360 BEDEN TO KAKUlK. 



it furnished a supper which lasted until four o'clock in the 

 morning. Notwithstanding this protracted meal, we marched 

 early, and soon reached the very steep ascent to the mountain 

 chain which lay before us. The pass was overgrown with 

 such high grass that no view was possible, but I climbed 

 up Jebel Kyago, which lay near the road to the right, and 

 obtained there a satisfactory view, besides being able to take 

 a number of bearings by which to work out my map. The 

 descent from this chain is inconsiderable ; it may be best 

 described as a step to the terrace which rises in the west. A 

 bamboo wood grew along two small khors, Hauchu and Lotor- 

 tioni, both of which flowed through deep ravines. Broad 

 stretches of coffee-brown rich humus, black scattered blocks of 

 rock, the murmur of water clear as crystal, by which ferns and 

 moss grew luxuriantly, and the cool shade, reminded me of 

 far-away mountain woods, and if it had not been for the 

 characteristic vegetation, I could have imagined myself far 

 from Africa. A long march through high grass and prickly 

 Bandia bushes forcibly recalled the fact that I was still here. 

 The fields which surrounded the village of Mitika had been 

 much damaged by locusts, and as the Fajelii only cultivate a 

 little durrah, they will be badly off for mrissa this year ; — 

 eleusine forms their staple food. 



The rain poured down every day, and not alone by day, but 

 by night too, so that the soft humus clung like pitch to our 

 feet. Chief Fitia, a toothless old fellow, had, notwithstanding 

 an extra ration of brandy, the greatest difficulty in collecting 

 porters for us. The drums seem to have become hoarse on 

 account of the rain, and only gave forth a sorrowful sound. 

 We had to be content to begin our march after 7 a.m. 

 The rain accompanied us. Whole stretches of this district 

 were overgrown by Amomum and aloes. A great number of 

 small watercourses drained the soil ; notwithstanding this, we 

 continually came upon swampy depressions between the rows 

 of hills, their stiff, fetid mud being very unpleasant. I noticed 

 plants on all sides, such as Solanacese, gourds, and the castor- 

 oil plant, which indicated old settlements, and we also passed 

 many hamlets and villages encircled by extensive fields where 

 eleusine, Hyptis, dokhn, and Lubia were being grown. The 



