234 
In the Heart of Africa 
had to be carefully examined, disputes settled, and the men con¬ 
vinced that everything was just and in order; further, each 
man had to receive his travelling “ posho ” (food-money) in ready- 
money, for the purchase of stores for the return journey to his 
native place. 
After having received a handshake as a farewell from each 
one of us, they marched away homeward bound in detachments, 
each under its particular head-man. It was with a feeling of 
regret that we saw them leave us, after having shared our 
pleasures and trials for nearly a year. Through good and bad 
days, in the heat of the steppes and in the icy breath of the 
snow-capped volcanoes, they had fulfilled their duty loyally, 
like tried and trusty men. We dismissed them here in order that 
they should be spared the long return journey from Avakubi, 
some thirty days’ march farther ahead. Till then we contented 
ourselves with carriers from the Congo territory. The march was 
to terminate at Avakubi, as we intended continuing our journey 
from there to the Congo by native canoes upon the great tribu¬ 
tary, the Aruwimi. The troops of the expedition were to escort 
us through the forest until we reached the river. 
Czekanowski arrived on the 27th, after his wanderings, which 
had led him as far as the Uelle. He had endured a good deal in 
consequence of the violent rains, from which we had, fortunately, 
been spared from the time that we quitted the neighbourhood of 
Ruwenzori. 
In Irumu, however, we prepared to encounter a third rainy 
period, the advent of which was expected daily; and, in fact, in 
the evenings we saw the clouds gathering threateningly together, 
accompanied by sheet-lightning in the distance. A little later 
showers set in daily. They announced their arrivel by violent 
winds of sweeping force. On the afternoon of the 30th March 
the south-western heavens grew coal-black. The heavy rain 
advanced towards us in an opaque steel-blue mass, sharply 
defined at its sides. At one kilometre’s distance from the station 
it was pouring down in torrents. Thus we were able to observe 
all the phases of this vivid spectacle of Nature without being 
