240 AFRICAN CAMP FIRES. 



was blighting. About four o'clock, if we hap- 

 pened to be inspired by energy, one or 'the other 

 of us strolled out at right angles to the stream 

 to see what we could see. The evening was 

 tepid and beautiful. Bathed and pyjama-clad 

 we lolled in our canvas chairs, smoking, chatting, 

 or listening to the innumerable voices of the 

 night. 



Such was the simple and almost invariable 

 routine of our days. But enriching it, varying 

 it, disguising it even as rain-squalls, sunshine, 

 cloud shadow, and unexpected winds modify the 

 landscape so well known from a study window 

 were the incredible incidents and petty ad- 

 ventures of African travel. 



The topography of the river itself might be 

 divided very roughly into three : the headwater 

 country down to its junction with the Tsavo, 

 the palm-elephant-grass stretch, and the gorge 

 and hill district just before it crosses the rail- 

 road. 



The headwater country is most beautiful. 

 The stream is not over ten feet wide, but very 

 deep, swift, and clear. It flows between defined 

 banks and is set in a narrow strip of jungle. In 

 places the bed widens out to a carpet of the 

 greenest green grass sown with flowers ; at other 



