CHAPTER XXX.

RUWENZORI: THE CLOUD KING.

Recent travellers who have failed to see this range--Its classical history--The range of mountains viewed from Pisgah by us in 1887--The twin cones and snowy mountain viewed by us in 1888 and January 1889--Description of the range--The Semliki valley--A fair figurative description of Ruwenzori--The principal drainage of the snowy range--The luxurious productive region known as Awamba forest or the Semliki valley--Shelter from the winds--Curious novelties in plants in Awamba forest--The plains between Mtsora and Muhamba--Changes of climate and vegetation on nearing the hills constituting the southern flank of Ruwenzori--The north-west and west side of Ruwenzori--Emotions raised in us at the sight of Ruwenzori--The reason why so much snow is retained on Ruwenzori--The ascending fields of snow and great tracts of _débris_--Brief views of the superb Rain Creator or Cloud King--Impression made on all of us by the skyey crests and snowy breasts of Ruwenzori 313