CHAPTER XX 



IN QUEST OF THE liOUNDARV 



From the information given to me by the guides, 

 I understood that on leaving Laishamunye we 

 should have to do a forced march of some thirty 

 miles before the water holes at Serah could be 

 reached. I determined, therefore, to start late in 

 the afternoon, when men and beasts had had their 

 food and water, and the fierce heat of the sun 

 had somewhat abated. 



After having seen that every available vessel was 

 filled with water, we turned away from the Guaso 

 Nyiro and set out northward towards Marsabit. 



The moment we got away from the river wr. 

 entered upon a dreary region covered for the most 

 part with stunted leafless trees and thorn scrub, 

 intersected here and there by dry gravelly ravines. 

 The reddish sandy soil gave an added appearance 

 of sun-stricken desolation to the surroundings, and 

 the dust getting into our throats induced a burning 



