Chapter 5 - Beyond the Bahr El-Ghazal

Summary

Back and forth to Wau and Meshra

In their aim of procuring a sufficient number of pack animals, Heuglin and Steudner did not succeed; yet they proceeded on 23 March to Wau and the Kosanga mountains, hoping to hire the necessary number of porters and go back to the Meshra in order to move the whole Tinne expedition forward to Wau. While crossing over the river Rek and a smaller one, their boat suddenly could not go further, as it had become entangled by marsh plants. Holding the guns high in their right hands both men got out and waded through water and reed, following a route with a path which was covered with four to five feet of water. After a while Heuglin felt dizzy and had to vomit. Two and a half hours later they arrived in the village of Lau and stayed there overnight. After having resumed their journey, the road led them in a south-westerly direction where Petherick had established his zariba. This place they left for what it was; Petherick himself was at that moment far up the White Nile where he was supposed to meet Speke and Grant. His zariba at the Jur-river had already been abandoned.

The scenery gradually changed from marshes to treeless plains and to forest areas where the Jur people lived in small fenced courtyards, casting iron from which they fabricated iron objects, which were becoming renowned for their quality. After eight full days’ march, they paused on the 1st of April at a place where one of their guides had acquaintances. Some of their group had remained far behind and there were already some cases of disease. The next day the river Jur was crossed. They walked on through a forest and in five hours reached a village belonging to the people of Wau. After the Fertit or Wau-river they made an encampment at a source where women and children were dwelling; all men had been engaged by Biselli, the owner of the nearby zariba, in a war against the neighbouring Dōr, who had attacked another zariba. Heuglin explains in a letter to Petermann that these slave dealers, after having settled themselves, demanded substantial compulsory contributions from the people who were made their subjects.