206 
In the Heart of Africa 
His trusty Askari saved him from his critical position by firing 
a volley into the creature whilst it hung almost over his body. 
Under the skill and careful nursing of Dr. Mortula the two 
invalids gradually recovered, but it was quite impossible for 
them to participate further in the expedition. Accompanied by 
the doctor, they started on their return to Europe, taking short 
marches to Entebbe. In spite of his awkward position, lying 
in a hammock, Weiss contrived to carry out the survey of the 
road as far as Entebbe. 
We now returned by a circuitous route to Beni, where nearly 
all the Europeans were lying sick. Fever and other disorders 
had broken out. The non-appearance of the expected rain had 
a depressing effect, and made the temperature rise to 30 deg. C. 
in the shade. This heat enervated the patients still further. 
Rain was badly required, for its shortage in the previous year 
had brought about a failure of the harvest and resulted in a 
famine. The banana fields yielded no results and the potatoes 
dried up. At the finish the people had to suck bananas in order 
to alleviate the cravings of extreme thirst. A similar condition 
of affairs now menaced. 
We only stayed a few days at Beni, and then set out for 
the western slope of the mighty mountain chain of Ruwenzori. 
On the way we passed broad banana fields, where bird life was 
so plentiful that we hurriedly pitched camp, so as to seize such 
a favourable opportunity for collecting. Great hornbills be¬ 
stirred themselves close to tiny summer birds, weaver birds, 
“kasukus,” and grey parrots, whilst innumerable gaily-feathered 
singers flitted through the air. Our zeal for collecting was, 
however, soon arrested by a pelting downpour of rain, which 
converted the ground almost immediately into torrential brooks 
or morasses. Although the natives greeted this with joy, we 
ourselves found it very disagreeable, as the loamy soil promised 
us an exceedingly arduous march on the slopes of Ruwenzori. 
Our fear that this downpour was the forerunner of the February 
rainy season proved correct, and the conditions of our march 
were essentially unpleasant. In addition to the slippery path, 
