IV 



TRAVELS IN EASTERN AFRICA 



129 



course of the Guaso Nyiro stretched the desert, dazzhng 

 white, and level as the sea. At the point on which we 

 stood the face of the plateau made a sharp turn west- 

 ward, and in that direction continued as far as the eye 

 could see. 



After three days' march over the desert in a direction 

 parallel to the river we came to a spot where on all 

 sides roamed herds of zebra, oryx beisa, ostrich, and 

 grantii, and standing here and there was the huge black 

 body of a rhinoceros. One marvelled how these ani- 

 mals could sustain life on such a desert ; for with the 

 exception of a few low, parched bushes there was 

 scarcely any vegetation. Here and there a few strag- 

 gling blades of grass forced their way through the soil ; 

 but at no place was there apparent a growth sufficient, 

 in one's opinion, for the sustenance of such vast herds 

 of game. 



On one occasion while in this part of the country I 

 had a narrow escape from a rhinoceros. It was toward 

 evening, and we intended to soon make camp ; when, 

 at a point about 400 yards in advance of the column, 

 I saw a small herd of zebra and two giraffes. I halted 

 the caravan, and unaccompanied set out to stalk the 

 game. While so engaged I noticed to my right, at 

 a distance of about 200 yards, a solitary rhinoceros 

 placidly feeding. We had sufficient rhinoceros meat, 

 so I did not disturb him. The wind was blowino- from 

 where I stood toward him, in short and irregular puffs. 

 I had a]:)proachcd to within 200 yards of my quarry and 

 was about to take aim, when a shrill whistle from my 

 men reached my ears. I turned around, and just in 

 time, for the rhinoceros u})on scenting me at once made 



