Lake Kivu 



there at midday were again welcomed by these jovial priests. 



We were now at a most interesting stage of our journey, 

 for this region, lying as it does midway between the Belgian 

 and late German spheres, has a little-known fauna and flora, 

 and much remains to be learnt concerning its topography ; 

 the last British scientific expedition of any note to reach 

 this district was the Tanganyika Expedition of twenty years 

 ago, under Mr. J. E. S. Moore, resulting in the two publica- 

 tions previously mentioned in this book. True, other 

 travellers, Uke Sir Alfred Sharpe, have since passed through 

 it but have written little or nothing concerning its more 

 recent developments. Knowing this and although badly 

 equipped for any pursuit other than that of entomology and 

 photography, I was intensely interested in this region and 

 determined to find out all I could about it in the time at 

 my disposal. 



The panorama to be seen from Njundo Mission, although 

 not to be compared in scenic effect with that obtained from 

 Rwaza or Ruchuru, is, however, very interesting as it in- 

 cludes the lake. The two great cones of Mikeno and Karisimbi, 

 and Ninagongo with its shapely outline, being near to the 

 spectator, stand out ominous and threatening. The cloud 

 effects too, over the two active volcanoes of Ninagongo 

 and Namlagira, are unsurpassable as seen from this 

 Mission. 



We spent three pleasant days with the Fathers. To look 

 out from their veranda across the vast amphitheatre of 

 lava-plain to the ever-changing effects of light and shade 

 on the volcanoes beyond, was a never-ending source of delight 

 to both of us. Our friends the White Fathers entertained 

 us with many tales of the district ; of the cruel doings of 



53 



