64 After Big Game in Central Africa 



of Undi, and the neighbouring country. Between the 

 Upper Tchiritse and the Kapoche, both of which are 

 extreme tributaries of the Luyia, are still found the 

 Luyia itself and the Loangwe. These four deltas were 

 as deserted as the earth was before the creation of 

 man, and one could march for a week there in any 

 direction without meeting a village ; formerly there 

 had been a few villages, but the Mafsitis had destroyed 

 them. 



The land was well watered by the four rivers which 

 I have named, and by their many tributaries; there 

 were to be found shady places and swamps, dear 

 to elephants, as well as gigantic thickets, pieces of 

 forest-land, and grassy plains suitable for these animals. 

 Flat in certain parts, mountainous in others, alter- 

 nately wooded and open, level and undulated, the 

 ground was fitted for all species, and was inhabited 

 by them. Large pachydermata, hardly ever being 

 disturbed, became less nomadic ; in brief, it was an 

 excellent country for sport, provided that one knew 

 how to make the best of it. There were, on the other 

 hand, many difficulties for us, density of vegetation, 

 height of grass, and difficulty in moving through 

 those almost impenetrable thickets, or those swamps 

 which, though easy enough for an elephant or a 

 rhinoceros, were difficult and fatiguing for man. 

 Besides, the position in which the hunter placed him 

 self became extremely perilous in case of danger. I 

 must add that rain continued to fall heavily, and that 

 the first day of our arrival at Niarugwe Camp we 

 were unable to leave our tents. 



