234 In the Heart of Africa 



had to be carefully examined, disputes settled, and the men con- 

 vinced that everything- was just and in order ; further, each 

 man had to receive his travelling " posko " (food-money) in ready- 

 money, for the purchase of stores for the return journey to his 

 native place. 



After having received a handshake as a farewell from each 

 one of us, they marched away homeward bound in detachments, 

 each under its particular head-man. It was with a feeling of 

 regret that we saw them leave us, after having shared our 

 pleasures and trials for nearly a year. Through good and bad 

 days, in the heat of the steppes and in the icy breath of the 

 snow-capped volcanoes, they had fulfilled their duty loyally, 

 like tried and trusty men. We dismissed them here in order that 

 they should be spared the long return journey from Avakubi, 

 some thirty days' march farther ahead. Till then we contented 

 ourselves with carriers from the Congo territory. The march was 

 to terminate at Avakubi, as we intended continuing our journey 

 from there to the Congo by native canoes upon the great tribu- 

 tary, the Aruwimi. The troops of the expedition were to escort 

 us through the forest until we reached the river. 



Czekanowski arrived on the 27th, after his wanderings, which 

 had led him as far as the Uelle. He had endured a good deal in 

 consequence of the violent rains, from which we had, fortunately, 

 been spared from the time that we quitted the neighbourhood of 

 Ruwenzori. 



In Irumu, however, we prepared to encounter a third rainy 

 period, the advent of which was expected daily ; and, in fact, in 

 the evenings we saw the clouds gathering threateningly together, 

 accompanied by sheet-lightning in the distance. A little later 

 showers set in daily. They announced their arrivel by violent 

 winds of sweeping force. On the afternoon of the 30th March 

 the south-western heavens grew coal-black. The heavy rain 

 advanced towards us in an opaque steel-blue mass, sharply 

 defined at its sides. At one kilometre's distance from the station 

 it was pouring down in torrents. Thus we were able to observe 

 all the phases of this vivid spectacle of Nature without being 



