144 IN THE GRIP OF THE NYIKA CHAP. 



Aberdare Mountains, which stretch away to the 

 southward at no great distance. In that direction 

 also towers the giant mountain Kinogop, near 

 which lie the beautiful waters of Lake El Bolosat. 

 The nights were still bitterly cold and we all suffered 

 more or less from the chill wind that swept down 

 the valley from icy Kenya, which stood out boldly 

 no great distance off to the north-east. 



From the Guaso Nyiro we marched to a stream 

 which the Masai call Angara Ngabit, and on the way 

 we saw a troop of baboons, huge red and brown 

 brutes that looked in the distance just like old 

 negroes. Lurcher made for them at sight, but they 

 were not in the least afraid, and when they got him 

 into their native bush, chased him for his life back 

 to us. 



The following march took us to the stream 

 called Angara Suguroi, and here we had an 

 exciting experience. As soon as camp was 

 reached, we noticed a crowd of vultures circling 

 in the air, about half a mile down-stream. I there- 

 fore sent Abbudi to find out what had been killed. 

 He soon returned with the information that two or 

 three lions had been there, and had killed and partly 

 eaten an eland. This was exceedingly good news 

 to receive, as I knew that the lions would be certain 

 to return after dark to resume their feast. We there- 

 fore determined to build a shoma. which is the 



