TO THE CAMEROON MOUNTAINS. 7 
proaching, and saw the prineipal men very busy in performing 
certain ceremonies to ward off bad luck. These consisted, first, in 
pouring water over a small broom on a stone in the middle of the 
village, and repeating this ceremony on all the roads that Jed out 
of the village. The strangers soon appeared, and I was delighted 
to see not only Consul Burton, but also Mr. Saker and Signor 
Calvo, the Judge of Fernando Po. 
The two following days were consumed in altercations with the 
natives, and it was not until the morning of the 22nd that we were 
able to start for the spring previously mentioned, where we in- 
tended to leave a great part of our things concealed. Halfway 
across the lava-stream, Consul Burton pointed out to us a place 
where, with little labour, water might be found in case of need: 
this we distinguished as “ Burton’s well." 
When we arrived at the foot of the first crater, finding it im- 
possible to proceed further, we determined to encamp for the 
night. As we had suffered all day from the want of water, which 
prevented many of our people from travelling so quickly as our- 
selves, and we had no hope of their reaching the crater before 
night, I and some of our attendants went to fetch water; and on 
returning soon after sunset, found that half of the people had not 
yet reached the place. 
After a cold night, which we passed wrapped in our clothes 
upon the ashes, at 4 a.m. we sent some of our peuple again for 
water; and on their return, all present were despatched to the 
spring with our baggage, and desired to prepare a sleeping-place. 
We ourselves waited till 2 p.m. for those who were still missing ; 
but as they had not then arrived, we left the place, leaving behind 
one man with a supply of water for them. We reached the ren- 
dezvous in a quarter of an hour, and the rest of the people arrived 
at 5 P.M. : 
On the morning of the 24th we made an excursion to the 
mountain where I had left my thermometer, and found the read- 
ing to be, max. 714, min. 391. This mountain was named by Mr. 
Saker “ Mount Helen.” (Alt. 9450 ft.) 
We had splendid weather; and a wonderful panoramic view 
Spread around us—the principal mountain presenting two con- 
spicuous summits, which we named “ Mount Victoria” and 
“ Mount Albert." After Consul Burton and Mr. Saker had made 
their geographical observations, we commenced the descent shortly 
before noon. During the day I felt very unwell; and as soon as 
we had returned to our camping-place, and I had put my plants 
