having sprouted after the recent fires。
From an altitude of about 1；000 feet above the Asua river； we had a
splendid view of the entire landscape。
On the east； at about fifty miles distant； was the fine range of lofty
mountains that stretched in a long line towards Latooka。 On the west； on
the left bank of the White Nile； which now flowed almost beneath our
feet； was the precipitous mountain Neri； known by the Arab traders as
Gebel huku。 This fine mass of rock descends in a series of rugged
terraces from a height of between three and four thousand feet to the
Nile； at a point where the river boils through a narrow gorge between
the mountains。 It is in this passage that the principal falls take place
which I witnessed in my former journey。 At that time our path led along
the rocky bank of the river； and was both difficult and dangerous。
Eight miles from the Asua river now brought us to the top of the pass；
and having stopped for a few moments to take compass bearings； we began
the somewhat steep descent。
Walking was preferable to riding； and after a distance of a couple of
miles had been accomplished； we rounded the rocky hill by crossing a
ravine upon our right； and the view of the promised land burst upon us。
The grand White Nile lay like a broad streak of silver on our right as
it flowed in a calm； deep stream direct from the Albert N'yanza； at this
spot above all cataracts。 No water had as yet been broken by a fall； the
troubles of river…life lay in the future； the journey to the sea might
be said to have only just commenced。 Here the entire volume flowed from
the Albert N'yanza； distant hardly one degree； and here had I always
hoped to bring my steamers； as the starting…point for the opening of the
heart of Africa to navigation。 （This has since been proved correct by
the efforts of my successor； Colonel Gordon； who carried the 38…ton
steamer which I had left at Gondokoro to this point above the cataracts；
and constructed her at Duffle on the opposite bank。 This vessel steamed
into the Albert N'yanza without any difficulty； and corroborated my
assertion that the river was navigable。 It may be remembered that many
geographers had contested the fact that the Nile was an effluent from
the Albert N'yanza。）
I was deeply mortified when I gazed upon this lovely view； and reflected
upon the impossibilities that had prevented my success。 Had the White
Nile been open as formerly； I should have transported the necessary
camels from Khartoum； and there would have been no serious difficulty in
the delivery of the steamers to this point。 Two or three strong pioneer
parties； with native assistance； would quickly have bridged over the
narrow water…courses and have cleared a rough road through the forests
as the carts advanced。
It was useless to repine。 I still hoped to accomplish the work。
We now descended into the beautiful plain； to which I had given the name
Ibrahimeyah； in honour of the father of his Highness the Khedive
（Ibrahim Pacha）。
This point is destined to become the capital of Central Africa。
The general depot for the steamers will be near the mouth of the
Un…y…Ame river； which； after rising in the prairies between Fatiko and
Unyoro； winds through a lovely country for about eighty miles； and falls
into the White Nile opposite to Gebel Kuku。 The trade of Central Africa；
when developed by the steamers on the Albert N'yanza； will concentrate
at this spot； whence it must be conveyed by camels for 120 miles to
Gondokoro； until at some future time a railway may perhaps continue the
line of steam communication。
It is a curious fact that a short line of 120 miles of railway would
open up the very heart of Africa to steam transportbetween the
Mediterranean and the equator； when the line from Cairo to Khartoum
shall be completed！
The No。 10 steamer that I had brought up to Gondokoro from Khartoum was
originally built in England for the mail service （per Nile） between
Alexandria and Cairo； at the time when the overland route was made by
vans across the desert to Suez。 This steamer had sailed from London； and
had arrived complete at Alexandria。
It appears almost impossible that she is now floating at an altitude of
nearly 2；000 feet above the sea level； to which great elevation she has
actually steamed from the Mediterranean。 Thus； starting from a base
line； and producing a line perpendicular to the sea level of 2；000 feet；
she has climbed up the Nile to her present high position。
Accepting the approximate length of the Nile in all its windings from
the Mediterranean to N。 lat。 4 degrees 38 minutes； at 3；000 miles in
round numbers； this will give an average rise or fall in the river of
nine inches per mile； which easily explains the position of the steamer
at her most remote point below the last cataracts。
I revelled in this lovely country。 The fine park…like trees were clumped
in dark…green masses here and there。 The tall dolape…palms （Borassus
Ethiopicus） were scattered about the plain； sometimes singly； at others
growing in considerable numbers。 High and bold rocks； near and distant
mountains； the richest plain imaginable in the foreground； with the
clear Un…y…Ame flowing now in a shallow stream between its lofty banks；
and the grand old Nile upon our right； all combined to form a landscape
that produced a paradise。
The air was delightful。 There was an elasticity of spirit； the result of
a pure atmosphere； that made one feel happy in spite of many anxieties。
My legs felt like steel as we strode along before the horses； with rifle
on shoulder； into the broad valley； in which the mountain we had
descended seemed to have taken root。
The country was full of game。 Antelopes in great numbers； and in some
variety； started from their repose in this beautiful wilderness； and
having for a few moments regarded the strange sights of horses； and
soldiers in scarlet uniform； they first trotted； and then cantered far
away。 The graceful leucotis stood in herds upon the river's bank； and
was the last to retreat。
I selected a shady spot within a grove of heglik…trees for a bivouac；
and leaving my wife with a guard； and the horses； I at once started off
with Lieutenant Baker to procure some venison。
We returned after a couple of hours； having shot five antelopes。 The
native name for this part of the country is Afuddo。 Our present halting
place was thirty…seven miles from Lobore。 Formerly there were villages
in this neighbourhood； but they had been destroyed by the slave…hunters。
Fortunately I had prepared a stock of flour sufficient for the entire
journey to Fatiko。
In my last visit to this country I had thoroughly studied its features；
thus I felt quite at home； and I knew my route in every direction。 The
mountain of Shooa was distinctly visible； where I had camped for four or
five months； thus it would be impossible for the Lobore people to
deceive me。
Abou Saood had four stations throughout this lovely district； i。e。；
Fatiko； Fabbo； Faloro； and Farragenia。 I was now steering for Fatiko； as
it was a spot well known to me； and exactly on my proposed road to
Unyoro。
On 3rd March； we marched at 6 A。M。； and continued along the plain
towards the rising ground that led to Shooa。 At six miles from the
halting place we took bearings：
Shooa hill； about 35 miles distant； bearing 162 1/2 degrees Akiko hill
about 16 miles distant； bearing 321 1/2 degrees Gebel Kuku about 9 miles
distant； 299 1/2 degrees
Our course lay towards the S。S。E。； beneath a wall…like range of
precipitous rocky hills upon our left； in no place higher than 200 feet。
The guides were at fault； and no water could be found upon the road。
A herd of tetel （Antelope Bubalis） upon our right tempted me； and；
jumping off my horse； I made a fair stalk and killed a fine beast with
the 〃Dutchman〃 at 210 yards。
Every one was thirsty； as the sun was hot； and the wall…like； rocks upon
our left reflected the heat。 At length we discovered natives squatting
upon the very summits of the perpendicular cliffs； and after some
trouble we succeeded in coaxing them down。 Two of these people
volunteered to lead us to water； and they took us to a steep rocky
ravine； in the bottom of which was a pool of dirty liquid that had been
bathed in by wild buffaloes。 My men quickly began to dig sand…wells with
their hands； until the main body of the troops and cattle arrived。
In about an hour； I heard a great hubbub； with a noise of quarrelling
and shouting； every one was running towards the spot。 It appeared that a
wild buffalo； being ignorant of our arrival； had suddenly visited his
drinking…place； and had thoughtlessly descended the deep and narrow
gorge to drink his evening draught。 The Lobores had espied him； and they
immediately rushed down and overwhelmed him with lances from the cliffs
above。 There was now an extraordinary scene over the carcase； four
hundred men scrambling over a mass of blood and entrails； fighting and
tearing with each other； and cutting off pieces of flesh with their
lance…heads； with which they escaped as dogs may retreat with a stolen
bone。
On 4th March we started at 6。25 A。M。 The advent of the buffalo was a sad
misfortune； as it had supplied the natives with sufficient flesh to feed
them on the road home； thus thirty Lobores had absconded during the
night。
Fortunately we had already consumed many loads of flour。 I was now
obliged to divide two days rations among the troops as extra weight。 The
light loads were then doubled。 Brandy boxes of twelve bottles were now
lashed together； so as to form a load of twenty…four。 Several boxes of
gin had been entirely destroyed by the savage carriers； who had allowed
them to fall upon the rocks。
Having crossed the bends of the Un…y…Ame river twice； we halted for the
night in fine open forest on the south bank； beneath a large
tamarind…tree； that yielded an abundant supply of fruit for all hands。
We had only marched ten miles； owing to the delay occasioned by the
desertion of the carriers。
On 5th March I led the way； as the Lobore guide professed ignorance of
the route to Fatiko。 The fact was； that the Lobores had wished on the
previous day to take me to Farra