342 IN THE GRIP OF THE NYIKA CHAP. 



evidently used by the Samburu or Wandorobo as 

 dwelling places and cattle kraals at certain seasons 

 of the year. 



In one of the caves we discovered the lair of 

 a lion with freshly gnawed bones strewn about 

 it. I must say that I approached the spot with 

 the greatest caution, as I had no ambition to call 

 on the lion in this gloomy place if he should be at 

 home. 



After travelling thus for a few miles along the 

 river-bed we all at once came to a narrow gorge 

 through which the river ran swiftly, filling it from 

 bank to bank so that it was impossible to go 

 up-stream any further. We did not want to retrace 

 our steps after having come so far, and it was not 

 possible to climb up the precipitous sides, so we 

 were rather in a difficulty; fortunately those who 

 had continued to march along the top heard us 

 shout, and lowered ropes to pull us up. These, 

 however, proved too short, so Asa Ram, the Indian 

 syce, took off his puggari, which was enormous and 

 very strong, and when this was knotted to the rope 

 it just reached to the bottom. By this means some 

 two dozen of us were hauled up the perpendicular 

 face of the rock and landed safely on the top. 



Next day, April i3th, we reached Legurchalan's 

 village on the banks of the Mara stream, and found 

 the old Samburu chief delighted to see us. I heard 



