From Fort Portal to Bujongolo—Mobuku Valley. 
the disposition of the natives, who were known to be frequently 
hostile and turbulent in the Congo District. 
Of the two alternatives the latter seemed certainly to offer 
the more serious risks. The Duke of the Abruzzi decided 
MARKET, FORT PORTAL. 
therefore to follow the more direct and shorter route, ascending 
the Mobuku Valley and arriving comparatively quickly among 
the high mountains, where it would be possible to obtain data 
for forming a decision as to the future route. 
The two days at Fort Portal had been days of complete 
idleness for the native porters, and had been sufficient to 
undermine and break up the discipline to which they had 
become accustomed during their two weeks of steady work. 
When the drum and the trumpets sounded the reveille at 
4.30 a.m., June 1st, not one of the whole troop was ready. 
Boys and porters dropped in late, one by one, and it took 
over two hours to get the caravan into marching order. At 
103 
