The Eastern Congo 



floor, the formation resembling that of the Ruindi Plains. 

 After getting our loads across with the help of the one available 

 canoe, we camped on the west bank of the river, some twelve 

 miles below the lake mouth ; the site selected for our camp 

 commanding an extensive broadside view of the Ruwenzori 

 mountain range, should it condescend to show itself. In 

 the evening I took my rifle and went for a stroll in search 

 of a kob antelope, and having stalked and shot one I turned 

 to look for my natives who were behind to give them instruc- 

 tions about bringing it into camp, when my attention was 

 caught and riveted by the enchanting picture, suddenly 

 revealed for the first time, of the snow-capped summits of 

 Ruwenzori, glistening white and ethereal high up in the 

 eastern skies. A clear view of the line of snow-peaks and 

 glaciers that form the summit of these mountains is a com- 

 paratively raie occurrence, and as the range rises on the 

 western side almost sheer from the level of the Semliki 

 valley, the spectator is somewhat taken aback by his first 

 view of them and the astonishing height to which they 

 reach. After my return to camp, however, this feast 

 of mountain scenery did not remain long to gladden 

 the eye, for the peaks were soon again wrapped in mist, 

 leaving as before, only the lower ranges exposed to 

 view. 



At this camp, as on the Ruindi plains, the night was 

 enlivened at intervals by the prolonged chorus of lions, a 

 sound of which we never tired, and coming as it did on this 

 occasion from the direction that I had decided to take on 

 the morrow, it promised an interesting day. 



The following morning our course for the first six miles 

 took us south up the west bank of the Semliki, and although 



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