Chapter III. 
The path, which seems at times like a sort of deep trench 
cut through walls of high grass, and then again opens out into a 
tolerably wide road over tracts of plain, proceeds as straight as 
any ancient Roman highway, crossing hills or following their 
ridges, descending into valleys and piercing forests, or running 
over reaches of watery swamps on a low viaduct. This latter 
is constructed by cutting down papyrus stalks and canes 
PAWPAW TREE. 
and throwing them across the road from side to side, thus 
forming a thick stratum upon which the path is built of sand 
and earth, beaten hard and strengthened on either side by piles 
driven deep into the mud. 
This is the ancient road which existed before the British 
occupation. It is kept up with great care by gangs of half- 
78 
