378 



A SPORTING TRIP THROUGH ABYSSINIA 



tropical growth, having to force a way for the laden 

 mules along the narrow path by the river-side, a path 

 overgrown with bush and blocked by dead tree-trunks, 

 which a network of creepers often kept suspended in mid- 

 air. Big cactus trees, orchids, and ferns grew everywhere 

 in profusion. Before we reached the borders of the 



The Road from Simien. 



cultivated ground, after two and a half hours' march, we 

 saw a big troop of grey-haired monkeys travelling along 

 the opposite bank, at which I tried, though unsuccess- 

 fully, to get a shot. The villagers had been anxious for 

 us to halt as soon as we reached the first hamlet — I 

 think in order to report my arrival — but I kept on for 

 another half-hour, and then camped on a bit of level 

 ground below the terraced village of Abbinar, where the 

 barley was six inches high, while at Lurey they were 

 only just beginning to plough the land. Soon four head- 

 men eathered round me, full of talk, and brin^inor various 



