Chapter X. 



On the following day they were able to approach much 

 nearer. Here a disappointment awaited Sella, for the monolith 

 proved to be a very commonplace pinnacle of rock which had 

 received from its isolated position on a ridge an appearance 

 of being much more grand than was actually the case. He 

 came back to Camp IX by night, a few hours later than 

 the Duke. 



On the 17th they proceeded to descend the valley under 

 a clouded sky but without rain or fog. They crossed the 



IBANDA. 



terrace which forms the meeting point of the Bujuku, Migusi 

 and Kurungu Valleys. This is probably an ancient lake 

 bottom, and is now completely covered with reeds. They 

 skirted its left slope on uneven ground scattered with little 

 grassy hillocks. They now reached the third rise followed 

 by a long gorge running between the two South Portals. 



274 



