Chapter I. 



Tims it came about that the estimated altitude of the 

 hio'hest })eaks varied between 15,000 and above 18,000 feet. 

 The only trustworthy measurement was that deri\ed Irom 

 triano'ulation a])pHed to the peak which appeared to be tlie 

 hio'hest. The triaut^ulation was taken from various points to 

 the south-east of this peak by Lieutenant Behrens of the Angio- 

 German Bouiidarv ( 'oiiiniission. The calculations based upon 

 this triaiigiilatioii gave a heiglit of 16,757 feet. ( \)lonel C 

 Delme Radclitfe, however, who was at the head of this (Com- 

 mission, noted the possibility of higher peaks existing further 

 northwaid and not visible fi'om the point of observation. 



The chain of ivuwenzori, without doubt the most important 

 group of mountains and glaciers in Africa, and the one mystery 

 still imexplored with regard to the question of the sources of 

 the Nile, promised a fertile field for research. The arduous 

 character of the midertakino- and the imcertaintv as to what 

 obstacles might be encountered were calculated rather to 

 attract than to dissuade so ardent an explorer and so keen a 

 climber as H.K.H. the Duke of tlie Abruzzi. 



24 



