OVER THE LIKIPIA ESCARPMENT. 287 



our engine echoed and re-echoed weirdly from the 

 serried trunks of trees and from the great cliffs 

 that seemed to lift themselves as we descended. 



We debarked at Kijabe * well after dark. It 

 is situated on a ledge in the escarpment, is per- 

 haps a quarter-mile wide, and includes nothing 

 more elaborate than the station, a row of Indian 

 dukkas, and two houses of South Africans set 

 back towards the rise in the cliffs. A mile or 

 so away, and on a little higher level, stand the 

 extensive buildings of an American mission. It 

 is, I believe, educational as well as sectarian, is 

 situated in one of the most healthful climates of 

 East Africa, and is prosperous. 



At the moment we saw none of these things. 

 We were too busy getting men, mules, and equip- 

 ment out of the train. Our lanterns flared 

 in the great wind that swept down the defile ; 

 and across the track little fires flared too. 

 Shortly we made the acquaintance of the South 

 Africander who furnished us our ox teams and 

 wagon ; and of a lank, drawling youth who was 

 to be our " rider." The latter was very anxious 

 to get started, so we piled all our stores and 

 equipment but those immediately necessary for 

 the night aboard the great wagon. Then we 



* Pronounce all the syllables. 



