The Eastern Congo 



behind at the Mission I was soon on my way, accompanied 

 by twelve local carriers. 



After some hours I found myself climbing a stiff ascent 

 to the summit of the watershed, along the ridge of which 

 could be discerned the outskirts of the dense forest for 

 which I was making. 



Shortly after picking up the three Batwa guides we arrived, 

 very short of wind, at the end of a sharp, bush-clad ridge ; 

 following this along, it presently brought us to a suitable 

 camping place on the edge of the Kasiba Forest, and over- 

 looking Lake Kivu. I contented myself for the rest of the 

 day, after my tent was jpitched, by collecting butterflies 

 along the icy-cold stream near by. 



Partly owing to the fairy-like meadows that are to be 

 found there, this mountain forest proved to be the most 

 beautiful I had ever visited. The reaches of feathery bamboo, 

 the giant fern-hung trees, the open glades covered with the 

 purple veronica and tall lobelia — these alone repay a visit. 

 Hunting in it, however, by reason of its steep declivities 

 and thick undergrowth, is excessively tedious as I very soon 

 found out. If I was to get a chimpanzi it was going to be 

 a tough job. 



The first day I drew a blank at all events, but had the 

 satisfaction of hearing their calls for the first time. One 

 call they make resembles that of the African hunting dog 

 (lycaon) — or for those who do not know Africa, let us say 

 a lost dog. It can be heard a long distance. The other 

 cries are typical monkey noises, though louder, and are 

 made when squabbling amongst themselves. 



The following day my luck, so far as the apes were con- 

 cerned, was no better, although it led me to the discovery 



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