The Ruchuru and Ruindi Plains 



volcano — drain into Lake Kivu, directly into the Oso River, 

 a tributary of the Congo, or into Lake Edward ; or even if 

 its waters drain off at all, but it has been thought that this 

 small lake might form the source of the Ruindi. Judging 

 by the configuration of the Kasali and the connecting ranges 

 viewed from the Lake Edward side, I am of the opinion 

 that Lake Moho does not form a direct source for the Ruindi, 

 but may however feed a spring below its own level by seepage 

 through the intervening hills at its north end, and so become 

 indirectly a source for the latter river. 



After the gameless country of Ruanda our trek amongst 

 the herds of buck scattered over the intervening plains between 

 the Ruchuru and Ruindi Rivers, was indeed a pleasure, 

 and in spite of the terrific heat the rather stiff march passed 

 more easily. This first day gave us a foretaste of our new 

 environment, after which we expected anything, for whilst 

 striking camp in the early morning we were all set agog, as 

 we munched our breakfast, by a fine old lioness suddenly 

 appearing in full view of the whole caravan. She was, how- 

 ever, a little too curious and stood regarding us just a trifle 

 too long, for having my rifle handy I drew a bead on her at 

 three hundred yards and hit her, whereupon she sprang 

 into the long grass, lying down beside an ant-heap as if badly 

 wounded. Unfortunately it was impossible to follow her up, 

 as the lioness was on the opposite side of the river which 

 was unfordable at this point, so there we had to leave it, for 

 a hot and long journey lay before us. 



The lioness began the day and a nasty, solitary old 

 bull buffalo ended it, challenging our right of way as we 

 approached our proposed camping place on the Ruindi 

 River. 



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