I had no idea
Mungo was so steep. If I had - well, I am in for it now!
CHAPTER XVIII. ASCENT OF THE GREAT PEAK OF CAMEROONS - (continued).
Wherein is recounted how the Voyager sets out from Buea, and goes up
through the forest belt to the top of the S.E. crater of Mungo Mah
Lobeh, with many dilemmas and disasters that befell on the way.
September 22nd. - Wake at 5. Fine morning. Fine view towards
Cameroon River. The broad stretch of forest below, and the water-
eaten mangrove swamps below that, are all a glorious indigo flushed
with rose colour from "the death of the night," as Kiva used to call
the dawn. No one stirring till six, when people come out of the
huts, and stretch themselves and proceed to begin the day, in the
African's usual perfunctory, listless way.
My crew are worse than the rest. I go and hunt cook out. He props
open one eye, with difficulty, and yawns a yawn that nearly cuts his
head in two. I wake him up with a shock, by saying I mean to go on
up to-day, and want my chop, and to start one time. He goes off and
announces my horrible intention to the others. Kefalla soon arrives
upon the scene full of argument, "You no sabe this be Sunday, Ma?"
says he in a tone that tells he considers this settles the matter.
I "sabe" unconcernedly; Kefalla scratches his head for other
argument, but he has opened with his heavy artillery; which being
repulsed throws his rear lines into confusion.
