Chapter X. 
On the following day they were able to approach much 
nearer. Here a disappointment awaited Sella, for the monolith 
proved to be a very commonplace pinnacle of rock which had 
received from its isolated position on a ridge an appearance 
of being much more grand than was actually the case. He 
came back to Camp IX by night, a few hours later than 
the Duke. 
On the 17th they proceeded to descend the valley under 
a clouded sky but without rain or fog. They crossed the 
IBANDA. 
terrace which forms the meeting point of the Bujuku, Migusi 
and Kurungu Valleys. This is probably an ancient lake 
bottom, and is now completely covered with reeds. They 
skirted its left slope on uneven ground scattered with little 
grassy hillocks. They now reached the third rise followed 
by a long gorge running between the two South Portals. 
274 
