September by the way of its northern shores. He had
received a valuable horse from the vizier, which was his companion for
the next three years. He was attended by two Arabs and a couple of
Fezzan lads he had taken into his service. He soon felt revived by the
fresh air of the country. The region through which he passed was
usually rich, partly forest and partly cultivated.

On the 18th he was joined by Mr Overweg, who arrived accompanied by a
band of horsemen. The horsemen treated the natives with the utmost
cruelty, stealing their property wherever they went. One day, meeting
some cattle-breeders, they plundered them of their milk and of the very
vessels which contained it. On applying to Dr Barth for redress, he
was enabled not only to restore to them their vessels, but to make them
a few small presents.

Descending from the high ground, they continued their course between the
sand-hills and a blue inlet of the lake to the south. Some way to the
right they caught sight of a whole herd of elephants, ranged in regular
array like an army of rational beings, slowly proceeding to the water.

It had been supposed that Lake Chad is salt. This is not the case. The
natron or soda, which is procured in the neighbourhood, is found alone
in the ground. When an inundation reaches a basin filled with soda, the
water of course becomes impregnated. The soda, indeed, has very little
effect so long as the basin is deep, and does not begin to make itself
felt till the water becomes shallow.

Shortly afterwards, passing a grove of mimosa, two of the horsemen who
had been in front came galloping back with loud cries. On approaching
the spot they saw a large snake hanging in a threatening attitude from
the branches of a tree. On seeing the strangers it tried to hide
itself, but after several balls had struck it, it fell down, and its
head was cut off. It measured eighteen feet seven inches in length, and
five inches in diameter.

They now joined themselves to a party of Arabs, by whom they hoped to be
protected on their journey. The expedition was not without danger. One
night they were aroused by a terrible screaming and crying from the
women, and shouts of "Mount! mount!" Another band of freebooters had
attacked the camels, and, having put to flight two or three men and
killed a horseman, had driven off part of the herd. The robbers were
pursued and overtaken, when they gave up their booty. The lamentations
of t