CHAPTER VII. 
LATOOKA. 
The country in the immediate neighbourhood of 
Latooka was parched, as there had been no rain for some 
time. The latitude was 4°.35', longitude E. 32°. 55'; 
the rains had commenced in February on the moun¬ 
tains on the south side of the valley, about eighteen 
miles distant. Every day there was an appearance of a 
storm; the dark clouds gathered ominously around the 
peak of the Gebel Lafeet above the town, but they were 
invariably attracted by the higher range on the 
opposite and south side of the valley, where they 
daily expended themselves at about 3 p. m. On 
that side of the valley the mountains. rose to about 
6,000 feet, and formed a beautiful object seen from my 
camp. It was most interesting to observe the embryo 
storms travel from Tarrangolle in a circle, and 
ultimately crown the higher range before us, while the 
thunder roared and echoed from rock to rock across 
the plain. 
Tlie Latookas assured me that at the foot of those 
mountains there were elephants and giraffes in abun¬ 
dance ; accordingly, I determined to make a recon¬ 
naissance of the country. 
On the following morning I started on horseback, 
with two of my people mounted, and a native guide, 
and rode through the beautiful valley of Latooka to 
the foot of the range. The first five or six miles were 
