The Eastern Congo 



speak. No sooner had we arrived at one place — which had 

 been our goal for some weeks and the name of which had 

 entered daily into our conversation — than we began to think 

 and speak about our next centre or stopping-place. At first 

 it was the Lualaba River, then Tanganjdka, then Lake Kivu 

 and so now our minds began to " crystallize " on the Moun- 

 tains of the Moon — the turning point of our long march. 



It was said that from near the Government station of 

 Ruchuru, these great mountains could be seen over a hundred 

 miles away. This Belgian Post, which we were now approach- 

 ing, stands on the river of the same name, at an elevation 

 of 4,150 feet above sea level, and about midway between 

 Lakes Kivu and Edward. It is the administrative head- 

 quarters of the Kivu district and is connected by a track 

 over the border with Kabare, in the Kigezi district of Uganda, 

 but at this time the border was " closed " on account of 

 rinderpest, and only mails were allowed across. There 

 were ten or a dozen Government officials, including a customs 

 officer, also a branch of the Banque du Congo Beige. 



We reached the place early in November, and although 

 the site of the township is a good one and commands a fiue 

 view of the splendid Kasali mountains across the Ruchuru 

 valley, we did not find it healthy, and, in fact, felt ill and 

 feverish during the period of our stay there. I found it 

 necessary to remain nine days, to enable the special messenger, 

 despatched by the Administrateur, to reach Kasindi at the 

 north end of Lake Edward, and to bring back, with a suitable 

 crew, a steel barge or baleiniere Ipng there. By the kindness 

 of the Administrateur, Monsieur Vanderghorte, this was put 

 at our disposal to take us up the lake, for on inquiry I was 

 informed that the overland journey along the west side of 



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