XVI EN ROUTE FOR EL BOGOI 373 



attention to the larger animals first. Moreover, the Grant's 

 gazelle were not in good condition at this time, and one 

 young specimen I shot was rendered unfit for food by large 

 dark-coloured warble grubs, of which its back was full just 

 below the skin. 



Early on 6th May the extreme south-east point of the ba}- 

 of Lalia was reached, whence our route struck inland for 

 several marches. I felt some uneasiness about the water- 

 supply when the lake should be no longer within reach, for 

 the weather had been so excessively dry of late that the 

 country was more burnt up than ever. I therefore took the 

 precaution to send messengers to ascertain whether any was 

 to be found at the camping-places between. On their return, 

 the middle of the next day, we learnt that the pools half- 

 way across the isthmus still contained sufficient for our needs, 

 but at the intermediate camp it was all dried up. This would 

 make the stages very long, and I was not without anxiety 

 about the severe marches over heavy ground that would 

 have to be undertaken in face of these rather trying condi- 

 tions, the heat being intense. However, it had to be faced ; 

 but, just before we should have started, what was very nearly 

 resulting in a catastrophe, but which in the event proved the 

 best thing that could have happened, occurred, in the shape 

 of a sudden flood. 



About this part many very broad water-courses enter the 

 lake ; indeed, sometimes one walks for considerable distances 

 through what seems one broad, shallow river-bed, though all 

 as dry as any bone. It is in such situations that trees are 

 found, and on this occasion, as on many others, we had camped 

 in one. A storm came on to-day, and must have been far 

 heavier up the course of our sand river, for in the midst of 

 the shower a wide stream of muddy water came rushing down 

 upon the camp, and in a twinkling tent, loads, and all were 

 flooded. Luckily the water did not rise much above aiikle 

 deep, but at the time things looked serious. It was not easy 



