XVI 
EN ROUTE FOR EL BO GO I 
373 
attention to the larger animals first. Moreover, the Grant’s 
gazelle were not in good condition at this time, and one 
young specimen I shot was rendered unfit for food by large 
dark-coloured warble grubs, of which its back was full just 
below the skin. 
Early on 6th May the extreme south-east point of the bay 
of Lalia was reached, whence our route struck inland for 
several marches. I felt some uneasiness about the water- 
supply when the lake should be no longer within reach, for 
the weather had been so excessively dry of late that the 
country was more burnt up than ever. I therefore took the 
precaution to send messengers to ascertain whether any was 
to be found at the camping-places between. On their return, 
the middle of the next day, we learnt that the pools half¬ 
way across the isthmus still contained sufficient for our needs, 
but at the intermediate camp it was all dried up. This would 
make the stages very long, and I was not without anxiety 
about the severe marches over heavy ground that would 
have to be undertaken in face of these rather trying condi¬ 
tions, the heat being intense. However, it had to be faced ; 
but, just before we should have started, what was very nearly 
resulting in a catastrophe, but which in the event proved the 
best thing that could have happened, occurred, in the shape 
of a sudden flood. 
About this part many very broad water-courses enter the 
lake ; indeed, sometimes one walks for considerable distances 
through what seems one broad, shallow river-bed, though all 
as dry as any bone. It is in such situations that trees are 
found, and on this occasion, as on many others, we had camped 
in one. A storm came on to-day, and must have been far 
heavier up the course of our sand river, for in the midst of 
the shower a wide stream of muddy water came rushing down 
upon the camp, and in a twinkling tent, loads, and all were 
flooded. Luckily the water did not rise much above ankle 
deep, but at the time things looked serious. It was not easy 
