Chapter III. 



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

 cut through walls of high 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 rvuniing 

 over reaches of watery swauijjs on a low viaduct. Tliis latter 

 is constructed by cutting down papyrus stalks and canes 



I'AWPAW TREE. 



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

 forming a thick stratum upon which the path is built of sand 

 and earth, beaten hard and strengthened on either side by piles 

 driven deep into the mud. 



This is the ancient road wliich existed before the British 

 occupation. It is kept up with great care by gangs of half- 



78 



