MAPPING OUT THE COUNTRY 



where camp was made. This would enable me to 

 reach the summit of Marti, explore the plateau and 

 return on the same day. Meanwhile I worked hard, 

 and covered a considerable amount of country. By 

 climbing a few isolated little hills, which rose some 

 150 feet above the plains, I was able to sketch in 

 the main landmarks on my plane table, but it was 

 not possible to fix the course of the river with any 

 accuracy from the south, as it was hidden by bush 

 and palm trees. I reached camp very late, and, while 

 waiting for supper, shot an old male baboon with 

 enormous canine teeth. It appeared that a large 

 troop had come down at midday, but on seeing my 

 men had fled in alarm, but this particular baboon 

 had remained behind, and had sat round camp, 

 always within 100 yards or so, and had barked and 

 roared defiance incessantly all through the afternoon. 

 He was quite the largest specimen I have seen, so 

 I was glad to add him to my collection. 



I was awakened the next morning by the grunting 

 of a lion, but by the time I was up and dressed, it 

 had ceased. I soon came upon its spoor not 200 

 yards from camp, and easily followed the pug marks 

 for about a mile, until I lost them completely on a 

 somewhat stony piece of ground. As the river was 

 left, the surface became gradually harder, so that it 

 was useless to continue the search. I turned back 

 again, and marched along the southern bank for 

 nearly an hour, when the guide told me that we had 

 reached a good ford where we could cross with ease. 

 So I turned to my right and, passing through a thick 

 belt of bush, entered the dom palms, following a little 

 path that led down to the river's edge. I was again 

 vividly impressed with the beauty of the scene, which 



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