Chapter I. 



Tims it came alxmt that tlie estimated altitude of the 

 hiij-hest peaks varied hetweeii 15,000 and ahove 18,000 feet. 

 The only tnistworthv measurement was that derixed tVdm 

 triangulatiou applied to the peak which appeared to l)e the 

 highest. The triangulatiou was taken from various points to 

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

 Gei-man Boundary Conunission. The calculations based upon 

 this triangulatiou gave a height of 16,757 feet. Colonel C. 

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

 mission, noted the po.ssibility of higher peaks existing further 

 northward and not visible from the point of observation. 



The chain of Ruwenzori, without doubt the most important 

 grovip of mountanis and glaciers in Africa, and the one mystery 

 still unexplored with regard to the question of the sources of 

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

 character of the undertaking 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.R.H. the Duke of the Abruzzi. 



24 



