A MOUNTAIN SPRING 



L91 



streaks of dawn we sprang up, rushed out and roused our 

 men, for there was Kibo standing out clear and bright against 

 the sky. 



The ascent of Kilimanjaro is, of course, made from the 

 saddle connecting the two peaks. The ridge on which we had 

 camped was bounded on either side by brooks flowing through 

 deep, and here and there, ravine-like beds. As far as we could 

 make out, this ridge ran straight along the middle of the saddle, 

 so that we could not miss our wav even if the fog gathered 

 again. We started with fifteen Sw^ahili carrying our instru- 

 ments, two little mountain tents, rugs, and provisions. The fog 

 came on again and again, but was always dispersed by the sun. 

 At nine o'clock we had reached an altitude of 10,897 feet, 

 and our men already showed signs of fatigue, though none 

 of the loads exceeded 44 lb. in weight ; so we halted for a 

 short rest. For a little further distance the ridge gradually 

 increased in height, but became rapidly narrower. At a height 

 of 11,460 feet the width was only a little over 328 feet ; at 

 12,640 feet the ravine on the right side came to an end, andw r e 

 found ourselves standing by the source of the stream by which 

 we had camped. Although there was thin ice round the edges 

 of this spring, the immediate neighbourhood was covered with 

 luxuriant green turf. Here, too, were a few remarkable 

 specimens of the Senecio, looking from the distance like 

 tables covered with flowers. These were the last specimens of 

 Senecio we saw. At a quarter to twelve we were at the source 

 of the stream on our left, at a height of 13,230 feet. The water 

 murmured underneath a springy bed of turf several inches thick, 

 and so close and firm that we could stand upon it. Here lived 

 many water-rats, and we could see them happily swimming 

 about, but w^e could not catch any. There was a good deal of 

 ice about this spring also, although the temperature of the 

 water was + 7° Centigrade. The path now led rapidly to the 



