von Hohnel and I seen from the top of Marisi Alugwa
Zombo plateau the wide expanse of the waters of Lake
Lorian ? That was sufficient, and no thought of turning
back could enter our minds until we had reached this
lake. We then thought we must be near it, and we
expected that an early hour would find us encamped
upon its shores.
That night we were forced to cut a small opening in
the tall grass -so that our men could sleep. Knowing
that it was unlikely that we should fall in with more
trees, upon leaving our last camp we took with us a few
dry twigs. These sufficed to make a fire upon which
to roast a little meat. After sunset the air became
dank, and noisome vapours rose from the sluggish
stream. We welcomed the coming of the following
day with joy, and in order to hearten my men I assured
them that a few hours’ more marching would
certainly find us in the open country. This proved
to be the case; the grass was lower, and occasionally
a stunted acacia could be seen above it.
On this day the members of my caravan presented a
most doleful appearance. Lieutenant von Hohnel and
I were both stricken with fever; Sururu groaned from
the back of my horse; one porter, borne in a hammock
by two of his comrades, was dying of dysentery, and one
of the Soudanese staggered along with the aid of a stick,
his eyes wildly staring, and his lips muttering senseless
phrases: he was unconscious from fever. Onward we
silently and doggedly pressed. About noon we passed
close to a herd of seven elephants, but looked at them
with absolute indifference. Our minds were bent upon
the single purpose of getting out of this dreadful coun