222 
ELEVATED COUNTRY AT FARAJOKE. [chap, viii 
rearing and lashing ont behind to the great discom¬ 
fiture of the natives. The fowl did not appear to have 
enjoyed itself during the operation ; but the knife put 
an end to its troulDles, as the ceremony of welcome 
being completed, the bird was sacrificed and handed to 
my headman. I was now conducted to the village, 
It was defended by a high bamboo fence, and was 
miserably dirty, forming a great contrast to the clean 
dwellings of the Bari and Latooka tribes. The hill 
upon which the village was built was about eighty feet 
above the general level of the country, and afforded a 
fine view of the surrounding landscape. On the east 
was the chain of Madi mountains, the base well wooded, 
while to the south all was fine open pasturage of sweet 
herbage, about a foot high, a totally different grass to 
the rank vegetation we had passed through. The 
country was undulating, and every rise was crowned 
by a village. Although the name of the district is 
Farajoke, it is comprised in the extensive country of 
Sooli, together with the Shoggo and Madi tribes, all 
towns being under the command of petty chiefs. 
The general elevation of the country was 3,966 feet 
above the sea-level, 292 feet higher than Obbo. 
The chief of Farajoke, observing me engaged in 
taking bearings with the compass, was anxious to 
know my object, which being explained, he volun¬ 
teered all information respecting the country, and 
assured me that it would be quite impossible to cross 
the Asua during the rainy season, as it was a violent 
torrent, rushing over a rocky bed with such impe¬ 
tuosity, that no one would venture to swim it. There 
was nothing to be done at this season, and however 
trying to the patience, there was no alternative. 
Farajoke was within three days’ hard marching of 
Faloro, the station of Debono, that had always been 
my projected head-quarters; thus I was well advanced 
upon my intended route, and had the season been 
propitious, I could have proceeded with my baggage 
animals without difficulty. 
