through a narrow deep gully. The river-bed, of dark-coloured
rock, was then quite dry with the exception of a few pools of
rain-water, but the Wa-Giryama informed me that the river is
fully 5 to S$ feet deep in the rainy season, and often quite
impassable, thus confirming what I had been told at M’Tan-
ganiko. I estimate the distance from here to Rabai to be
twenty-one miles.
The following morning felt quite chilly, and I noticed my
breath made vapour as at home! Leaving at 7 a.m., and
crossing the N’Zovoni river, I continued in a northerly direction
through level open forest country, crossing a small stream
flowing through a valley, in thick forest, with a good deal of
granite rock. Forest alternated with scattered Giryama
clearings till I struck the direct path to M’Tanganiko ‘ at
8.35, or four miles from the N ’Zovoni river, the other path continuing
on to M’Waiba, said to be six miles from M’Tanganiko:
The same description of country continued beyond' and the soil
everywhere appeared very good and of a brown to chocolate
loam. In one part of the forest I passed a thick growth of
euphorbia, and afterwards in open country patches of pineapples,
many of them forming regular clumps. These latter
grow wild and spread rapidly, proving how readily they could
be cultivated if required. Sansevieria guineensis was also
most plentiful, growing amongst the forest undergrowth.
I reached the Company’s shamba at M’Tanganiko at 10.45,
and after a brief rest went on to the village of that name,
which I estimated to be about twelve miles from my lfist camp
on N’Zovoni river.
Thence I proceeded to Konjora, and was delayed by having
to visit Sheikh Salim bin Hamisi, who had now moved
thither; after drinking some coffee and sherbet with him I
finally left at 2.50 for M’Tondoa, which I was glad to reach
at 5-3° p.m. I camped here for the night.
Leaving M’Tondoa next morning I halted at Roka only
long enough to rest my people and give them water, and then
pursued my journey. It was fearfully hot marching; we
travelled along the telegraph-line, which had been recently
cleared. The high bush and forest on each side completely
shut out every breath of air. About noon we reached