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 



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