CHAPTER IV. 
FIRST NIGHT'S MARCH. 
The country was park-like, but much parched by tho 
dry weather. The ground was sandy, but firm, and 
interspersed with numerous villages, all of which were 
surrounded with a strong fence of euphorbia. The 
country was well wooded, being free from bush or 
jungle, but numerous trees, all evergreens, were 
scattered over the landscape. No natives were to be 
seen, but the sound of their drums and singing in 
chorus was heard in the far distance. Whenever it 
is moonlight the nights are passed in singing and 
dancing, beating drums, blowing horns, and the popu¬ 
lation of whole villages thus congregate together. 
After a silent march of two hours we saw watch- 
fires blazing in the distance, and upon nearer approach 
we perceived the trader s party bivouacked. Their 
custom is to march only two or three horns on the 
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 picquetted 
h 
