2o6 In the Heart of Africa 



His trusty Askari saved him from his critical position by firing 

 a volley into the creature whilst it hung almost over his body. 

 Under the skill and careful nursing of Dr. Mortula the two 

 invalids gradually recovered, but it was quite impossible for 

 them to participate further in the expedition. Accompanied by 

 the doctor, they started on their return to Europe, taking short 

 marches to Entebbe. In spite of his awkward position, lying 

 in a hammock, Weiss contrived to carry out the survey of the 

 road as far as Entebbe. 



We now returned by a circuitous route to Beni, where nearly 

 all the Europeans were lying sick. Fever and other disorders 

 had broken out. The non-appearance of the expected rain had 

 a depressing effect, and made the temperature rise to 30 deg. C. 

 in the shade. This heat enervated the patients still further. 



Rain was badly required, for its shortage in the previous year 

 had brought about a failure of the harvest and resulted in a 

 famine. The banana fields yielded no results and the potatoes 

 dried up. At the finish the people had to suck bananas in order 

 to alleviate the cravings of extreme thirst. A similar condition 

 of affairs now menaced. 



We only stayed a few days at Beni, and then set out for 

 the western slope of the mighty mountain chain of Ruwenzori. 

 On the way we passed broad banana fields, where bird life was 

 so plentiful that we hurriedly pitched camp, so as to seize such 

 a favourable opportunity for collecting. Great hornbills be- 

 stirred themselves close to tiny summer birds, weaver birds, 

 " kasukus," and grey parrots, whilst innumerable gaily-feathered 

 singers flitted through the air. Our zeal for collecting was, 

 however, soon arrested by a pelting downpour of rain, which 

 converted the ground almost immediately into torrential brooks 

 or morasses. Although the natives greeted this with joy, we 

 ourselves found it very disagreeable, as the loamy soil promised 

 us an exceedingly arduous march on the slopes of Ruwenzori. 

 Our fear that this downpour was the forerunner of the February 

 rainy season proved correct, and the conditions of our march 

 were essentially unpleasant. In addition to the slippery path, 



