THE LOWER BENCHES 



dropped over in waterfalls — and precarious game 

 trails offered the only chance for descent. The 

 First Bench was a mere ledge, a mile or so wide. 

 From it one looked down into the deep gorge of the 

 Southern Guaso Nyero, and across to a tangle of 

 eroded mountains and malpais that filled the eye. 

 Only away in an incredible distance were other blue 

 mountains that marked the farther side of the great 

 Rift Valley. 



Our present task was to drop from the Third 

 Bench to the Second. For some distance we fol- 

 lowed the Narossara; then, when it began to drop 

 into its tremendous gorge, we continued along the 

 side hills above it until by means of various "hogs' 

 backs" and tributary canons we were able to regain 

 its level far below. The going was rough and stony, 

 and hard on the porters; but the scenery was very 

 wild and fine. We met the river bottom again in 

 the pleasantest oval meadow with fine big trees. 

 The mountains quite surrounded us, towering im- 

 minent above our heads. Ahead of us the stream 

 broke through between portals that rose the full 

 height of the ranges. We followed it, and found 

 ourselves on the Second Bench. 



Here was grass, high grass in which the boys were 

 almost lost to sight. Behind us the ramparts rose 

 sheer and high; and over across the way were some 



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