An Unfrequented Path 



neath, the green grass formed a natural carpet, 

 looking refreshing and cool now that the sun's rays 

 were less vertical. This spot had doubtlessly been 

 the haunt of wild animals for generations upon 

 generations, until opened up by the intrepid ex- 

 plorer — and at what a cost ! Civilization had now 

 stepped in, and in exchange for peace demanded 

 work from the unwilling native. But just at present 

 the latter was at the zenith of his happiness, for he 

 probably managed to evade the work, or if not, to 

 do precious little, while at the same time he could 

 live his life of ease, immune from molestation, with 

 nothing to do but eat, sleep, get married, and laze 

 in his "shamba." What more does a native want? 

 Oh, these are indeed Uganda's palmiest days! It 

 will not last long. The introduction of a currency, 

 that root of all evil, will upset this easy-going 

 existence. It will teach them the daily worries of 

 earning bread, paying to live, and making two 

 ends meet ; great troubles hitherto almost foreign 

 to them, but surely well worth the privilege of 

 serving under the flag of such a great and successful 

 colonizing power as Great Britain. 



There is certainly a peculiar fascination in tread- 

 ing unfrequented paths, and I wandered on in the 

 direction of the setting sun, which was rapidly 

 disappearing behind the tops of the trees. Before 

 it went, however, it displayed a series of perfectly 

 wonderful cloud-effects, tinting them with ever- 

 changing hues, so diverse as to be indescribable, 

 and consequently so soon to be forgotten. The 



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