354 RETURN MARCH TO LADO. 



8. Return March to Lad6. 



" NORTHERS" — STEPPE - FIRES — A CHIMPANZEE — FEEDING ELEPHANTS — 

 GREAT THIRST — A DANAGLA VISITATION — KEDERU HUNTING TROPHIES 

 AND GRAVES — A BATH IN THE IT6 — BACK AT KEDIBA. 



Originally we had intended to proceed by the direct route 

 to Kabayendi, but letters from Amadi compelled us to re- 

 linquish this plan. Proceeding in a northerly direction, we 

 reached the Yalo after an hour's march, at a spot where an 

 island divides the river into two arms. Its depth varied 

 between five and seven feet, but ledges of rock enabled us to 

 cross with ease. Splendid date-palms, quite as fine as those 

 seen in the southern khors, ornamented its banks. Broad 

 belts of humid grass enclosed the many hilly undulations, and 

 provided pasturage to herds of elephants. We frequently 

 passed groups of rocks and masses of gneiss, but none of them 

 afforded a prospect. Crossing Khor Ojo, we entered the Morii 

 country, or rather that part of it which is called Moru-Madi 

 on existing maps. Morii-Madi, however, is a pleonasm, for 

 Madi is merely the name given to the Moni by the Lori, and 

 is an appellation rejected by that tribe. 



Marching at this time of the year is rather unpleasant, as 

 strong northerly winds whirl up the vegetable ashes, which 

 almost blinded us. Proceeding at a fair rate, we soon passed 

 Jebel Riku, an isolated mountain, and reached Ngunyi, the 

 inhabitants of which had been frightened by a steppe-fire, which 

 destroyed their huts and laid waste their fields. Scarcely had 

 we reached Mollo, when we were compelled to halt, for the 

 country all round us was ablaze, and the heat most oppressive. 

 Khor Gullo, fringed by fruit-laden doleb palms, flows past this 

 village. It had shrunk into an insignificant swamp, crossing 

 which we made for the hills, which vividly reminded us of the 

 vicinity of Mvolo, presenting as they did a combination of bare 

 rocks and palm-trees. As we went on, the country grew more 

 rocky and desolate, and euphorbias once • more made their 

 appearance. The huts of the village of Yere are built in the 

 Moni and Kedeni style, being low, with dome- shaped roofs, 



