70 CHIEFS & CITIES OF CENTRAL AFRICA 



was precipitous, and he had been unable to climb 

 down it. However, we had found the water, we could 

 see it, and even as we rose and proceeded on our 

 way a noise like distant thunder smote our ears. 



Presently Aji, who had gone on ahead, came run- 

 ning back with the news that it was now possible to 

 reach the stream, and we had not long to wait before 

 our thirst was quenched. Meantime we pressed 

 through the low trees in search of a spot that 

 would command a view of the river below, and 

 suddenly the coarse vegetation, that had hitherto 

 surrounded and almost overwhelmed us, gave way 

 to bare rock. There, at a great distance below, was 

 a still quiet pool, girt in on either side with rugged 

 cliff. Fish -eagle circled over it, and hippopotami 

 crashed through the bush that grew upon its brink ; 

 and, echoing round its mighty walls, came from above 

 the sound of rushing- water. 



With light hearts and eager steps we again pressed 

 on, to slither down and scramble up precipitous gorges, 

 two or three hundred feet in height, but the sharp 

 grass and jagged rocks could not deter us now, for we 

 heard ever louder and louder the roar of the Djinn of 

 the Falls. His dwelling-place was no longer to be 

 surrounded with mystery. His guardians had failed 

 him, and the end was already near. Dense bush barred 

 our way : we pushed through it and saw the river 

 beneath us racing turbulently between high granite 

 walls, till of a sudden the ground broke, and with a 

 roar the mass of water vanished. On the farther side 

 rose another wall of rock, like to the one on which we 

 stood, and away to the horizon stretched a green 

 wooded landscape. The cruel force of the sun had 



