40 In the Heart of Africa 



and causes them to swell up, frequently to an extraordinary extent. 

 We saw skin puffings on the foreheads of the Bangala, the chief 

 race of the middle Congo territory, swollen up to about two centi- 

 metres. Countless variations may be found, among which the 

 half-moon shape occurs most frequently. 



An immense mail was waiting for me, so that Wiese and I 

 found our hands very full. First of all fresh plans had to be 

 discussed. To Weiss and Kirschstein, who were once again in 

 company, was forwarded detailed information as to our inten- 

 tions and the road to be followed. To West Mohasi was sent 

 tidings of our arrival. A letter from Captain von Grawert was 

 sent on to Niansa, and soon the Askari postmen-patrols were 

 flying about in all directions. We remained two full days in 

 our tents busied with clerical work. The nomads had turned 

 into settlers. 



Wintgens having set out the day before for the west end of 

 the lake, Wiese and I followed on the 30th. At first we journeyed 

 over fairly easy paths leading alongside hills or across them ; 

 now and again we were afforded a view of that long, narrow 

 mirror. Lake Mohasi. Then the way lost itself in deep ravines 

 or over high summits, which tried the powers of the load carriers 

 most heavily. Several watercourses passed on the way offered 

 refreshing draughts to our exhausted men. We descended at 

 an early stage from the backs of our mules, which constantly 

 touched the ground with their knees in the steep ascents. Many 

 of the carriers, too, lost control of their powers ; some threw 

 down their loads and sank exhausted to the ground. In addition, 

 Lieutenant von Wiese's health during the past few days had not 

 been all that could be desired. The consequences of a heavy cold, 

 accompanied by feverish symptoms, now made themselves felt, 

 so that the poor fellow suffered severely. This state of affairs 

 continued for two days through a fairly well populated country 

 until, at a sharp bend of the road, the mirror of the lake suddenly 

 became visible. Immediately afterwards we sighted the camp, 

 which was in a state of some commotion at the news of our 

 arrival. 



