354 RETURN MARCH TO LADO.

8. ReturRN Marcy To Labo.

‘““ NORTHERS” — STEPPE - FIRES—-A CHIMPANZEE — FEEDING ELEPHANTS— GREAT THIRST—A DANAGLA VISITATION—KEDERU HUNTING TROPHIES AND GRAVES—A BATH IN THE ITO—BACK AT KEDIBA.

ORIGINALLY we had intended to proceed by the direct route to Kabayéndi, but letters from Amadi compelled us to relinquish this plan. Proceeding in a northerly direction, we reached the Yalo after an hour’s march, at a spot where an island divides the river into two arms. Its depth varied between five and seven feet, but ledges of rock enabled us to cross with ease. Splendid date-palms, quite as fine as those seen in the southern khors, ornamented its banks. Broad belts of humid grass enclosed the many hilly undulations, and provided pasturage to herds of elephants. We frequently passed groups of rocks and masses of gneiss, but none of them afforded a prospect. Crossing Khor Ojo, we entered the Moru country, or rather that part of it which is called Moru-Madi on existing maps. Moru-Madi, however, is a pleonasm, for Madi is merely the name given to the Moru by the Lori, and is an appellation rejected by that tribe.

Marching at this time of the year is rather unpleasant, as strong northerly winds whirl up the vegetable ashes, which almost blinded us. Proceeding at a fair rate, we soon passed Jebel Riku, an isolated mountain, and reached Neunyi, the inhabitants of which had been frightened by a steppe-fire, which destroyed their huts and laid waste their fields. Scarcely had we reached Mollo, when we were compelled to halt, for the country all round us was ablaze, and the heat most oppressive.

Khor Gullo, fringed by fruit-laden doléb palms, flows past this village. It had shrunk into an insignificant swamp, crossing which we made for the hills, which vividly reminded us of the vicinity of Mvolo, presenting as they did a combination of bare rocks and palm-trees. As we went on, the country grew more rocky and desolate, and euphorbias once: more made their appearance. ‘he huts of the village of Yere are built in the Mort and Kedert style, being low, with dome-shaped roofs,