The Geographical Journal (Journal of the Royal Geographical Society): Volume IX, No. 4 [‎192v] (55/172)

372 TWO YEARS’ TRAVEL IN UGANDA, UNYORO, AND ON THE UPPER NILE.
three-quarters of a mile long, and about 150 to 80 yards in breadth at
the top; it has precipitous sides, covered with grass, low trees, and
shrubs, and is 762 feet above Masindi fort, the present headquarters, and
4640 feet above the sea. It can be seen distinctly from most parts of the
country, even from close to the Murchison falls. From the top of it one has
a magnificent view over the country, which, however, looks decidedly
disappointing; the dull green of the swamps preponderates, bits of yellow
here and there mark the mtama cultivation, intermingled with banana
groves, especially to the west and north-west, which is very thickly
populated. Close to the east, between the Kisoga line of hills, lies a
small lake fringed with papyrus, from which rises the river Kata-
gurakwa, that flows through a narrow gorge in the hills, and across a
flat plain covered with low trees to the Kafu river. Far to the north
west several hills stand out, among which the Gisi peak is the most
noticeable. The ground slopes gradually down towards the lake in
gentle undulations. The valleys, in the immediate vicinity of Mount
Fumbi, are very fertile, and covered with quantities of Indian corn,
dhurra, mtama, tobacco, semsem oil, and bananas plantations. The
castor-oil tree is also often found. This hill is used as a refuge
in time of war, and we found some tusks of ivory hidden away on the
top, one of them weighing no less than 164 lbs. Kabba Rega is still
supposed to have a quantity of ivory concealed in the swamps and
rivers.
In the first expedition we left the high ground to our left, and found
the road as far as Kangara hill very bad indeed; we had to cross two
deep swamps, one called the river Tabashari. After this the country
became more open, and covered with nice short grass. The road
appeared very well used, and led along the base of the ridge, running
north-east from Katonezi to the gorge at Kisoga, where there was a very
well posted ambush of Wanyoro. This district was under a chief called
Mbogo, who with Irata, another important chief, have now retired with
their king into exile in the Lango country. We marched away over
the waterless plain round Kaduku hill, another very prominent landmark
to the Nile, which we joined near Kunguru island.* The country here is
ver y an( ^ °P© n , and dotted about with lovely Borassus palms. It was
hard to believe that the Nile was really in front of us—it looked far more
like a great papyrus swamp ; and, indeed, it was not till leaching Magia
hill that one was enabled to see the water, and get a view of this
magnificent river, over 1000 yards broad, and truly, as Speke described
it, a giant at its birth. Here we met Captain Dunning, d.s.o., and
-aptam Ashburnham, who had made their way with another column by
a very good road along the river Kafu via Mruli. The former gallant
soldier and best of comrades died afterwards, to our great sorrow, whilst
e ' N 6 re transporting him and also Major Cunningham, both severely
wounded, to our nearest station. I do not think Sir Samuel and Lady