NATIVE MODE OF DEYING DHUREA 



266 



dhurra from the fields if they did not bring it to market, the 

 Count thought we had better go . on at once, so on July 3 we 

 started again. 



The Trraweli was how full of water, heavy rain having 

 evidently fallen higher up country, and crossing it would be 

 difficult for our laden animals. We pushed on southward 

 through woods and bush a little distance from the rivei', till we 

 came to a village, near to which we camped. On our way we 

 had caught several glimpses of the mountains which shut in 

 the valley of the Trraweli. The mountain slopes, which vary 

 in height from about 3,000 to 4,500 feet, here approach more 

 nearly to the stream, and as a result the country, esjDecially on 

 the left side of the river, is better watered and far more densely 

 wooded. We were told that a copious brook issues from this 

 mountain range, and Mr. W. Jackson has since proved it to be 

 the source of the Trraweli, which rises on Mount Elgon. It 

 is said that nomad Suk live on these mountains. 



Now that we were in higher districts, the sky was always 

 very cloudy, and there was a good deal of thunder and lightning 

 near us, whilst in the distance lightning flashes were almost 

 unintermittent. Eain fell, however, but seldom, and that in 

 very small quantities only. The thermometer varied between 

 + 16° and +28° Centigrade. 



Although we pitched our tents quite close to the village, 

 very few natives came to see us, and as the traders told us we 

 were in the very poorest part of Ngaboto, we shifted camp the 

 next day further south, and close to two other settlements, 

 where also the ubiquitous ivory traders had their representa- 

 tives. The dhurra was still standing in the fields here, but the 

 harvest had just begun. The natives cut off the ears of corn 

 and then pluck them to pieces with their fingers, throwing 

 them on to an open piece of ground made perfectly flat, where 

 they are left to dry in the sun, after which they are lightly 



