Bujiiku Valley. — lìeturn of the Expedition. 



form the origin of the Victoria Nile. Here they made an 

 excursion in long native canoes upon the dark green waters of 

 the river swarming with birds. On the 24th they reached 

 Port Florence, and left the same day by train. 



On the 28th of August the Italian expedition left African 

 soil upon the steamer Natal of the French Messageries. 



Five months later, before a largely attended meeting of 

 the Koyal Geographical Society, honoured by the presence of 

 H.M. King Edward VII., H.R.H. the Duke of the Abruzzi 

 gave an account of his discoveries, demonstrating that he had 



HEAD OF THE VICTORIA NILE. 



brought about the realization of the wish expressed five years 

 before by Sir Henry M. Stanley before the same Society : " The 

 dear wish that some person devoted to his work, some lover of 

 Alpine climbing, would take Ruwenzori in hand and make a 

 thorough work of it, explore it from top to bottom, through all 

 those enormous defiles and those deep gorges." 



Alas ! the great explorer died two years and a-half ago, and 

 never saw his wish fulfilled. 



>85 



