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CHAPTER XXXI. 



Journey from Plow to Mulkukuyu, general direction south-west, 

 time marching, four hours and a half. — Forest on right bank of 

 Hawash. — The ford of Mulkukuyu. — Passage of the river. — 

 Congratulations. — Scorpion hunting. — Visit the Hippopotamus 

 lake. — Journey from Mulkukuyu to Azbotee, general direction 

 west, time marching, five hours and a half. — Lee Adu. — Change 

 in character of the country. — View of the table land of Abys- 

 sinia. — The so-called Abyssinian Alps. — Reflections. 



May 20th. — Being nearly the first on the line of 

 march, as we were the morning before, we again 

 started from our halting-place some hours before sun- 

 rise, and after descending the precipitous side of the 

 ridge of Billin or How, we entered upon an exten- 

 sive and densely-wooded country to the west. For 

 the first few miles, the march was across a very stony 

 district, the mimosa trees were low and ragged-look- 

 ing, and not growing so closely together as we found 

 them to do as we advanced. After proceeding some 

 little distance, four ostriches, of a light-brown or stone 

 colour, trotted away on our approach. The long 

 thick legs seemed large in proportion to the body 

 of the bird, and gave me the idea of a light frame, 

 suspended upon two powerful spring propellers. 

 The progress of the two hind legs of a trotting horse, 



