To Lake Albert Edward 
183 
At Ruisamba a number of boats were lying on the beach, and 
these we requisitioned for the passage across the elongated arm of 
Lake Albert Edward. But out of the large number of craft there 
were very few capable of reaching the opposite banks without first 
going under. Most of them proved to be so leaky, that it was 
impossible to put loads into them. Thus our transit in the few 
intact boats lasted some hours. In consequence, we set up our 
camp quite close to the shore on a high-lying plateau, which com¬ 
manded a splendid view over a wide part of the lake. We were 
not left long in the enjoyment of the fine prospect, for soon the 
lowering clouds rolled themselves together threateningly, and a 
storm of hurricane nature swept down over the lake, lashing and 
churning its waters. It rushed over the camp, threatening to 
upset all the tents, and ended by ripping off the roof of our 
mess-tent and carrying it high into the air. 
Travelling by way of Njama Kasana—where elephants were 
once numerous, but latterly have retired more to the Semiliki plain 
—Kasindi was reached on the 6th of December after we had 
passed through a broad euphorbiaceous steppe. Monsieur Boisac, 
the Chef de paste, received us at the top of the terrace-shaped 
formation on which the village is situated. 
Kasindi is quite a recent and but a temporary station. The 
houses are built of a light material— matete "^—and had fallen 
badly into disrepair in consequence of the violent storn. In parts 
they had to be kept from falling down by strong beams. Vermin 
of every description housed there, the rats whisked about the 
place as we messed, and their feet could be seen in the canvas 
cover spread as a canopy, like those of rope-dancers in a net. 
The station itself lies cn a desolate, treeless steppe, and is just 
an hour’s distance from the lake, which can be overlooked for 
miles around. A small wood of acacias, which is a frequent 
haunt of elephants, extends from below the station to the shores 
of the lake. Away over the ranges of low hills which close 
Kasindi in on the northern side, the snow-capped summits of the 
Ruwenzori chain, which may be seen for a few moments in the 
* Matets, elephant grass about | inch thick. 
