FEOM KUKAWA TO KADDAI 315 



on the look-out for birds. The character of the landscape 

 along the route underwent no change ; always the way led 

 along the broad, open stretch of grass and sand that lay 

 between the belts of bush upon the land and the dense maria 

 thickets fringing the hidden Lake. No signs of life were 

 met with save tawny owls which at our passing woke out 

 of their sleep in the grass and flew silently away like un- 

 happy spirits that have been rudely summoned before their 

 appointed hour. 



Farther on the maria gave way and, growing less and 

 less, presently disappeared altogether. Then we came 

 within open view of the Lake. The great expanse of water, 

 stretching as far as the eye could reach and only broken by 

 a few distant islands blurred to phantoms by the mirage, 

 assailed the senses with a thrill of joy, as a vision of beauty 

 which, long guarded from the gaze, had suddenly yielded 

 and let fall the veil. 



