Chapter VI. 
kindle as tinder. It might perfectly well be set ablaze merely 
through the heat developed in fermentation, which must be 
especially active and energetic in this climate. The fact is 
interesting were it only to show that there must be occasional 
dry spells of sufficient length to allow of the dead leaves getting- 
dry to a certain extent, for in the soaked state in which they 
are usually found, it would seem quite impossible that they 
should provoke a conflagration. Between the blackened 
skeletons, striplings were already shooting up to replace the 
ruined forest. 
The party reached the shore of the first lake towards 
four o’clock. It was plainly impossible to oblige the porters 
to proceed on that day. The Duke decided to encamp upon a 
spur which runs out into the lake, and is about 90 feet high. 
The level above the sea was 13,271 feet; 810 feet above the 
camp of Bujongolo. 
The valley, which up to this point ran due north and south, 
here turns abruptly to the west, becoming so narrow that the 
lakelet fills the whole bottom, which forms a sort of oval basin 
resembling- a crater at first sight. A few ducks wander 
over the water. There were traces of leopards and marmots, 
and a few crows were flying overhead. There was no other 
sign of animal life. A little torrent, falling down from the 
glaciers of Kiyanja, gave abundance of water. There was 
plenty of wood within reach, and it was soon possible for 
everyone to dry his garments around a big fire. 
In the clear fine afternoon the little lake, barely ruffled by 
the breeze, reflected the snowy peaks. The valley was one 
mass of flowers, and in this peaceful scene they soon forgot 
the fatigue of the hard day. The sun went down behind a 
dense layer of clouds, which lay across the sky to the westward. 
