Chapter VI. 



kindle as tinder. It niio-ht i)erfectly well be set a])laze merely 

 tlaouoli the heat developed iu fermentation, which must be 

 especially active and energetic in this climate. The fact is 

 interesting were it only to sliow 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 cjuite impossible tliat they 

 sliould provoke a conflagration. Between the Ijlackened 

 skeletons, striplings were already shooting up to replace the 

 ruined forest. 



The party 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 pt)int ran due north and south, 

 here turns abruptly to the west, becoming so narrow that the 

 lakelet fills the whole bottom, whicli 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 flying 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 

 everyone to dry his garments around a big fire. 



In the clear fine aftei-noon the little lake, barely ruffled by 

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

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

 the fatigue of the hard day. The sun went down Ijehind a 

 dense layer of clouds, which lay aci'oss the skv to the westwaixl. 



172 



