3.'38 Mr. Boyd Alexander on the 



native clogs, the other rapidly scales the tree and shakes the 

 dassie's home violently. The poor dassie falls with a great 

 thud to the ground beneath and attempts to run, but the 

 dogs keep it at bay and the next moment it is quickly 

 dispatched with the cutlass. Our two hunters killed no 

 less than thirteen of these animals in one morning on our 

 way up the mountain. 



On November 25th my second attempt to ascend the Peak 

 was commenced. Six men preceded the column as pioneers 

 to cut the road. Our loads had to be greatly reduced in 

 weight, while ten carriers were told off to carry large rum- 

 jars full of water. A heavy mist hung round everything. It 

 did not take long to become drenched with moisture as we 

 brushed past and fought our way through the thick forest- 

 growth wringing with wet. Our progress was tedious. The 

 Boobie-track, little frequented but by hunters, was much 

 overgrown, and the axe had constantly to be used. In many 

 places the path led through tunnels in impenetrable thickets, 

 which it was hopeless to try to cut away, and we had to crawl 

 through on our hands and feet, the loads being passed on 

 from one carrier to another. From time to time heavy mists 

 swept over us. The daylight was obscured, the dreary 

 twilight of the forest became more dreary than ever, and all 

 the birds were silent. After a climb of nearly seven hours 

 we reached a small hunter's hut, at an altitude of about 

 3200 feet, which we made our base-camp. My carriers were 

 thoroughly exhausted, and I found that a day's rest was 

 necessary before continuing the ascent. This gave me an 

 opportunity of making further collections. From this camp 

 the ascent became so steep and rough that all loads of over 

 20 lbs. had to be discarded and our tents abandoned. 

 Water, too, was no longer obtainable, and every drop had to 

 be carried with us. At night our only shelter was a roughly- 

 made roof of leaves. At a height of 6000 feet the kola-nut 

 tree and the rubber-vine flourished, and the carriers, now 

 short of rations, gathered the nuts with avidity. Many 

 species of orchids and mountain-ferns grew in abuudance on 

 the sheltered slopes. As we ascended, the air became clearer. 



