50 porters, subsequently augmented by Tracy with donkeys, purchased by him in Karamojo.

The complete strength of the expedition at this date has now been enumerated, and it may be of interest to compare its condition now with what it formerly was before the mutiny operations. At the Ravine station our carrying power amounted in all to 1,240 loads. We could now only transport 705. To make up for deficiency of escort, porters had to be withdrawn for garrison and escort duty, and where, as formerly, we had 450 porters available for carrying, we now only had 303. Our camels were reduced from 52 to 14, including the 10 fresh ones obtained in Karamojo. The donkeys, formerly numbering 277, now amounted to 218, including those recently obtained from Karamojo, whilst of the 70 bullocks formerly carrying loads, none were available now for that purpose. Our armed strength also was very considerably reduced, from 750 troops and armed Swahilis to 525. It was hoped, however, that much useful work might still be done, in spite of the losses and hardships suffered during the campaign against the mutineers and Mwanga's rebels, although the trying time we had all experienced previously had somewhat impaired the health and physical condition generally both of men and officers. The spirit, however, was willing and anxious to explore new fields, and the only anxiety was how far the flesh would be able to bear the extra exertions asked of it, and how much could still be done in the comparatively short time yet before us. The exploratory work we were able to undertake I now propose to describe to the reader, who, I trust, will find some interest in accompanying each of the three columns in turn.

CHAPTER X

HEADQUARTERS TO GULE AND TITI

ON July 27, 1898, the Headquarter Column was separated from the remainder of the expedition concentrated at the Lower Save boma, and crossed to the opposite bank of the stream to that on which the post had been constructed. To reach the country of Karamojo it was necessary to pass to the east of Mount Dabasien before turning north; but recently such heavy rains had fallen that the intervening grass plain between Elgon and that mountain had been con verted into swamp, so the direct route across the plain was impassable for donkeys. Macdonald decided, therefore, to march east along the foot of Elgon to the Kisimchanga River before striking for Dabasien, hoping thus to avoid the greater portion of the swamp. Even so a considerable amount of swamp existed, which necessitated the donkey loads being carried by porters, thus causing considerable delay before the Kisimchanga was reached on July 30. From that point the column turned in a northerly direction; but still encountering much swamp, progress was very slow until Dabasien had been reached, as several swampy streams in the plain had to be crossed. It was not until August 2, therefore, that the column struck the direct route from Save to Dabasien, which is usually traversed in dry weather in three easy marches. Continuing along the foot of the eastern slopes of Dabasien, the 'going' still remained heavy and difficult until the gravelly, stony soil to the north of the mountain was entered, when progress at once improved.

The upper slopes of Dabasien are inhabited by a section. of Wa-Suk, but a very insignificant offshoot of the more important tribe occupying the mountains to the east. They are very poor and very shy, and, beyond possessing perhaps a few goats and sheep, appear to have no means of obtaining a livelihood except by hunting, as they cultivate no fields of corn, and avoid all strangers. When this mountain has been rounded the track becomes hard and firm, and the country thinly wooded. The streams now crossed flow east and ultimately join the Turkwel River further south, whereas the streams to the south of the mountain pour their waters into the Nile. The first populated district of Karamojo was reached on August 6, in the neighbourhood of a broad, sandy-bedded nullah, whence an abundant supply of water was obtained on digging. Here, at Manimani, many small villages exist, but although the natives were extremely friendly, and perhaps the finest type physically of any natives in the whole of Africa, they were unable to supply the column with any grain, their own crops not yet being ripe, whilst little still remained to them of their previous harvest.

The Swahili traders at Save had built a stockaded enclosure on the back of the river at Manimani, and when the column arrived they found it occupied by some thirty of these men. They had lately intercepted a letter from the Sudanese mutineers to those remnants of Emin Pasha's old soldiery who had settled down in Latuka and the adjoining districts. When the letter came into the possession of the Swahilis it was being carried by natives, who were endeavouring to find any Sudanese in the country who were able to read it. It was an earnest appeal from the mutineers, calling on all their old comrades, wherever they might be, to hasten to their assistance against the Christians, and had been answered in an indefinite kind of way by a gentleman of the name of Mini-Shook-bin-Nimi-bin-Keeg-el

Sharazi-Bey—a grandson, apparently, of Keeg-el-SharaziBey, and proud of his genealogical tree. The Swahilis knew little regarding the old soldiers in Latuka, but they reported that whilst in the Gule district-some ten days' march north of Manimani-from which they had recently returned, they were met by some 300 Sudanese settled near there, who were perfectly friendly to them, and had brought in food for sale. These men were armed with Remingtons and muzzle-loaders, employed Turkish words of command when drilling, and were accompanied by a bugler. Other old soldiers were reported to have settled down in Latuka, and had expressed the desire to hold no intercourse with Europeans.

From such evidence as was obtained from the Swahilis, it appeared likely that these Sudanese were old soldiers of the Egyptian Government, or, at least, their children; but at the same time there was a possibility of their being Congo mutineers. It was by no means improbable, also, that they were in communication with the Uganda mutineers, by parties of whom they may perhaps have been visited. Hampered by a large amount of baggage and many transport animals, Macdonald decided that, before proceeding north, it would certainly be prudent to first reconnoitre with a light column. With this object a post at Manimani was formed, and a guard left there with the Sudanese women, transport animals, and all baggage not likely to be at once required for the next month or six weeks. Should the Sudanese prove friendly at Gule, or too weak to be formidable, a post could be formed in that district, whilst all the details left at Manimani could be brought on again by a column returning for that purpose.

There were several points, however, worthy of consideration. The Sudanese soldiers with the column could scarcely be expected to fight with any enthusiasm against their comrades, the mutineers, should they be met. The native

officer, Mahomed Ratib, suggested that if the Sudanese reported north proved to be the mutineers, he would advise that the Sudanese of the escort had their cartridges taken from them. They could not do much harm then. Although he considered the majority of the escort fairly reliable, some, he thought, were not, and in the event of hostilities these latter might corrupt the loyal men. Macdonald decided, however, to trust his men, and his confidence was not misplaced. The column remained halted for two days at Manimani, whilst the arrangements were being carried out for the forward move, and as food was unobtainable locally, the headman of the donkey transport was sent back to Save to bring on to Manimani from that place seventy loads of flour to await the return of the party from Gule.

On August 9 Macdonald marched from Manimani with Kirkpatrick, McLoughlin, Pereira, 1 Maxim, 15 Sikhs, 35 Sudanese, 50 Swahili askaris, 100 armed Swahili porters, and 61 unarmed porters and followers. Rations for eighteen days were being carried, and it was hoped more would be obtained at Gule. Two marches in a direction slightly north of west brought the column to Bukora, some twentyfive and a half miles from Manimani. Numerous villages and much cultivation were seen, but water is scarce, and artificial tanks are constructed by the natives for its storage. The direct route from Bukora to Gule passes close to Mount Jiwe, the inhabitants of which and the neighbouring district were reported to be very hostile and treacherous. As it appeared inadvisable to waste time or strength in needless fighting with savages, when a far more serious conflict with the Sudanese was possible beyond, it was decided to pass north to the east of Jiwe before bearing west again to Gule. It was more than likely also that the Jiwe natives were on friendly terms with the Sudanese, whom they might acquaint of the approach of the column, thus frustrating Macdonald's intentions. The column therefore marched