Soldiering and Sport in Uganda 



out of a deep recess, which seemingly might be the 

 haunt of unknown mysteries, and wander on for a 

 little in the open sunlight, to be lost again in another 

 deep opening in the face of the steep cliff which 

 rose up to swallow it. 



These rivers are covered completely from view 

 by tall rushes, which, although considered weeds 

 of the worst and most pernicious type out here, 

 are really in themselves quite pretty. They are 

 composed of long, green stalks about eight to 

 ten feet high, their tops of a delicate network of 

 flimsy green stamens. When a native drinks from 

 the river he very frequently does so through these 

 tops, which act as a natural filter, though somewhat 

 crude. I was much interested in the inhabitants of 

 Potosi. They were of splendid physique, and had 

 a more European type of feature than I had yet 

 seen. They grow their hair in plaits of about three 

 inches in length. They seemed very independent, 

 and did little else than smoke their pipes. In place 

 of tobacco they smoked wood ash. They have a 

 keen and laudable desire for clothes, but little or 

 nothing to buy them with, as beads still form the 

 currency in these parts. They wear a piece of dried 

 hide in a very neglige manner, so that they* were 

 practically naked. 



The cold at night was intense, and although I 

 nestled in my sleeping-bag under three blankets, it 

 was some time before I got properly warm. I was 

 late getting up the next morning, stiff from my 

 climbs, and the sun had already risen, lighting up 



134 



