DOWN THE RIVER 



Such was the simple and almost invariable routine 

 of our days. But enriching it, varying it, disguising 

 it even as rain-squalls, sunshine, cloud shadow, and 

 unexpected winds modify the landscape so well 

 known from a study window were the incredible 

 incidents and petty adventure of African travel. 



The topography of the river itself might be divided 

 very roughly into three : the headwater country down 

 to its junction with the Tsavo, the palm-elephant- 

 grass stretch, and the gorge and hill district just 

 before it crosses the railroad. 



The headwater country is most beautiful. The 

 stream is not over ten feet wide, but very deep, 

 swift, and clear. It flows between defined banks, and 

 is set in a narrow strip of jungle. In places the bed 

 widens out to a carpet of the greenest green grass 

 sown with flowers; at other places it offers either 

 mysterious thickets, spacious cathedrals, or snug 

 bowers. Immediately beyond the edge of this river 

 jungle begins the thorn scrub, more or less dense. 

 Distant single mountains or buttes serve as land- 

 marks in a brush-grown, gently rising, strongly 

 rolling country Occasional alluvial flats draw back 

 to low cliffs not over twenty feet high. 



After the junction of the Tsavo palms of various 

 sorts replace to a large extent the forest trees. 

 Naturally also the stream widens and flows more 



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