144 
In the Heart of Africa 
This continued during the early morning, so that we could 
see but little in ascending. A trifle higher up the air grew 
clearer and at moments we obtained through the driving clouds 
glimpses of the rugged rocks at the summit. 
The vegetation also changed. The forest region ceased. 
Tall bushes of heath appeared with thick branched boughs and 
gnarled trees five metres high. Long beard-mosses, typical 
features of the Alpine world, hung down from the branches. 
We advanced higher up on the south-east edge of the abyss 
and the way grew steeper. The thick carpet of moss covering 
the ground yielded to our steps, causing some of the carriers 
to slip and fall, and here and there a heavy load went rolling 
down into the depths till it stuck on some projection or hung 
on a heath bush. It was necessary, on reaching an elevation of 
3,700 metres, to take another lengthy halt for the sake of the 
fatigued carriers. 
As the caravan was impeding our ascent Wiese remained 
behind to control it, whilst we hastened forward. The incline 
was so steep at times that we had to use our hands in climbing. 
After a time we caught sight of an extended narrow ridge 
which looked a likely place for camping. The whole of the 
vegetation at this point bore quite a decided Alpine character. 
The slopes were covered with a broad belt of Senecio Joknstonii^ 
and tall lobelias, mingled with immortelles, extended to the 
almost perpendicular rocks of the summit, which stretched up 
another four hundred metres in front of us. The sun emerged 
from the clouds and diffused a comforting warmth for a few 
short moments, whilst our eyes roved enchanted over the glorious 
prospect, which included two-thirds of Lake Kiwu. 
Our patience was severely taxed whilst waiting for the 
caravan, which arrived late in the afternoon, everyone being 
thoroughly exhausted. The ridge on which we were forced to 
camp was hollowed out by atmospheric influences, and it was 
so narrow that the edges of the tents reached beyond it and 
it was hardly possible to fix the pegs. The soft ground, more¬ 
over, offered insufficient security. So it was with troubled and 
