CH. XVII ALONG THE GUASO NYIRO 219 



summit. Away to the west nothing was to be seen 

 except barren mountains and hills, stretching in a 

 broken line to the great mountain of Laigrisia, 

 which stands on the north side of the river. \Yc 

 could follow the course of the Guaso Nyiro for 

 some distance, winding its tortuous way with 

 difficulty through this rugged and inhospitable 

 region. The Reserve to the north of the river 

 presented a bleak and uninviting appearance, and it 

 struck me that the beasts in it were in a natural 

 sanctuary which would not be readily invaded by 

 civilised man. After taking notes of everything of 

 importance within sight, we made our way down 

 from the mountain and returned to cam{) by a 

 different route. On the way we met a rhino rather 

 unexpectedly, but luckily he took to his heels, and 

 we reached our tents at Elongatta without any 

 further adventure. We were all glad to retire early, 

 so as to have a good rest to prepare us for the 

 journey which we proposed to commence along the 

 Guaso Nyiro on the following morning. 



My plan now was to push on along the river, 

 which for many miles forms the southern boundary 

 of the Reserve, until I should reach somewhere 

 about the 38th degree of east longitude. Then 

 I intended to turn northward towards Marsabit, 

 which is a mountainous district lying on the 38th 

 meridian, and explore the country as far as that 



