GULOLA SWA3IP 



woodpecker, or the whistle of some frightened dik- 

 dik. 



Two hours later I reached Gulola Swamp. This 

 important water-hole is situated just south of the 

 Equator, some seven miles north-west of Gulola 

 village. It is roughly circular in shape, and about 

 twelve miles in circumference ; and, although sur- 

 rounded by almost impenetrable jungle, the centre is 

 open and I should imagine very deep, for the bottom 

 slopes sharply down from the edge of the swamp. 

 After a plentiful rainy season, this pool lasts through- 

 out the year, and would amply suffice to water several 

 thousand head of cattle during that time. But it 

 has been known to dry up, with disastrous results 

 to the Somali and their cattle, who were dependent 

 on it. 



Two years previously it had failed, and the heaps 

 of dried and whitening bones that lay in its immediate 

 vicinity bore eloquent testimony to the tragedy that 

 ensued. I do not think that it would be either a 

 difficult or costly enterprise to clear and deepen the 

 pool sufficiently to make it a permanent reservoir. 

 If this were done it would prove an inestimable boon 

 to the natives. As I was examining the swamp, the 

 camels overtook me and passed on to the northwards. 

 I followed them an hour afterwards, marching at a 

 good pace along the trail which they had made. 



On leaving Gulola Swamp the whole aspect of 

 the country changed with startling abruptness, and 

 became arid in the extreme. The ground was 

 sandy, and the bush seemed to grow denser and more 

 impenetrable as we proceeded. The overhanging 

 branches, though they clung to my clothes and tore 

 them, afforded no shade, while the loose nature of the 



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