[24]VidealsoRoute 134,Goré to Abwong, Appendix.[25]Even in March.[26]Major G. E. Matthews steamed up about 30 miles beyond this point in August, 1904, but was then stopped by sudd.
[24]VidealsoRoute 134,Goré to Abwong, Appendix.
[24]VidealsoRoute 134,Goré to Abwong, Appendix.
[25]Even in March.
[25]Even in March.
[26]Major G. E. Matthews steamed up about 30 miles beyond this point in August, 1904, but was then stopped by sudd.
[26]Major G. E. Matthews steamed up about 30 miles beyond this point in August, 1904, but was then stopped by sudd.
(BAHR EL GHAZAL.)
By Captain H. D. W. Lloyd, January, 1904.
A great part of the above road is under water during the rains, and only passable to carriers.
By Captain H. D. W. Lloyd, March, 1904.
By Captain H. D. W. Lloyd, February, 1904.
By Captain H. D. W. Lloyd, February, 1904.
By Captain A. B. Bethel, R.A., August, 1904.
Water, etc.In the dry season, I consider that this road would present a good many difficulties in the way of water supply for troops or animal transport using it.
Transport.In the wet season, the road is only fit for carrier transport, as many of the khors are so full that it would entail swimming the animals across, and carrying the baggage over by hand; bridging one or two more of the khors would assist matters a good deal, but the River Bo is too wide for a bridge to be thrown across it, and I think it quite possible that these small native-made bridges would be swept away in the deep khors. A small Berthon boat is indispensable to anyone using this road in the wet season.
Track and country.The track is a well marked one the whole way. After leaving the Zeriba of Kutsuk Ali, the country becomes undulating till Khor Abera is reached, and there are several ridges, with steep ascents and descents; from this, the track is fairly flat till it reaches Tembura’s village, though, S. of Gedi’s village, it runs along the foot of the Undili Mountains. In the wet season, the track is very much overgrown with grass and short scrub to the S. of Ali’s Babai; N. of it, the grass is not so high, nor so thick, but the going is bad, as much of the track is under water, and it is especially so between Khors Gullamba and Gumbola.
Major W. A. Boulnois, April, 1901; and Lieutenant-Colonel Sparkes, April, 1903.
The country.All forest and jungle. Cultivated patches round Biselli. Country gets gradually more undulating, and hills and ridges are higher towards Deim Zubeir. Granite boulders and ironstone intermingled.
Rivers.The Bongo and the Kuru. Both much the same, nearly dry in dry weather, probably full, and difficult to cross between May and October. Many khors, which would be a great obstruction to donkey or even mule traffic.
A waterless stretch for 30 miles from Khor Gitti to the Bongo in dry weather. There is a well out of use at Khor Gombolo, 11½ miles west of Khor Gitti, otherwise water is found at no greater distance than 15 miles interval in pools in the khors.
The track.Is very indistinct in places.[27]Elephant tracks lead off which help to confuse it. Bushes and trees constantly intercept.
Natives.Biselli is fairly populated with Golo and a few Kreich and Bari, originally from Deim Idris.
Deim Zubeir almost entirely Kreich.
Natives live on barley, roots, and berries of trees, and on honey a great deal at this time of year (April).
N.B. No inhabitants between Biselli and Deim Zubeir.
By Lieutenant Fell, R.N., April, 1904.
By Major W. A. Boulnois, 8th May, 1901.
Note.—The regular track was not followed as the guide elected to try a short route and lost his way in the forest.
By Major W. A. Boulnois, May, 1901.
By Lieutenant-Colonel Sparkes, March, 1903.