Chapter III. 



The path, which seems at times Hke a sort of deep trench 

 cut through walls ofliigli grass, and then again opens out into a 

 tolerably wide road over tracts of plain, proceeds as straight as 

 any ancient Roman highway, crossing hills or following their 

 ridges, descending into valleys and piercing forests, or running 

 over reaches of watery swamps on a low viaduct. This latter 

 is constructed by cutting down papyrus stalks and canes 



PAWPAW TREE. 



and throwing them across tlie road from side to side, thus 

 forming a tliick stratum ujion which the patii is built of sand 

 and earth, ])eaten hai'd and strengthened on either side by ])iles 

 diiven deep into the mud. 



This is the ancient road which exist("d before the British 

 (K-ciipiitioii. It is kept u]) with griNit care bv gangs of half- 



78 



