IV TRAVELS m EASTERN- AFRICA 131 



from appearances at that time, they had been unoccu- 

 pied for more than a year. 



On the third day after leaving the plateau we entered 

 a thick forest of acacias. This forest was literally alive 

 with rhinoceroses, which charged the caravan at almost 

 every turn. We also saw many giraffes at this point. 

 There one of our porters died of dysentery, and was 

 buried by his companions. They made a shallow grave 

 with their axes and machettes, and wrapping him in 

 about four yards of sheeting, left him as silent evidence 

 of our visit to this part of the world. 



After another day's journey we emerged from the 

 forest, and entered upon a treeless plain covered with 

 coarse grass, which grew to a height of eight feet. 

 The river at this point was much narrower — not more 

 than forty feet wide — and flowed between steep banks. 

 At intervals along its shores were little sandy strips, 

 on each of which we would find a monstrous crocodile 

 lying. Upon our approach, these saurians would noise- 

 lessly slip off and disappear in the water. Along both 

 banks of the river elephant trails were to be found, 

 but for which it would have been impossible to trav- 

 erse the jungle. These trails did not afford the very 

 best paths for travel, having been worn in the rainy 

 season, and in consequence filled with deep holes made 

 by the ponderous feet of these animals. 



At noon we reached a small, solitary group of poplars. 

 My men climbed some of these trees and reported that 

 across the river in the jungle, at a distance of 1000 

 yards, there was a herd of twenty-two elephants. The 

 grass was so tall we knew it would be impossible to 

 get them, so we contented ourselves with gazing at 



