AFRICAN CAMP FIRES 



one of his expressions that did much to compen- 

 sate. 



The country mounted steadily through the densest 

 thorn scrub I have ever seen. It was about fifteen 

 feet high, and so thick that its penetration save by 

 made tracks would have been an absolute impossi- 

 bility. Our road ran like a lane between two spiky 

 jungles. Bold bright mountains cropped up, singly 

 and in short ranges, as far as the eye could see them. 



This sort of thing for twenty miles more than 

 a hard day's journey on safari. We made it in a 

 little less than two hours; and the breeze of our 

 going kept us reasonably cool under our awning. 

 We began to appreciate the real value of our diplo- 

 macy. 



At noon we came upon a series of unexpectedly 

 green and clear small hills just under the frown of 

 a sheer rock cliff. This oasis in the thorn was oc- 

 cupied by a few scattered native huts and the usual 

 squalid Indian dukka, or trading store. At this 

 last our German friend stopped. From under the 

 of seat he drew out a collapsible table and a basket 

 of provisions. These we were invited to share. 

 Diplomacy's highest triumph! 



After lunch we surmounted our first steep grade 

 to the top of a ridge. This we found to be the 

 beginning of a long elevated plateau sweeping gently 



200 



