elephants’ footprints 1-1/2 hour, then came on one hour to a small rivulet ten feet broad, but waist deep, bridge covered and broken down.  Carrying me across one of the broad deep sedgy rivers is really a very difficult task.  One we crossed was at least 2000 feet broad, or more than 300 yards.  The first part, the main stream, came up to Susi’s mouth, and wetted my seat and legs.  One held up my pistol behind, then one after another took a turn, and when he sank into a deep elephant’s foot-print, he required two to lift him, so as to gain a footing on the level, which was over waist deep.  Others went on, and bent down the grass, to insure some footing on the side of the elephants’ path.  Every ten or twelve paces brought us to a clear stream, flowing fast in its own channel, while over all a strong current came bodily through all the rushes and aquatic plants.  Susi had the first spell, then Farijala, then a tall, stout, Arab-looking man, then Amoda, then Chanda, then Wade Sale, and each time I was lifted off bodily, and put on another pair of stout willing shoulders, and fifty yards put them out of breath:  no wonder!  It was sore on the women folk of our party.  It took us full an hour and a half for all to cross over, and several came over turn to help me and their friends.  The water was cold, and so was the wind, but no leeches plagued us.  We had to hasten on the building of sheds after crossing the second rivulet, as rain threatened us.  After 4 P.M. it came on a pouring cold rain, when we were all under cover.  We are anxious about food.  The Lake is near, but we are not sure of provisions, as there have been changes of population.  Our progress is distressingly slow.  Wet, wet, wet; sloppy weather, truly, and no observations, except that the land near the Lake being very level, the rivers spread out into broad friths and sponges.  The streams are so numerous that there has been a scarcity of names.  Here we have Loon and Luena.  We had two Loous before, and another Luena.

25th January, 1873.—­Kept in by rain.  A man from Unyanyembe joined us this morning.  He says that he was left sick.  Rivulets and sponges again, and through flat forest, where, as usual, we can see the slope of the land by the leaves being washed into heaps in the direction which the water in the paths wished to take.  One and a half hours more, and then to the River Loou, a large stream with bridge destroyed.  Sent to make repairs before we go over it, and then passed.  The river is deep, and flows fast to the S.W., having about 200 yards of safe flood flowing in long grass—­clear water.  The men built their huts, and had their camp ready by 3 P.M.  A good day’s work, not hindered by rain.  The country all depopulated, so we can buy nothing.  Elephants and antelopes have been here lately.