and poling against a strong current, is dreadful, and 
there appears to be no end to this horrible country. 
“ On dit,” that during the dry season there is plenty 
of game near the river, but at present boundless marshes 
devoid of life, except in the shape of mosquitoes, and 
a very few water-fowl, are the only charms of the 
White Nile. The other day I caught one of the men 
stealing the salt; Eicharn having been aware of daily 
thefts of this treasure, and having failed to report 
them, the thief received twenty with the coorbatch, 
and Eicharn is reduced to the ranks, as I anticipated. 
No possibility of taking observations, as there is no 
landing-place. 
Jan. 17th .—As usual, marshes, mosquitoes, wind¬ 
ings, dead flats, and light winds ; the mosquitoes in 
the cabin give no rest even during the day. Stream 
about two miles per hour. Course S.E.; the river 
averaging about one hundred and ten yards in width 
of clear water. 
Jan. 18 th .—Country as usual, but the wind brisker. 
In company with Koorshid Aga's boats. I have bound 
the stock of 0swell's old gun with rhinoceros hide. 
All guns made for sport in wild countries and rough 
riding, should have steel instead of iron from the 
breech-socket, extending far back to within six inches 
of the shoulder-plate; the trigger-guard should like¬ 
wise be steel, and should be carried back to an equal 
