ACROSS THE MAU ESCARPMENT 61 
It falls into far Lake Rudolph, which must be more than 
three hundred miles to the north, through one of the most 
stupendous valleys in the world. In that land of rocky 
steeps, where little native shambas nestle, on patches of 
rich soil not bigger often than a large carpet, dwell a brave 
and interesting tribe, almost quite unknown. I camped 
with them, and learned from them many strange things of 
which I will speak later. 
When we first cross the Kerio it flows through an open 
country, and over a clear, gravelly bed, an ideal little trout 
stream — then suddenly plunges into the dark forest. 
One more march, and before us lies the wide Guash’ngishu 
plain. And eighteen miles from this nearer edge of it, 
where camp is pitched by beautifully clear water, and under 
widespreading juniper trees, can be seen the gray summit 
of the rocky hill of Sergoit. 
Sefaris are always in a hurry to get there, so let me at 
once stand on its rounded summit, and point out some of 
the features of this finest of all hunting countries. The 
view is immensely extensive, and very grand — everything 
beneath and beyond is vivid green, for it has been raining 
every afternoon for three months and trees and grass are 
donning their summer finery. ‘Two long lines of mountains 
rise on either hand and run far to northward, where, closing 
together somewhat, they form the two sides of a blunt- 
headed triangle, at whose broad base I am standing. A 
rough idea of the geography and local features of this 
region is necessary, if | am to succeed in creating an interest 
in those who may read this account of my wanderings, or 
giving aid, as I wish to do, to those who may visit the 
land themselves. 
The purple mass of Elgon at first catches the eye. 
Lying to the northwest, it borders the plain on the lake 
side, and from it extends a whole chain of oddly shaped 
rocky knobs and irregular ridges that sink gradually down 
