Cha|)ter V. 



ring of deep luud wliicli turned the camp into a clo.se prison. 

 Squatting between four boulders, hedged about by the cases 

 of rations, the kitchen implements, the fire, and the tent, he 

 had far less chance of exercise than during tlie polar winter 

 wliicli he had spent in Teplitz Bay, where lie was forced to 

 go half a mile to fetch tlie meat of some bear himg up l)y 

 the ship, or had to work to disinter the cases of rations, or 

 help to run after tlie dogs. 



The daily visits of a big leopard, whose den was situated 

 mider the heath forest in the neighbourhood of the camp, did 

 not contribute to render the sojourn at Bujongolo pleasant. 

 This leopard was observed for the first time, on the lltli of 

 June, by a native, not far from the tent devoiu-ing two sheep 

 belonging to the expedition. On the following night he prowled 

 around the camp. On the evening of the 12th, the Duke, who 

 was absorbed in writing at the opening of liis tent, saw him 

 only a few paces off. The annual fled as soon as he stood up, 

 but his boldness gave cause to fear for the porters who slept 

 unpi'otected, or for those who went to fetch water for the 

 camp. In vain were the surroundings examined and beaten ; 

 the animal seemed very cunning, and when hunted never 

 allowed himself to be seen. 



On the evening of the 13th, the weather had shown a 

 tendency to improve, but during the night grew worse again. 

 On the evening of the lith, however, it seemed really to clear. 

 The sky became free from clouds, the last traces of mist melted 

 away, and all tbe mountains came into sight covered far 

 down with the fresh snow which had fallen duringf the last 

 days. The intolerable imprisonment was finally coming to an 

 end, and the Duke made preparations to start out on the 

 following morning to explore the central group of the chain. 



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