Chapter IV. 



patches of moss. In the bottom of the valley the soft, thick, 

 mossy carpet was sti-e\\u witli violets and forget-me-nots, which 

 startle tiie European traveller by the unexpected familiarity of 

 their appearance. 



The dav was fine, and the Duke of the Abruzzi was far 

 too impatient to consent to stop at Buamba, close to the end 

 of the valley, nearly in sight of Bujongolo. They snatched a 

 morsel in haste, and started once more across the flowery 

 plateau in full si<;lit of a graceful waterfidl, framed in foliage 

 and flo\\ers, falling from a steep point on the right side of the 



valley. 



The ^^•av proceeded for a certain distance upon the left side 

 of the Mobuku, and then crossed again to the right at the foot 

 of the last rise. The valley is full of traces of the former 

 passage of glaciers, the rocks are worn smootli and streaked ; 

 there are moraine piles, boulders, etc., etc. 



( )ne last climb up a steep slo})e sonu^ GUI) feet high, over 

 mud and stone, brings the expedition to the right side of the 

 vallev, where a hea|) of blocks, surrounded l)y tree heaths, 

 are overliunir 1)V a liiiih rock which forms a shelter. This is 

 Bujongolo, a veritaljle eyrie, at a height of 12,4G1 feet, and 

 2,528 feet above Kichuchu. 



The Prince and his companions reached this point about two 

 in the afternoon, leaving the caravan of porters far behind. 

 Most of the latter had stopped at the Buamba shelter, and only 

 a few with a small number of parcels j-ejoiiied the expedition 

 that evening. 



The place was rough and wild. A cold and biting wind 

 blew oil* the o-lacier, and suo-g-ested surroundiniis verv different 

 fiom those usuallv associated with Ecjuatorial Africa. 



The members of tlie expedition were full of exciteiuent and 



