water. The lake at the Bahr el Gazal entrance is
from seven to nine feet deep, by soundings in various
places. Anchored the little squadron, as I wait here
for observations. Had the “ Clumsy’s ” yard lowered
and examined—cut a supply of grass for the animals.
Jan. 6 th.—Overhauled the stores. My stock of
liquor will last to Gondokoro; after that spot “ vive la
misere.” I t is curious in African travel to mark the
degrees of luxury and misery; how, one by one, the
wine, spirits, bread, sugar, tea, &c., are dropped like
the feathers of a moulting bird,, and nevertheless we
go ahead contented.
My men busy cutting grass, washing, fishing, &c.
Latitude, by meridian altitude of sun, 9° 29'. Difference
of time by observation between this point and
the Sobat junction 4 min. 26 secs., 1° 6' 30" distance.
Caught some perch, but without the red fin of the
European species; also some boulti with the net. The
latter is a variety of perch growing to about four
pounds’ weight, and is excellent eating.
Sailed at 3 p .m . Masses of the beautiful but gloomy
Papyrus rush, growing in dense thickets about eighteen
feet above the water. I measured the diameter of one
head, or crown, four feet one inch.
Jan. *7th.—Started at 6 a .m . ; course E. 10° S .;
wind dead against u s; the “ Clumsy” not in sight.
Obliged to haul along by fastening long ropes to the
grass about a hundred yards ahead. This is frightful
work; the men must swim that distance to secure the
rope, and those on board hauling it in gradually, pull
the vessel against the stream.- Nothing can exceed
the labour and tediousness of this operation. From
constant work in the water many of my men are
suffering from fever. The temperature is much higher
than when we left Khartoum; the country, as usual,
one vast marsh. At night the hoarse music of hippopotami
snorting and playing among the high-flooded
reeds, and the singing of countless myriads of mosquitoes—
the nightingales of the White Nile. My black
fellow, Richarn, whqm I had appointed corporal, will
soon be reduced to the ranks; the animal is spoiled
by sheer drink. Having been drunk every day in
Khartoum, and now being separated from his liquor,
he is plunged into a black melancholy. He sits upon
the luggage like a sick rook, doing minstrelsy, playing
the rababa (guitar), and smoking the whole day, unless
asleep, which is half that time ; he Is sighing after the
merissa (beer) pots of Egypt. This man is an illustra- .
tion of missionary success. He was brought up from
boyhood at the Austrian mission, and he is a genuine
specimen of the average results.. He told me a few
days ago that “ he is no longer a Christian.’'
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