14 
THE THOWA RIVER 
Some years ago Captain Aylmer led an expedition down 
the Tiva, and, though he was unable to get as far as he intended, 
obtained quite conclusive evidence that the river was absorbed 
in the sands of the Nyka. He also ascertained from the natives 
that the Thowa pursued an easterly course and was terminated 
by a lake of some size. 
During a residence of more than two years in Kitui the 
natives had given me such conflicting information with regard 
to this river, that I naturally became more and more anxious 
to find out for myself, and so make an end to these disputes 
and conjectures. My work had frequently taken me to regions 
traversed by this river in its upper course, where it flows through 
a well-populated and not unfertile valley. During the rains 
I had found it to contain a great volume of water which 
not infrequently overflowed the channel. The muddy waters 
swept past me with no uncertain current, bearing along huge 
logs of dead wood and other debris. It seemed hardly credible 
that such a quantity of water could be absorbed before reaching 
the sea. 
Some years ago Mr. Lane, when District Commissioner 
at Kitui, followed the river some thirty miles east of Mutha, 
and quite recently Mr. Scholefield has done the same. Both 
reported a well-defined broad channel running due east. 
Judging from reports some difficulty with the water-supply 
might be expected, and so it was considered best to set out as 
soon after the cessation of rains as possible. The November- 
December rain in the Kitui district had not been good, so that 
arrangements were made for carrying two days’ water if neces- 
sary. In spite, however, of a rather late start, this provision 
was found unnecessary. 
Mutha was reached by January 14 and here I found that the 
Chief Ngovi had already picked me out thirty of his strongest 
men, besides eight reserve men who, in addition to their bows 
and arrows, were armed with large knives for cutting the bush, 
which report said was very dense. Two old elephant hunters 
were also enlisted : Solo, an intrepid pursuer of all game, with 
a reputation of two hundred elephants to his poisoned shafts ; 
and Munubi, who had retired from the profession years past, 
and who was a man of extreme caution. After leaving Mutha 
