The Taita Plains and Lake Jipe. 345 
Antelopes, zebras, giraffes, and ostriches fled at our 
approach everywhere ; but the rhinoceros, uncon- 
cernedly feeding in our way, compelled us to turn 
aside several times. 
We had not gone far before the Ugono mountains 
were distinctly visible, and we quickened our pace. 
For an additional landmark we had a low, hump- 
backed hill rising at the north end of the Ugono 
range, and this we kept a little on our right. The 
sun blazed upon us most mercilessly, being only occa- 
sionally overcast with light clouds, so that though the 
men indulged in frequent rests, they speedily became 
exhausted and fell to the earth, many of them panting 
for breath* 
Precept being of little avail in inducing them to 
press forward, I tried the effect of example, and took 
the lead. A few came on after me, but the rest 
lagged behind. Presently the silvery sheen of the 
lake appeared in patches between the trees, a sight 
which greatly inspirited us. Onward I pressed, getting 
almost unconsciously into a run. Tofiki, Mungoma, 
Abashora, and one or two others followed me hard 
down, each doing his utmost to keep up with me. 
Down, down, at a headlong pace, our tongues 
cleaving to the roofs of our mouths, extreme thirst 
urging us and the sight of the water luring us on, 
we pressed forward till, ready to drop, Mungoma 
and I reached the verge of the lake at two p.m. 
On our knees we thanked God for His mercy, 
and then drank of the precious fluid. What a 
draught that was ! Tofiki (who had picked up the 
load of a fallen man) and Abashora next arrived. 
The former, an Islamized African, repeated his 
