The Eastern Congo 



kind of gateway on to the original crater-floor where lies a 

 circular shallow pool some hundred yards in diameter. As 

 verdure of all shades surmounts the encirling walls of this 

 miniature lake right down to the water's edge, where red, 

 white and black cattle are to be seen standing at ease and 

 mirrored in its depth — the scene is worth more than this poor 

 pen-picture : is indeed worthy the canvas of a great painter. 



From my guide I now began to hear tales of the gorillas, 

 the Ngege as the natives call them hereabouts ; in fact six 

 weeks ago two brothers named Foster had shot two, and 

 caught a young one, in the bamboo forest higher up on Mikeno, 

 directly above this small pool. From my guide's description 

 and judging by the fact that he was able to differentiate 

 between what he called the Impundu (the chimpanzi) and 

 the Ngege (the gorilla), it was evident I was within measurable 

 distance of seeing and perhaps shooting a specimen of this 

 animal : the largest species of man-ape that walks the earth 

 to-day. 



What with rain and cold, bad and grumbling porters, 

 lack of food and suitable guides, I had begun to wonder if 

 the climbing of these volcanoes was worth the candle, but 

 the news concerning the gorillas and the arrival of a quantity 

 of food putting everyone in a good humour, things took a turn 

 for the better, and I decided to start for the higher regions 

 on the following morning. This was the seventh day out 

 from Kisenji and it broke fine and sunny, showing up the 

 magnificent scenery that had been hidden for so long and leav- 

 ing the twin peaks above us, clear, snow-capped and gloriously 

 beautiful. So with the sunshine our troubles were forgotten, 

 each man shouldering his load with a light heart and full 

 tummy, and stepping out with a will for gorilla land. 



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