Ill W^ildest Africa -»> 



but farther off in the glittering light they grow indefinite. 

 How the whole flood of life contrasts with the grim 

 volcanic barrenness of the landscape ! 



At this moment my impression of vast shepherd- 

 guarded herds is deepened by the sudden appearance of 

 some spotted hyenas, scattering among the volcanic pebble 

 beds, and then running away over the plain, and seeming 

 to play the part of the shepherds' dogs. 



But where are the herdsmen ot all these herds ? 

 Immediately there comes an answer to my question. 

 Yonder, by the margin of the lake, in the distance, I see 

 little wreaths of smoke rising. The idea they give me 

 of herdsmen on the watch is to be (juickly dissipated by 

 a report, not a loud one, followed by pufts of powder- 

 smoke that vanish quickly in the air. The shooting does 

 not disturb the animals that surround me. But then the 

 report is hardly audible, the little puffs of smoke barely 

 perceptible to the eye. I must find out who is disturbing 

 the peace. It is perhajxs a caravan making for the 

 X'ictoria Nyanza. For we are upon the new " rocid " 

 to the lake — a road which is indeed still in the regfion of 

 projects, but which soon will be plainly marked with 

 railway metal. 



The smoke puffs appt'ar at markedly regular intervals 

 and as (juickly disappear. I cannot understand it. b'or 

 a long time I keep my attention anxiously fixed on these 

 proceedings, all the while hurrying towards this remarkable 

 apparition. At last my field-glasses enable me to descry 

 a man, who from time to time drops on one knee to 

 take aim. 



^.6 



