194 



THE SEMLIKI VALLEY 



From Karimi north-westwards a consideralile journey of some thirty 

 miles has still to be made before the traveller comes to the ferry of the 

 Semliki Iviver, which is opposite Fort ^Nlheni. A mile or so before he 

 reaches this ferry he arrives at a broad, well-made road with a splendid 

 avenue of useful trees and bananas. He sees good, substantial buildings 

 for the housing of troops and workers, or merely as the dwellings of natives 

 who have gathered round the station. The passage of the Semliki is made 

 at present in a very large dug-out canoe with a broad flat bottom, which 

 is perfectly steady and safe, and is big enough to transport cattle or horses. 

 The stream of the Semliki is here very swift, and shortlv afterwards to 



158. THE SEMLIKI RIVER OPPOSITE FORT MliKXI 



the north descends in rapids. The river swarms with crocodiles, and 

 therefore these large canoes are necessary to ferry men and live-stock across, 

 the river also being far too deep to wade in any case. Arrived at the 

 opposite bank, a steep climb up a broad road has to be made before the 

 fort is reached, and here one is fairly taken aback at the beautiful situation 

 and the excellent houses. I am afraid there is at the present moment 

 nothing so good to show in the Uganda Protectorate in the way of well- 

 built European houses or barracks for native troops and workers. The native 

 villages which cluster round this centre are also remarkably tidy, and the 

 liouses are well-built and com fort al:)le. 



Fort Mbeni is a most picturesque place. In clear days it has a glorious 



