Chapter VI. 



liad nnivcd at Rujongolo (in tlie IHtli, and Dr. ( 'avalli joined 

 tlicir CDniradcs on tlip col. 



Uii the IDtli, ( 'agni and Cavalli with their caravan of porters 

 descended toward the little lakes to the west of Kiyanja. The 

 morning was clear, and the view was open to the westward as 

 far as beyond the Seniliki valley over the forests of the Congo. 

 Sella and Koccati, accordingly, tinned their steps to the 

 ni<nnitains to the sontli of the jiass with the })hotographic 

 apparatns. 



We have already said that tliis is an impoi'tant group of 

 mountains witli various distinct peaks, between which are small 

 glaciers. The weather, however, sjjoiled rapidly, and drifts 

 of vapom-. driven by the wind from the east, enveloped the 

 hiiilier ridyes. Thev took advantage of l)rief clearin&s in the 

 mist to clind) the north-east point of the group, which they 

 reached after three hoiu's of ascent, partly over rocks and partly 

 upon the easy glacier to the west. They remained upon this 

 peak until four in tlie afternoon, and were several times beguiled 

 by apparent meltings of the fog into setting up the photogi"aphic 

 apparatus. Night sm'prised them on their way down into the 

 valley to rejoin their comrades. They lost the track and 

 wandered about upon the steep slope in the foi'est of lobelia and 

 senecio, among the dense heliclu-ysum, seeking for a way in tlie 

 darkness intensified by the mist, and slijaping at every step in 

 the mud and on the damp and mossy rocks. At last their 

 conu'ades heard their shouts and sent two guides to meet them 

 with a lantern. They soon I'eached the camp near the lake, 

 surromided by the fires of the natives. 



( )n the following day they all reached the foin-th camp, from 

 which they were able to descry the Duke's party on tlie sky 

 line on tlie summit of Savoia Peak. 



192 



