From Fort Portal to lUijongolo — Mobukii Valley. 



the disposition of the natives, who were known to l)e fre([npntly 

 hostile and turbulent in the Congo District. 



Of" the two alternatives the latter seemed certainly ti> ofi'er 

 the more serious risks. The Duke of the Abruzzi decided 



JIAUKKT, FORT PORTAl,. 



therefore to follow the more direct and shorter loute, ascending' 

 tJie Mobuku Vallev and arri\iug comparatively quickly among 

 tlie liigh mountains, where it would be possible to obtain data 

 for forming a decision as to the futmv route. 



The two davs at P\)rt Portal liad hern davs of complete 

 idleness for the nati\e porters, and liad been suthcient to 

 undermine and V)reak up the discipliuc to which thev had 

 become accustomed during their two weeks of steady work. 

 When the drum and tin- trumjiets soiuidt'd the reveille at 

 4.30 a.m., June 1st, not one of the whole troop was ready. 

 Boys antl porters dropped in late, one by one, and it took 

 over two hours to get the caravan into marching order. At 



103 



