The Eastern Congo 



growths, intermixed with small heather bushes [Ericacece) 

 taking the place of the tall fern-hung forest trees. This 

 giant heather became more frequent and sturdier the higher 

 we ascended and, together with senecios and a few other 

 growths, presently entirely replaced the lower vegetation 

 excepting the mosses and ground plants. 



It now being late in the afternoon and having reached a 

 mossy ledge bordering the barren lava summit, we pitched 

 our tents, both ourselves and the porters setting about the 

 job of making all snug against a cold night. j 



The ascent of this volcano is not difficult in fine weather, t 



but as heavy mists, storms, and blizzards are frequent and 

 sudden, there is the danger that some of one's porters might 

 succumb to exposure and cold, or the possibility that one 

 might get lost oneself in a thick mist. To accentuate the 

 fact, a violent thunderstorm drifted over our little camp 

 shortly before sundown without warning and coming from 

 nowhere in particular. For fully half an hour a deluge of 

 icy rain beat upon us, bringing the thermometer with a 

 bound down to freezing point, our breath showing up white 

 even in our tents. The storm dropped away, however, as 

 suddenly as it came, leaving a clear, star-lit sky, cut across 

 by the gleaming dome of the Ninagongo crater close above 

 us and giving the promise of a fine night. This passed un- 

 eventfully, the stillness however, being broken by several 

 terrific " hee-haws " from Commandant Hollant's donkey at 

 intervals in the course of the night, and a few answering 

 moans from an old lion far away in the forest below. 



Rising at 4.30 the following morning, and after partaking 

 of some hot wine (sweetened and spiced, this is an ideal 

 stimulant on such occasions) and sandwiches, we dug out a 



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