AN EXPEDITION TO MOUNT KINA BALU. 61 



Kampil, about 2000' high. Being* covered with grass only, 

 this hill was exposed to the full glare of the sun. However, I 

 decided to push on to our next stopping place, Bungol, rather 

 than return to Koung, but progress was exceedingly slow, as 

 after every twenty yards or so of climbing I had to rest. After 

 an hour's time I took a tin of Brand's Essence of Beef, and in 

 another hour a cocktail, and, with the help of a man in front of 

 me, who pulled me up with his stick, I progressed better. The 

 men were most patient aud stopped every time with me. At 

 about 2 o'clock the sky darkened, affording at least some protec- 

 tion against the burning sun, and finally the usual thunderstorm 

 broke forth, but with abnormal violence. Still climbing and quite 

 drenched, we reached a little broken-down shed where some of 

 the men, with most of my private luggage and the tent, were 

 awaiting me. Most of the party, however, including Malagup, 

 had gone on to Bungol. Here I partook of more refreshment, 

 and feeling very much better by this and probably also by 

 the cooling rain, I, after a little rest, astonished and amused my 

 men by shouting out ' lakas, lakas' when they were taking up their 

 things at 4.15 p.m. The ascent continued, so did the pouring 

 rain, and finally, near the top of the mountain, we entered thick 

 jungle. Lightning and thunderclaps were now frequent, and 

 were greeted with yells by the men. Now began a slow descent 

 along a clayey and deeply worn jungle path which in many places 

 was transformed into a yellow stream. About 6 p.m. the rain 

 ceased, and we approached the River Menternan with many mis- 

 givings. I knew it had to be forded before reaching Bungol, 

 and when we arrived on the bank at 6.15 p.m., I was not surpris- 

 ed to find it a roaring yellow torrent, impossible to cross. But 

 we had some hope, as from the marks along the bank we saw 

 that it was going down rapidly after the heavy thunderstorm. 

 So we decided to wait a little, I trying to keep myself warm by 

 walking about. It got dark now and I lit the stump of a can- 

 dle which I found in my portmanteau, and the men made long, 

 but fruitless efforts to light a fire. Two or three of our most 

 plucky men were daring enough to cross the river in order to 

 go to Bungol for help and a lamp, but they did not return. 

 Waiting and shivering with cold, we stood about till 8. p.m., 

 when I decided to stay where I was and fix up my tent. I put 



