334 



TO KENIA 



as we went on, the lieigiits, rising in a north-westerl}^ and soutli- 

 easterly direction tlironghout the whole district, became broader 

 and less lofty, varying in altitnde from abont 100 to 300 

 feet, whereas those we had crossed earlier were from 300 to 

 500 feet high. The difficulties of the way decreased rapidly 

 now, as much better paths led up the slopes here, and we were 

 astonished at the skill with which these paths had been made, 

 and the care with which they were kept in order. From the 

 top of a lofty hill, which we crossed on September 25, we had 

 an extended view of much of Kikayuland, and we could see 

 how near we had kept all along to its eastern frontier. We 

 also noted that the plain between Kikuyu and Ukambani be- 

 comes narrower towards the north, and finally melts away 

 altogether, so that the mountainous portion of Kikuyuland 

 becomes merged in the plateau of Ukambani. It also became 

 clear to us that this ridge connecting the highlands of Kikuyu 

 with the plateau of northern Ukambani must form the water- 

 shed between the Sabaki and Tana, so that the various streams 

 of Kikuyu, of which so far we had crossed thirty-six, belong- 

 to the Sabaki system. 



During this march some two or three thousand natives had 

 followed and surrounded us, but we were glad to see that some 

 of them bestirred themselves to keep the peace. At about 

 eleven o'clock we reached a capital camping-place, with plenty 

 of bush and trees near by. The chiefs kept their people away 

 till our fence was made, and we felt quite cheered up by the 

 friendly behaviour of all the natives, but we were still rather 

 disappointed at the length of the journey, for six days pre- 

 viously we had been told that we should get to the frontier in 

 another four ; and when we were at ISTgongo Bagas we had 

 hoped to effect the transit in eight days. It was now three 

 weeks since we entered Kikuyuland ! 



The next day we marched in a northerly direction through 



