ACROSS THE MAU ESCARPMENT 61 



It falls into far Lake Rudolph, which must be more than 

 three hundred miles to the north, through one of the most 

 stupendous valleys in the world. In that land of rocky 

 steeps, where little native shambas nestle, on patches of 

 rich soil not bigger often than a large carpet, dwell a brave 

 and interesting tribe, almost quite unknown. I camped 

 with them, and learned from them many strange things of 

 which I will speak later. 



When we first cross the Kerio it flows through an open 

 country, and over a clear, gravelly bed, an ideal little trout 

 stream then suddenly plunges into the dark forest. 

 One more march, and before us lies the wide Guash'ngishu 

 plain. And eighteen miles from this nearer edge of it, 

 where camp is pitched by beautifully clear water, and under 

 widespreading juniper trees, can be seen the gray summit 

 of the rocky hill of Sergoit. 



Sefaris are always in a hurry to get there, so let me at 

 once stand on its rounded summit, and point out some of 

 the features of this finest of all hunting countries. The 

 view is immensely extensive, and very grand everything 

 beneath and beyond is vivid green, for it has been raining 

 every afternoon for three months and trees and grass are 

 donning their summer finery. Two long lines of mountains 

 rise on either hand and run far to northward, where, closing 

 together somewhat, they form the two sides of a blunt- 

 headed triangle, at whose broad base I am standing. A 

 rough idea of the geography and local features of this 

 region is necessary, if I am to succeed in creating an interest 

 in those who may read this account of my wanderings, or 

 giving aid, as I wish to do, to those who may visit the 

 land themselves. 



The purple mass of Elgon at first catches the eye. 

 Lying to the northwest, it borders the plain on the lake 

 side, and from it extends a whole chain of oddly shaped 

 rocky knobs and irregular ridges that sink gradually down 



