256 
TRAVELS IN AFRICA. 
Chap. XLV. 
versed the flat alluvial plains of Bornu and Miisgu, to 
find ourselves once more opposite to some elevation of 
even a moderate altitude. These eminences assumed a 
very picturesque appearance. The valley between the 
two rocky mountains where we were encamped was 
rather bare of trees ; but there were some beautiful 
wild fig-trees at the north-eastern foot of the western 
eminence, where a pond was formed in a deep hollow. 
To this spot I turned my steps immediately after our 
arrival, before the camels had joined us, and spent 
here a delightful hour, all the horses belonging to the 
army being brought here to be watered, and forming 
a varied and highly interesting scene, with the rich 
verdure of the trees around and the steep rocky 
cliffs above them, while fresh parties were continually 
arriving from the camp. 
Having made a sketch of this locality, which is 
represented in the accompanying plate, I went to join 
my companion, and we decided upon ascending the 
more elevated of the two eminences ; but having at- 
tained to the height of some hundred feet, I felt quite 
exhausted, especially as I had a severe cold, and gave 
it up ; but Mr. Overweg ascended to the top, which 
rises to about 700 feet above the plain.* These rocky 
mounts abound with a species of black monkey, while 
even beasts of prey generally have their haunts here. 
The crevices formed by the granite blocks are adorned 
* Mr. Vogel, who likewise visited this spot in 1854, found the 
plain elevated 920 feet above the level of the sea,' while the two 
mounts attained the respective heights of 1300 and 1600 feet. 
