Soldiering and Sport in Uganda 



are covered with papyrus, obliterating any sight of 

 the water and often creating swamps by blocking 

 up the river bed. The expedition was constantly 

 checked by having to cross swamps so formed, and 

 could not proceed until the troops had cut down 

 the gigantic rushes, which were bound if necessary 

 into bundles and laid upon the surface of the swamp. 

 Their floating power was then sufficient for even 

 the passage of a single mule or of porters with 

 60 lb. loads. Just then my corporal espied the main 

 body advancing from an opposite valley, and down 

 I rushed over the other side to go and meet them. 



They were about to retire by another route, 

 so that if I had not cut them off^ I should have 

 missed them. They had been on very slender rations, 

 and had marched rapidly through a practically 

 unknown country. Of course they were very 

 despondent at being ordered back. One of their 

 number shot a Situnga antelope just as I came up, 

 and was very elated, as it is a particularly difficult 

 specimen to obtain, living as it does among the long 

 reeds of the marshes and swamps. I left them, 

 after an exchange of news, in order to get back to 

 my camp before dark. I found my cook and boy on 

 a promontory overlooking the lake and half-way 

 back to camp. Here I sat down, and being simply 

 ravenous, ate a very hearty luncheon. I never 

 enjoyed anything so much in my life even at 

 Prince s, Claridge's, or the Savoy. 



I had chosen a delightful quiet spot, lapped by 

 the water of the lake, and the sweetest yellow and 



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