54 MRULI TO THE CAPITAL OF UNYORO. 



so completely covered with dead leaves that she looked exactly 

 like a wandering withered bush. 



On the 1 8 th inst. we started very early, but after ten 

 minutes' march we came to a halt near an extensive plantation 

 of bananas and sweet potatoes, in order to change our porters. 

 Matongali Vukimba had the best intentions ; but much palaver 

 and some blows were required before he was able to convince 

 the people that they must go on ; and when, after a quarter of 

 an hour's halt, we were again on the move, he followed us, with 

 one of his subchiefs, gesticulating and shouting in such an 

 energetic manner that I expected every minute a fight would 

 ensue. At last, however, the dispute was settled, as usual by 

 a friendly " Kuriingi " (good), and soon after Yukimba turned 

 back to his village. 



We then proceeded upon our way, stopping, however, at 

 every group of huts to try and press porters into our service. 

 The road led at first through fine fields and banana groves, 

 then up and down through high wild grass. On either hand, 

 at a distance of two or three miles, there rose mountain groups 

 forming distinct ranges. Magnificent " gallery " woods skirted 

 two muddy rain-gutters, which we crossed. 



The silvery-haired Colobus G-uereza was seen among the tops 

 of gigantic trees which were enveloped in climbing plants. The 

 Cercojpithecus griseo-viridis swung among the creepers, and 

 phoenix bushes, with Calladias, Amomum, and Rubiaceas, formed 

 the underwood. In the hollows where the rain collects there 

 was very little water ; it reaches nearly to our waists ; but the 

 mud and imbedded roots made our progress difficult. The 

 horse I had with me was perfectly useless ; I managed far 

 better on foot. 



A short march brought us to another stream with magnificent 

 " gallery " woods. The red tulip-like flowers of the Spathodia 

 shone against the thick dark foliage like flames of fire. We 

 now left the high grass and marched upon a road which had 

 been formed by pulling up the grass and cutting down the 

 trees. Unfortunately, however, marching was rendered very 

 difficult by the existence of deep holes where roots had been 

 pulled up. For some distance a khor flowed by us at our right 

 hand, its course being marked by dense foliage of overhanging 



