Meanwhile the days slipped quietly by without bringing any decisive result, good or bad. Emin had grown gray from anxiety. He would not surrender his province to the enemy at any cost, but was it in his power to drive back the Mahdists when they came by hundreds of thousands? On the other hand, there were all his faithful ones, his negroes, who loved him like a father, exposed to an uncertain fate. He resolved to do everything possible to hold the government of this beautiful country, though he knew not whether there was still a government. The governor concealed his anxieties and doubts from his officials so as not to dishearten them and determined upon an undertaking which should divert the thoughts of the people from the uncertain future. He decided to strengthen the defences of Lado and with the help of the soldiers and natives to dig a deep moat around the station and utilize the dirt thrown out as trenches. The work was directed by Mahmoud Effendi, an Egyptian officer, who had served in the last Russo-Turkish war and was a very skilful engineer. Hundreds of men worked from morning until night and by the end of October the moat was extended to the river. The Nile was then at its high stage and the water flowed into this new canal, in which later draw wells were made for watering. At the main entrance to the station, from the west, a passageway was left. Dr. Junker advised the construction of a small drawbridge at that point and Mahmoud Effendi supervised and constructed it very skilfully, notwithstanding his scanty material. Emin and Dr. Junker in turn daily supervised the work, which was now progressing satisfactorily. Some little pieces were played by their trumpeter for the encouragement of the soldiers and Emin Pasha himself often enjoyed it among his sugar canes and lemon trees. In the meantime there was a lack of the most necessary things. They lived principally upon the red durra, a species of millet, which had a bitter and unpleasant flavor. There was a certain amount of meat on hand, far from sufficient, however, and in place of other drinks they were supplied with a liquor made by themselves and served in such abundance to the soldiers that it resulted in universal drunkenness. The coffee was almost too bad to drink, being adulterated with mallow seeds. Sugar had long given out and honey was used in its place. Emin had made a valuable collection of ivory with which in Europe he could have procured himself and his officials the choicest dainties and all imaginable pleasures. There, however, it would purchase nothing and it was unlikely that the valuable stuff could be taken to the coast and made of any use.