plantations devoted to the cultivation of Indian com,
millet, and tobacco; and before the herds of the people
were destroyed by the cattle plague, which occurred in
1889, many thousands of cattle, sheep, and goats were
raised. A t that time this country was one of the richest
on the east coast of Africa. In the midst of this vast
plain, now covered with tall grass, may yet be found
stalks of wild millet and stunted Indian corn, which
lend their testimony to the fact that what is now but
a prairie had once been the scene of considerable agricultural
industry. Along the banks of the Tana, and
for some distance to the eastward, dense forests are
to be found, where the rubber plant is plentiful.
Our camp at Mkonumbi was 200 to 300 yards from
the shore, along which were scattered fifty or sixty
palm-thatched huts. These comprised the village of
Mkonumbi. In the centre of our camp rose two large
mango trees, whose thick branches afforded a grateful
shade from the tropical sun. Under these trees we
pitched our three tents. A space of three acres in
extent was cleared of grass and brush, and fenced in
by a strong thorn hedge. Around the inner side of
this enclosure we placed the huts, thatched with straw
or palm leaves, for the use of the porters. Two gates,
one on the side toward the river, and the other on
the opposite side of the camp, were guarded by my
Soudanese. In front of our tents, in a space left open
for that purpose, were placed the tents in which were
stored the ammunition, trading-goods, and provisions.
In one corner of our camp was placed a square, boxlike
edifice, constructed from camel saddles. This was
the habitation of the Somali.