90 VISIT TO THE SAMBA NAGOSHI PALLS. Chap. V. 



wliich I was determined to take in order to bring 

 aAvay accurate views of the splendid scenery which 

 I expected to behold. Besides three Ashira guides, 

 Arangui, Oyagui, and Ayagui, and two boys to 

 carry the cooking-pots and ammunition, I took with 

 me two Ashira Kamhas, natives of an outlying district 

 of Ashira-land lying along the banks of the Ovigui 

 river near its junction with the Ngouyai. These, 

 with four of my faithful Commi boys, formed my 

 party. I left my guns behind, taking only my 

 revolvers. My boys carried their guns, but left 

 behind their woollen-shirts and blankets, and every- 

 thing that was not indispensible. 



AVe left Olenda at nine a.m., and pursued a IT.-E. 

 direction imtil we struck the Ovigui river. We 

 had to cross this on a bridge formed of a single 

 tree-trunk lying about fifteen feet above the water. 

 We passed it with some difficulty, nearly losing my 

 camera, owing to the timidity of the carrier when 

 half-way across. From the eastern bank of the river 

 the path led to the foot of a high range of hills, 

 which bounds the Ashira plain on this side. At 

 four p.m. we encamped for the night on the banks 

 of a small stream. In tlie evening we had a frightful 

 thunder-storm, and had to lie down for the night in 

 wet clothes. 



' . December 2nd. Resumed our march at six aan. 

 The path lay along the western foot of the hilly 

 range, through a dense forest, the rich and varied 

 foliage of which was dripping with moisture. Not 

 a sound was heard, as we trudged steadily along in 

 Indian file. At nine o'clock we came upon a beau- 



