CHAPTER XVI.
The greeting of the slave--traders--Collapse of the mutiny--African funerals--Visit from the Latooka chief--Bokke makes a suggestion--Slaughter of the Turks--Success as a prophet--Commoro's philosophy.
Although Ellyria was a rich and powerful country, we were not able to procure any provisions.

The natives refused to sell, and their general behavior assured me of their capability of any atrocity had they been prompted to attack us by the Turks.

Fortunately we had a good supply of meal that had been prepared for the journey prior to our departure from Gondokoro; thus we could not starve.

I also had a sack of corn for the animals, a necessary precaution, as at this season there was not a blade of grass, all in the vicinity of the route having been burned.
We started on the 30th of March, at 7.30 A.M., and entered from the valley of Ellyria upon a perfectly flat country interspersed with trees.
The ground was most favorable for the animals, being perfectly flat and free from ravines.

We accordingly stepped along at a brisk pace, and the intense heat of the sun throughout the hottest hours of the day made the journey fatiguing for all but the camels.