INCORRECT INFORMATION 



monotony of these silent sun-scorched wastes, where 

 the view is perpetually bounded by the jungle. A 

 little later on a troop of eight giraffes crossed my 

 path some 300 yards ahead, stood for a moment 

 gazing at me, and then went on, first one, then another, 

 breaking into their curious heavy gallop, their long 

 black tails screwed up over their backs. 



About nine I suddenly came upon the river again, 

 which had at this place cut a deep channel for itself 

 in the soft sand, but it was still quite dry, its general 

 direction beinof from S.W. to N.E. After crossing- it 

 I marched on a compass-bearing of 320°. According 

 to the latest map this would lead me by the shortest 

 route to the Lorian, which I then thought was not 

 very far ahead. This was all the information I had 

 to guide me, and, as it proved, it was quite incorrect, 

 but I am oflad I did not know it then. Two miles 

 farther on I came upon two large water-holes which 

 were also quite dry ; nearly due north of them was a 

 solitary low hill covered with bush. I determined to 

 climb this, and on reaching the summit obtained a 

 fairly extensive view over the surrounding country 

 from the top of a tree. An unbroken expanse of 

 thorn-scrub met my eye in every direction. No single 

 landmark of any description broke the monotony of 

 that absolutely level stretch of desert jungle which 

 hid even the course of the Lak Dera from view. 

 The harsh call of some guinea-fowl only served to 

 intensify the silence that reigned over the bush. As 

 I was making my way down the hill to the place 

 where I left my mule, I shot one of these birds, at 

 which I was very pleased, for I had practically no 

 food left of any kind except rice and tea. A few 

 yards farther, much to my astonishment, I suddenly 



189 



