CHAP. IX.J 
MARCH TO OBBO . 
369 
their presence I should be unable to procure porters 
as the natives would not accompany my feeble party, 
especially as I could offer them no other payment but 
beads or copper. The rains had commenced within 
the last few days at Latooka, and on the route towards 
Obbo we should encounter continual storms. We were 
to march by a long and circuitous route to avoid the 
rocky passes that would be dangerous in the present 
spirit of the country, especially as the traders possessed 
large herds that must accompany the party. They 
allowed five days’ march for the distance to Obbo by 
the intended route. This was not an alluring pro¬ 
gramme for the week’s entertainment, with my wife 
almost in a dying state! However, I set to work, and 
fitted an angarep with arched hoops from end to end, 
so as to form a frame like the cap of a wagon. This 
I covered with two waterproof Abyssinian tanned 
hides securely strapped; and lashing two long poles 
parallel to the sides of the angarep, I formed an excel¬ 
lent palanquin. In this she was assisted, and we 
started on 23d June. 
Our joint parties consisted of about three hundred 
men. On arrival at the base of the mountains, instead 
of crossing them as before, we skirted the chain to 
the north-west, and then rounding through a natural 
gap, we ascended gradually towards the south. 
VOL. i. 
B B 
