2o6 



UNDER THE AFRICAN SUN 



Mahaji safely, and in time for an afternoon cup of tea in front 

 of the hut built for the use of European officials on the slope of 

 the hill. 



In the steel-boat it took me ten hours, twelve hours, and 

 eight and a half hours respectively to cross Lake Albert. I 

 believe the quickest passage recorded has been a few minutes 

 under eight hours. 



Mahaji is perched on the top of a hill ; Kibero is built on a 

 plain. At Kibero no attempt is made at agriculture. At Mahaji 

 banana groves and fields of Kaffre-corn supply the natives with 



AFTERNOON TEA AT MAHAJI. 



food and labour. At Kibero only scrub and undergrowth is 

 found ; Mahaji is well wooded. 



Nur Effendi had safely crossed in the dug-out, but told me 

 that he and his were very nearly drowned. He must indeed 

 have had an awful time of it, remembering what we had ex- 

 perienced in the large steel-boat. Two other dug-outs with 

 Swahilies had also succeeded in crossing ; but the officer at 

 Mahaji had promptly placed the men under supervision, in 

 case they should turn out to be fugitive deserters. The other 

 canoes had all speedily returned to Kibero, fearing to face 

 the elements. Therefore no loss of life at sea resulted from 

 the storm. 



