The Geographical Journal (Journal of the Royal Geographical Society): Volume IX, No. 4 [‎199r] (68/172)

TWO YEARS’ TRAVEL IN UGANDA, UNYORO, AND ON THE UBPER NILE. 385
We marched in a westerly direction from here into the big plain at a
level of 4000 feet, which is covered with short grass, and a few thorn
bushes and small trees. There are no inhabitants until one approaches
the lake, when there are several villages belonging to a chief called
Kitoto. Towering over the plain to the west rises the great Nandi
escarpment, which runs right down to Ugowe bay, and then round by
the Wa Tiriki and Maragotia hills. It was very hot and steamy in the
plain, and there were thunderstorms in the evening and night. We
crossed the river Enolgotwe, flowing between steep banks, and 4 miles
further on reached the base of the hills, where we found a very well-
marked road, evidently used by the Nandi to drive their cattle and
GUASO MASO FORT, NANDI COUNTRY.
flocks down to graze. We climbed up to the top of the plateau again,
over 2000 feet, along a small watercourse, and on arriving there found
the hills covered with boulders of granite, and very bare. There was a
dense mist most of the day, and it was very cold and damp. The
countrv reminded me exactly of Mr. Rider Haggard’s description of the
unknown country in his book ‘The Children of the Mist, excepting
that we failed to find the beautiful princess, and were received with
poisoned arrows instead. The poison did not have much effect when
the arrows were taken out at once, and, under the skilful treatment of
Dr. Mackinnon, the patients nearly all recovered.
About 9 miles from the edge of the plateau the forest begins We
travelled along it for some way before entering it, which we .1 } a
very bad path, frightfully muddy and steep in places. This roadbroug
No. IV.— April, 1897.] 2 »