newly-dead log or branch, from which half an inch or an inch of the sodden exterior has to be cut away first. The ordinary cheery signs of camp life are absent, and everyone moves about noiselessly — the many layers of sodden and decaying vegetation under foot deadening all sound. Even the porters and soldiers lie quietly round the fires, and do not laugh and chatter and sing as usual.

We arrived at Pania Mutumba's village on the 24th, and here rearranged the caravan. In reply to our demand that fifty men should be sent with us to serve as guides or extra porters, Pania raised many difficulties, but eventually said we could have the men if we paid for them. The Commandant thereupon bought sixty-three men for two cups of white beads each. A few of these men afterwards ran away, but many of them were promoted, and