Chapter VI. 



kindle as tinder. It might perfectly well be set ablaze merely 

 through the heat developed in fermentation, which must be 

 especially active and energetic in this climate. The fact is 

 interestino- were it only to show that there must be occasional 

 dry spells of sufficient length to allow of the dead leaves getting 

 dry to a certain extent, for in the soaked state in which they 

 are usually found, it would seem quite impossible that they 

 sljould provoke a conflagration. Between the blackened 

 skeletons, striplings were already shooting up to replace the 

 ruiiied forest. 



The partv reached the shore of the first lake towards 

 four o'clock. It was plainly impossible to oblige the porters 

 to proceed on that day. The Duke decided to encamp upon a 

 spur which runs out into the lake, and is about 90 feet high. 

 The level above the sea was 13,271 feet; 810 feet above the 

 camp of Bujongolo. 



The valley, which up to this point ran due north and south, 

 here tin-ns al)ruptly to the west, becoming so narrow tliat the 

 lakelet fills tlie ^^•hole bottom, which forms a sort of oval basin 

 resembling a crater at first sioht. A few ducks wander 

 over the water. There were traces of leopards and marmots, 

 and a few crows were flving overhead. There was no other 

 sign of animal life. A little torrent, falling down from the 

 glaciers of Kiyanja, gave abundance of water. There was 

 plenty of wood within reach, and it was soon possible for 

 evervone to di-v liis irarments around a in^r fire. 



In tlie clear fine afternoon the little lake, barely ruffled by 

 the breeze, reflected the snowy peaks. Tlie valley was one 

 mass of flowers, and in this peaceful scene they soon forgot 

 the fatigue of tlie hai'd (lav. Tlic sun went down l)ehind a 

 dense layer of clouds, which lav across the skv to the westward. 



172 



