We had to wade through very adhesive black mud, generally ankle deep, and having many holes in it much deeper: we had four hours of this, and then came to the ford of the Luao itself.

We waded up a branch of it waist deep for at least a quarter of a mile, then crossed a narrow part by means of a rude bridge of branches and trees, of about forty yards width.

The Luao, in spreading over the plains, confers benefits on the inhabitants, though I could not help concluding it imparts disease too, for the black mud in places smells horribly.

Great numbers of Siluridae, chiefly _Clarias Capensis_, often three feet in length, spread over the flooded portions of the country, eating the young of other fishes, and insects, lizards, and worms, killed by the waters.

The people make weirs for them, and as the waters retire kill large numbers, which they use as a relish to their farinaceous food.
_16th January, 1868._--After sleeping near the Luao we went on towards the village, in which Mohamad's son lives.