diff options
| author | nfenwick <nfenwick@pglaf.org> | 2025-02-06 01:10:59 -0800 |
|---|---|---|
| committer | nfenwick <nfenwick@pglaf.org> | 2025-02-06 01:10:59 -0800 |
| commit | 07e8d557320db920e6920bf1fdb6925ebcf3630e (patch) | |
| tree | f3c7a97e3f83850d9c4029f9a976704349070eaf | |
| parent | 58128386d47cede19e4256e5695b624866d2f265 (diff) | |
| -rw-r--r-- | .gitattributes | 4 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | LICENSE.txt | 11 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | README.md | 2 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/52444-8.txt | 8212 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/52444-8.zip | bin | 164661 -> 0 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/52444-h.zip | bin | 3456796 -> 0 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/52444-h/52444-h.htm | 10988 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/52444-h/images/birds.png | bin | 72680 -> 0 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/52444-h/images/capt.png | bin | 87301 -> 0 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/52444-h/images/cover.jpg | bin | 108370 -> 0 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/52444-h/images/dance.png | bin | 88270 -> 0 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/52444-h/images/dinner.png | bin | 81681 -> 0 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/52444-h/images/ele1.png | bin | 90636 -> 0 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/52444-h/images/ele2.png | bin | 89145 -> 0 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/52444-h/images/face.png | bin | 86077 -> 0 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/52444-h/images/fall.png | bin | 88851 -> 0 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/52444-h/images/fish.png | bin | 83786 -> 0 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/52444-h/images/front.png | bin | 96095 -> 0 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/52444-h/images/gaz.png | bin | 84518 -> 0 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/52444-h/images/glass.png | bin | 82565 -> 0 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/52444-h/images/ground.png | bin | 92304 -> 0 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/52444-h/images/handja.png | bin | 26314 -> 0 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/52444-h/images/hip.png | bin | 82558 -> 0 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/52444-h/images/hunt.png | bin | 76099 -> 0 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/52444-h/images/hunt2.png | bin | 72450 -> 0 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/52444-h/images/hunti.png | bin | 87618 -> 0 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/52444-h/images/illo1.png | bin | 10481 -> 0 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/52444-h/images/illo10.png | bin | 11070 -> 0 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/52444-h/images/illo11.png | bin | 23499 -> 0 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/52444-h/images/illo12.png | bin | 19760 -> 0 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/52444-h/images/illo13.png | bin | 22707 -> 0 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/52444-h/images/illo2.png | bin | 37678 -> 0 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/52444-h/images/illo3.png | bin | 8264 -> 0 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/52444-h/images/illo4.png | bin | 12142 -> 0 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/52444-h/images/illo5.png | bin | 46669 -> 0 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/52444-h/images/illo6.png | bin | 7349 -> 0 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/52444-h/images/illo7.png | bin | 9454 -> 0 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/52444-h/images/illo8.png | bin | 10580 -> 0 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/52444-h/images/illo9.png | bin | 52759 -> 0 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/52444-h/images/king.png | bin | 84303 -> 0 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/52444-h/images/leop.png | bin | 93790 -> 0 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/52444-h/images/mbou.png | bin | 80549 -> 0 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/52444-h/images/mbouve.png | bin | 94383 -> 0 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/52444-h/images/mbuiti.png | bin | 77525 -> 0 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/52444-h/images/me.png | bin | 76986 -> 0 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/52444-h/images/mourn.png | bin | 83581 -> 0 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/52444-h/images/one.png | bin | 80545 -> 0 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/52444-h/images/ordeal.png | bin | 71728 -> 0 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/52444-h/images/peli.png | bin | 87707 -> 0 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/52444-h/images/scene.png | bin | 84371 -> 0 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/52444-h/images/slaves.png | bin | 80008 -> 0 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/52444-h/images/snake.png | bin | 92217 -> 0 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/52444-h/images/sun.png | bin | 75645 -> 0 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/52444-h/images/torn.png | bin | 88453 -> 0 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/52444-h/images/us.png | bin | 97483 -> 0 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/52444-h/images/work.png | bin | 76226 -> 0 bytes |
56 files changed, 17 insertions, 19200 deletions
diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..d7b82bc --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,4 @@ +*.txt text eol=lf +*.htm text eol=lf +*.html text eol=lf +*.md text eol=lf diff --git a/LICENSE.txt b/LICENSE.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6312041 --- /dev/null +++ b/LICENSE.txt @@ -0,0 +1,11 @@ +This eBook, including all associated images, markup, improvements, +metadata, and any other content or labor, has been confirmed to be +in the PUBLIC DOMAIN IN THE UNITED STATES. + +Procedures for determining public domain status are described in +the "Copyright How-To" at https://www.gutenberg.org. + +No investigation has been made concerning possible copyrights in +jurisdictions other than the United States. Anyone seeking to utilize +this eBook outside of the United States should confirm copyright +status under the laws that apply to them. diff --git a/README.md b/README.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..4741b6a --- /dev/null +++ b/README.md @@ -0,0 +1,2 @@ +Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for +eBook #52444 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/52444) diff --git a/old/52444-8.txt b/old/52444-8.txt deleted file mode 100644 index 71d844d..0000000 --- a/old/52444-8.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,8212 +0,0 @@ -Project Gutenberg's Stories of the Gorilla Country, by Paul Du Chaillu - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most -other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions -whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of -the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at -www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you'll have -to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this ebook. - - - -Title: Stories of the Gorilla Country - Narrated for Young People - -Author: Paul Du Chaillu - -Release Date: June 30, 2016 [EBook #52444] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK STORIES OF THE GORILLA COUNTRY *** - - - - -Produced by Carlos Colón, Princeton Theological Seminary -Library and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at -http://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images -generously made available by The Internet Archive) - - - - - - - - [Illustration: GORILLA HUNTING. - CHAP. XXXII.] - - - - - STORIES - OF THE - GORILLA COUNTRY - - - NARRATED FOR YOUNG PEOPLE - - - BY - PAUL DU CHAILLU - - AUTHOR OF "DISCOVERIES IN EQUATORIAL AFRICA" - ETC., ETC. - - - NEW AND CHEAPER EDITION - - - LONDON - SAMPSON LOW, MARSTON & COMPANY - _Limited_ - St. Dunstan's House - FETTER LANE, FLEET STREET, E.C. - 1893 - [_All rights reserved_] - - - - - LONDON: - PRINTED BY GILBERT AND RIVINGTON, LD., - ST. JOHN'S HOUSE, CLERKENWELL ROAD, E.C. - - - - - CONTENTS. - - - PAGE - - PRELIMINARY CHAPTER 1 - - CHAPTER II. - Arrival on the coast--A king and his palace--Dancing and - idol-worship 3 - - CHAPTER III. - A week in the woods--A tornado--The leopards prowling about--I - kill a cobra and a scorpion--Fight with a buffalo--Hunting for - wild boars--A leopard takes a ride on a bull--Sick with the - fever 13 - - CHAPTER IV. - A village on the seashore--Lying in wait for a leopard 23 - - CHAPTER V. - The Bay of Corisco--The mangrove trees--The wonderful flocks of - birds--What I found in the pouch of a pelican--How an old king - is buried, and the new king crowned 29 - - CHAPTER VI. - An old man killed for witchcraft--My journey to the country of - the cannibals--Starting on the route 37 - - CHAPTER VII. - Our journey through the wilderness continued--A rebellion in - camp--Nothing to eat--I shoot a fish and miss an elephant--I - kill a big snake and the others eat him--My first sight of - gorillas 47 - - CHAPTER VIII. - I arrive among the cannibals--Their spears, bows, and - battle-axes--They take me for a spirit--Their king shakes when - he sees me--I give him a looking-glass--It astonishes him 59 - - CHAPTER IX. - An elephant hunt 67 - - CHAPTER X. - Life among the cannibals--Curious musical instruments--Cooking - utensils--A blacksmith's bellows and anvil--Cannibal diet 75 - - CHAPTER XI. - Journey to Yoongoolapay--Hunting with nets--The terrible - Bashikonay ants 83 - - CHAPTER XII. - Returning to the coast--Caverns and waterfalls in the - highlands--Crossing a river on mangrove roots--Stirring up a big - snake--A mutual scare 89 - - CHAPTER XIII. - Cape Lopez and an open prairie once more--King Bango and his - three hundred wives--His five idols--Slave barracoons--The - corpse and the vultures 97 - - CHAPTER XIV. - Slave barracoons--A big snake under my bed--A slave-ship off the - coast 103 - - CHAPTER XV. - Going into the interior--Sleeping with the king's rats--The - chimpanzee--Kill a gazelle--Too cold to sleep--The grey - partridge 109 - - CHAPTER XVI. - The hippopotamus--A speck of war--Reach Ngola--A Sunday - talk--The black man's God and the white man's God--How King - Njambai punished his wife--We build an olako in the woods 117 - - CHAPTER XVII. - An unsuccessful hunt for elephants--I take aim at a buffalo--A - leopard in the grass near us--We shoot the leopard and her - kitten--Great rejoicing in camp--Who shall have the tail?--A - quarrel over the brains--The guinea hens--The monkeys 125 - - CHAPTER XVIII. - Alone in camp--Hunting for elephants--Aboko kills a rogue--I cut - another python in two--We shoot some wild boars--A buffalo - hunt--Return to Sangatanga--King Bango sick 133 - - CHAPTER XIX. - A jolly excursion party--A race for the fishing banks--The - Oroungou burial-ground 143 - - CHAPTER XX. - Our camp at Point Fetish--An African watering-place--Fishing, - but not bathing--The sharks--Curing mullets, etc.--Turning - turtles--Bird shooting--A leopard springs upon us 149 - - CHAPTER XXI. - Bound for the interior--A sea voyage--A tornado--We reach the - Fernand-Vaz--Sangala wishes to detain me--A night - alarm--Prospect of a war--Arrayed for battle--A compromise--My - Commi friends 157 - - CHAPTER XXII. - I build a village, and call it Washington--I start for the - interior--My speech on leaving--The people applaud me - vociferously, and promise to be honest--We reach Aniambia--The - "big king," Olenga-Yombi--A royal ball in my honour--The - superstitions of the natives--A man tossed by a buffalo 169 - - CHAPTER XXIII. - Capture of a young gorilla--I call him "Fighting Joe"--His - strength and bad temper--He proves untameable--Joe - escapes--Recaptured--Escapes again--Unpleasant to handle--Death - of "Fighting Joe" 179 - - CHAPTER XXIV. - The hippopotamus--A duel--Shooting on the river--Nearly - upset--A night-hunt on land--My companion fires and - runs--Appearance and habits of the hippopotamus 189 - - CHAPTER XXV. - Visit of King Quengueza--I promise to visit him--The kindness of - the Commi--The dry season of the Fernand-Vaz--Plenty of birds - and fishes--The marabouts--The eagles--A bad wound 199 - - CHAPTER XXVI. - Another expedition to Lake Anengue--Difficult passage up the - river--The crocodiles--King Damagondai and his troubles--I - buy an mbuiti, or idol 207 - - CHAPTER XXVII. - A visit to King Shimbouvenegani--His royal costume--Hunting - crocodiles--How they seize their prey--The nkago--The ogata 215 - - CHAPTER XXVIII. - The nshiego mbouvé--Bald-headed apes--Their houses in the - trees--Lying in wait for them--We kill a male--The shrieks of - his mate--Description of the animal--Farewell to Shimbouvenegani 221 - - CHAPTER XXIX. - War threatened--Oshoria arms his men--We bluff them off, and - fall sick with fever--The _mbola ivoga_, or end of mourning - time--A death and burial--Finding out the sorcerer--The village - deserted--I become Viceroy at Washington 227 - - CHAPTER XXX. - Hunting in the woods--The mboyo wolf--We catch another young - gorilla--He starves to death 237 - - CHAPTER XXXI. - Going to unknown regions--Quengueza sends his son as a - hostage--I take him along with me--Reception by the king--Our - speeches--Quengueza afraid of a witch--An incantation scene 241 - - CHAPTER XXXII. - Gorilla hunting--My companions, Mombon, Etia, and Gambo--Etia - kills a large gorilla---We make up a large party--Camp stories - about gorillas--We capture a young gorilla--Her untimely death 247 - - CHAPTER XXXIII. - Voyage up the river--We build a village near - Obindji--Quengueza's plan for keeping the Sabbath--Kindness of - the natives--A trial by ordeal 253 - - CHAPTER XXXIV. - The kooloo-kamba--The gouamba, or meat-hunger--Exploring the - forest--Gorilla hunting--Within eight yards of a large - gorilla--He roars with rage and marches upon us 259 - - CHAPTER XXXV. - We go up the river to N'calai Boumba--A severe attack of - fever--The tender care of the natives for me--Anguilai accuses - his people of bewitching me--I go out and quiet him--A boy cut - to pieces for witchcraft--A useful idol--The ebony trees 265 - - CHAPTER XXXVI. - Hunting for food--We kill a female nshiego mbouvé--A young - nshiego with a white face--He becomes my pet Tommy--His - affection for me--His stealing pranks--Tommy gets drunk--His - behaviour at meals--His sudden death--Conclusion 271 - - - - - LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS. - - - GORILLA HUNTING FRONTISPIECE - - MY RECEPTION BY THE KING 3 - - ENTICING THE LEOPARD 23 - - FLOCKS OF BIRDS 29 - - SCENE WITH THE MBOUSHA 37 - - KILLING THE SNAKE 47 - - KING ASTONISHED AT LOOKING-GLASS 59 - - ENTRAPPING THE ELEPHANT 67 - - FAN BLACKSMITHS AT WORK 75 - - THE HANDJA 78 - - NET-HUNTING 83 - - MANGROVE SWAMP. TUMBLING AND FALLING 89 - - SLAVE BARRACOONS. BURIAL GROUND 97 - - EMBARKING SLAVES 103 - - THE GAZELLE 109 - - AFTER DINNER 117 - - A LEOPARD AND HER YOUNG ONE 125 - - ABOKO KILLS A ROGUE ELEPHANT 133 - - FISHING 143 - - TURNING TURTLES JUST BEFORE SUNRISE 149 - - OUR SCHOONER CAUGHT IN A TORNADO 157 - - AFRICAN BALL. KING OLENGA-YOMBI DANCING 169 - - CAPTURING A YOUNG GORILLA 179 - - HIPPOPOTAMI AT HOME 189 - - MARABOUTS, STORKS, AND PELICANS 199 - - THE KING RECEIVES ME 207 - - A CROCODILE HUNT 215 - - THE NSHIEGO MBOUVÉ 221 - - EXPIRATION OF MOURNING 227 - - WOLF HUNTING 237 - - AN INCANTATION SCENE 241 - - A TRIAL BY ORDEAL 253 - - THE GORILLA MARCHES UPON US 259 - - MEETING THE MBUITI 265 - - A YOUNG NSHIEGO MBOUVÉ WITH A WHITE FACE 272 - -[Illustration] - - - - -[Illustration] - -Stories of the Gorilla Country. - - - - -PRELIMINARY CHAPTER. - - -I had passed several years on the African Coast before I began the -explorations recorded in my first book. In those years I hunted, traded -with the natives, and made collections in natural history. - -In such a wild country as Africa one does not go far without -adventures. The traveller necessarily sees what is strange and -wonderful, for everything is strange. - -In this book I have attempted to relate some of the incidents of life -in Africa for the reading of young folks. In doing this I have kept no -chronological order, but have selected incidents and adventures here -and there as they seem to be fitted for my purpose. - -I have noticed that most intelligent boys like to read about the habits -of wild animals, and the manners and way of life of savage men; and -of such matters this book is composed. In it I have entered into more -minute details concerning the life of the native inhabitants than I -could in my other books, and have shown how the people build their -houses, what are their amusements, how they hunt, fish, eat, travel, -and live. - -Whenever I am at a friend's house the children ask me to tell them -something about Africa. I like children, and in this book have written -especially for them. I hope to interest many who are yet too young to -read my larger works. - -[Illustration] - - - - -[Illustration: MY RECEPTION BEFORE THE KING.] - - - - -CHAPTER II. - - ARRIVAL ON THE COAST--A KING AND HIS PALACE--DANCING AND - IDOL-WORSHIP. - - -Some years ago a three-masted vessel took me to a wild country on the -West Coast of Africa near the Equator. - -It was a very wild country indeed. - -As we came in sight of the land, which was covered with forest, canoes -began to start from the shore towards us; and, as we neared the land, -we could see the people crowding down on the beach to look at the -strange sight of a vessel. - -The canoes approached the vessel in great numbers. Some of them were -so small that they looked like mere nutshells. Indeed, some of the men -paddled with their feet; and one man carried his canoe ashore on his -shoulder. - -At last, the natives came on board, and what funny people they were! I -could not discern one from another; they seemed to me all alike. - -What a queer way of dressing they had too! You would have laughed to -see them. Some had only an old coat on. Others had an old pair of -trousers which probably had belonged to some sailor; these wore no -shirt or coat. Some had only an old ragged shirt, and some again had -nothing on except an old hat. Of course none of them had shoes. - -How they shouted and hallooed as they came about the vessel! They -seemed to speak such a strange language. No one on board appeared to -understand them. They made so great a noise that I thought I should -become deaf. - -One of them had a fowl to sell; another brought an egg or two; and -another a few bunches of plantains. - -Our captain knew the coast; for he had long been an African trader, -though he had never been at this place before. - -The ship cast anchor. It was not far from a river called Benito. - -I left the vessel and went ashore with some others. As I landed I was -surrounded immediately by crowds of natives, who looked so wild and so -savage that I thought they would kill me at once. - -I was led to the village, which stood not far from the sea, and was -hidden from view by the very large trees and the great forest that -surrounded it. On one side of the village was a prairie. - -I shall always remember this village. It was the first African village -I had ever seen; and it was unlike those built in Southern Africa. - -Don't think for a moment that I am going to speak to you of stone or -wooden houses. No! These wild people lived in queer little huts, the -walls of which were made of the bark of trees, and were not more than -four or five feet high. The top of the roof was only about seven or -eight feet from the ground. The length of these huts was about ten or -twelve feet, and they were seven or eight feet wide. There were no -windows, and the door was very small. They immediately took me to one -of these houses, and said they gave it to me. They meant that it was -mine as long as I would stay with them. It belonged to the son of the -king. - -So I went in. But where was I to sit down? - -There was no chair to be seen. - -Patience, thought I. These people had probably never seen a chair in -their lives. It was so dark I could not see at first. By and by I saw -how the hut was furnished. There were some calabashes to hold water, -and two or three cooking pots. There were some ugly-looking spears, an -axe, and two or three large and queer-looking knives, which could sever -the head of a man at one blow. Of course I looked for a bed: I need not -tell you there was none; but, instead, there were some sticks to lie -upon. The very look of this sleeping-place made me shudder; I thought -of snakes, scorpions, and centipedes. The dark hut seemed the very -place for them. Shortly after the king's son came. If I remember well, -his name was _Andèké_. He told me that his father, the king, was ready -to receive me. - -The king ready to receive me! - -This was a great announcement. I must dress. - -But how? - -There was no washing-basin to wash myself in; besides, I had forgotten -my soap. - -I was glad I had no beard at that time; for I do not know how I could -have shaved. - -In short, I resolved to go and see his majesty as I was. - -The sun being very warm, I took my umbrella with me. The people -conducted me to the royal palace. - -What do you suppose a palace to be in the Benito country? The king's -palace was made of the same material (bark of trees) as the houses I -have just described to you; and it was only about twice as big. - -As I entered I went towards the king, who was seated on a stool. -Another empty stool was by his side. - -I may say that Apourou--such was the king's name--did not come up to my -ideas of a king. In fact, I should have laughed at him had I dared. - -His costume was composed of a red soldier's coat, and he wore a little -bit of calico round his waist. That was all. You must understand he had -no shirt. - -He was a tall, slim negro, with grey hair, and had large scars on -his face, and his whole body was covered with tattoos. He wore large -earrings. He was smoking a big ugly pipe. - -He looked at me, and I looked at him. - -The room was full of people, and the king had several of his wives -around him. The queen was there. Would you believe it? in that country -a man marries as many wives as he chooses! - -The king looked at me for a long time without saying a word. Finally -he opened his mouth, clapped his hands, and said I was a funny-looking -_fellow_. - -He next said he was very glad to see me, and would take care of me. -Then he touched my hair, and said I must give him some. He would like -to have me remain with him always. At this the people shouted, "We want -the _ntangani_ to stay with us!" - - * * * * * - -What do you think he did next? - -He quietly proposed to me that I should get married to some of his -countrywomen; and added that whomsoever I should choose would become my -wife. - -The suggestion was received by all the people with a tremendous grunt -of approval, to show that they thought just as their king. Then they -shouted, "The girl he likes he shall marry!" - -I said, "I don't want to get married, I am too young." I did not want -to tell him that I would not, for all the world, marry one of his -people. - -It was getting very warm in the hut, and there was a strong odour. -The people were packed so closely together that they reminded one of -herrings in a barrel, and you must remember I said the house had no -windows. - -Then the king presented me with one fowl, two eggs, and one bunch of -plantain; and as I went away he said I had better give him my umbrella. -But I went off as if I had not heard what he said. I thought it was -rather too much for a king to ask a stranger to give up his umbrella. I -had just begun to learn what African kings were. - -The people followed me everywhere; I wish I could have understood their -language. One man could talk English, and I am going now to give you a -specimen of his English. - -When he thought I must be hungry, he said, "Want chop? Want chop?" When -he saw that I could not understand what he meant, he made signs with -his hands and mouth, which at once explained to me that he had asked -me if I wanted to eat. I said, "Yes;" and after a while, some cooked -plantains, with some fish, were brought to me. I did not care for the -plantains; it was the first time I had ever tasted them. - -After my meal, I walked through the street of the village and came to -a house, in the recess of which I saw an enormous idol. I had never in -all my life seen such an ugly thing. It was a rude representation of -some human being, of the size of life, and was made of wood. It had -large copper eyes, and a tongue of iron, which shot out from its mouth -to show that it could sting. The lips were painted red. It wore large -iron earrings. Its head was ornamented with a feather cap. Most of the -feathers were red, and came from the tails of grey parrots, while the -body and face were painted red, white, and yellow. It was dressed in -the skins of wild animals. Around it were scattered skins of tigers -and serpents, and the bones and skulls of animals. Some food also was -placed near, so that it might eat if it chose. - -It was now sunset; and night soon set in over the village. For the -first time in my life I stood alone in this dark world, surrounded by -savages, without any white people near me. There was no light in the -street, and only the reflection of the fires could be seen now and -then. How dismal it was! - -I looked at my pistols and my guns, and was glad to find that they were -in good order. - -By-and-by the people began to come out of their huts; and I saw some -torches lighted, and taken towards the large _mbuiti_ as they call -the idol, and there placed on the ground. The large drums or tom-toms -were also carried there; and the women and men of the village gathered -around. The tom-toms beat; and, soon after, I heard the people singing. -I went to see what was the matter. - -What a sight met my eyes! - -The men had their bodies painted in different colours. Some had one -cheek red and the other white or yellow. A broad white or yellow stripe -was painted across the middle of the chest and along both the arms. -Others had their bodies spotted. Most ugly they looked! The women wore -several iron or brass rings around their wrists and ankles. - -Then the singing began, and the dancing! I had never seen such dancing -before. It was very ungraceful. The drummers beat on the tom-toms with -all their might. As they became warm with exertion their bodies shone -like seals, so oily were they. - -I looked and looked, with my eyes wide open; I was nearly stunned with -the noise. As the women danced and sung, the brass and iron rings which -they wore struck against each other, and kept time with the music and -the beating of the tom-toms. - -But why were they all there dancing and screeching around the idol? - -I will tell you. - -They were about to start on a hunting expedition, and they were asking -the idol to give them good luck in their sport. - -When I found it was to be a hunting expedition, I wanted to go at once -with these savages, though I was only a lad under twenty years old. - -I retired to my hut with a valiant heart; I was going to do great -things. - -If you had been in my place, boys, would you not have felt the same? -Would you have left the gorillas alone? I am sure you all shout at -once, "No! no!" Would you have let the elephants go unmolested in the -forest? "Certainly not," will be your answer. - -And what about the chimpanzee, and the big leopards who carry away -so many people and eat them, the huge buffaloes, the wild boars, the -antelopes, and the gazelles? - -Would you have left the snakes alone? - -Perhaps you are all going to say "Yes" to that; and I think you are -right, for many of these snakes are very poisonous, and they are -numerous in these great forests; for the country I am telling you -about is nothing but an immense jungle. When a man is bitten by one of -these snakes he often dies in a few minutes. There is also to be found -in these woods an immense python, or boa, that swallows antelopes, -gazelles, and many other animals. I shall have a good deal to tell you -about them by-and-by. - -So I resolved that I would try to see all these native tribes; that I -would have a peep at the cannibals; that I would have a good look also -at the dwarfs. - -I am sure, that if any one of you had been with me on that coast, you -would have said to me, "Du Chaillu, let us go together and see all -these things, and then come back home and tell the good folks all we -have seen." - -Yes, I am certain that every one of you would have felt as I did. - -[Illustration] - - - - -[Illustration] - -CHAPTER III. - - A WEEK IN THE WOODS--A TORNADO--THE LEOPARDS PROWLING ABOUT--I KILL - A COBRA AND A SCORPION--FIGHT WITH A BUFFALO--HUNTING FOR WILD - BOARS--A LEOPARD TAKES A RIDE ON A BULL--SICK WITH THE FEVER. - - -Now, boys, fancy yourselves transported into the midst of a very dense -and dark forest, where the trees never shed their leaves all at one -time, where there is no food to be had, except what you can get with -your gun, and where wild beasts prowl around you at night, while you -sleep. - -I found myself in such a place. - -Immediately after we arrived in those gloomy solitudes we began to -build an olako to shelter us from the rains. - -I must tell you that Benito is a very strange country. It is situated, -as you have seen by the map, near the equator. Of course, you know -what the equator is? There, at a certain time of the year, the sun is -directly above your head at noon, and hence it is the hottest part of -the earth. The days and nights are of the same length. The sun rises at -six o'clock in the morning, and the sunset takes place at six o'clock -in the evening. There is only a difference of a few minutes all the -year round. There is no twilight, and half an hour before sunrise -or after sunset it is dark. There is no snow, except on very high -mountains. There is no winter. There are only two seasons--the rainy -season and the dry season. Our winter time at home is the time of the -rainy season in Equatorial Africa, and it is also the hottest period -of the year. It rains harder there than in any other country. No such -rain is to be witnessed either in the United States or Europe. And as -to the thunder and lightning! You never have heard or seen the like; -it is enough to make the hair on your head stand on end. Then come the -tornados, a kind of hurricane which, for a few minutes, blows with -terrific violence, carrying before it great trees. How wild the sky -looks! How awful to see the black clouds sweeping through the sky with -fearful velocity! - -So you will not wonder that we busied ourselves in preparing our -shelter, for I remember well it was in the month of February. We -took good care not to have big trees around us, for fear they might -be hurled upon us by a tornado, and bury us all alive under their -weight. Accordingly we built our olako near the banks of a beautiful -little stream, so that we could get as much water as we wanted. Then -we immediately began to fell trees. We carried two or three axes with -us, for the axe is an indispensable article in the forests. With the -foliage we made a shelter to keep off the rain. - -While the men were busy building the olako, the women went in search -of dried wood to cook our supper. We had brought some food from the -village with us. - -We were ready just in time. A most terrific tornado came upon us. The -rain poured down in torrents. The thunder was stunning. The lightning -flashed so vividly and often as nearly to blind us. - -Our dogs had hidden themselves, indeed all animals and birds of the -forest were much frightened, which was not to be wondered at. How -thankful I was to be sheltered from such a storm! We had collected -plenty of fuel, and our fires burned brightly. - -We formed a strange group while seated around the fires, the men and -women smoking their pipes and telling stories. We had several fires, -and, as they blazed up, their glare was thrown out through the gloom -of the forest, and filled it with fantastic shadows. Though tired, -everybody seemed merry. We were full of hope for the morrow. Every one -spoke of the particular animal he wished to kill, and of which he was -most fond. Some wished for an antelope, others for an elephant, a wild -boar, or a buffalo. I confess that I myself inclined towards the wild -boar; and I believe that almost every one had the same wish, for that -animal, when fat, is very good eating. Indeed, they already began to -talk as if the pig were actually before them. All fancied they could -eat a whole leg apiece, and their mouths fairly watered in thinking -about it. No wonder they are so fond of meat, they have it so seldom. -Who among us does not relish a good dinner, I should like to know? - -By-and-by all became silent; one after the other we fell asleep, with -the exception of two or three men who were to watch over the fires and -keep them bright; for there were plenty of leopards prowling in the -neighbouring forest, and none of us wanted to serve as a meal for them. -In fact, before going to sleep, we heard some of these animals howling -in the far distance. During the night, one came very near our camp. He -went round and round; and, no doubt, lay in wait to see if one of us -would go out alone; and then he would have pounced upon the careless -fellow. I need not say we did not give him a chance; and you may be -sure we kept the fire blazing. Finally, we fired a few guns, and he -went off. - -These leopards are dreadful animals, and eat a great many natives. -They are generally shy; but once they have tasted human flesh, they -become very fond of it, and the poor natives are carried off, one after -another, in such numbers that the villages have to be abandoned. - -The next day we went hunting. I had hardly gone into the forest when -I saw, creeping on the ground under the dry leaves, an enormous black -snake: I fancy I see it still. How close it was to me! One step more -and I should have just trodden upon it, and then should have been -bitten, and a few minutes after have died, and then, boys, you know -I should have had nothing to tell you about Africa. This snake was a -cobra of the black variety (_Dendrapspis angusticeps_). It is a very -common snake in that region; and, as I have said, very poisonous. - -As soon as the reptile saw me, he rose up, as if ready to spring upon -me, gave one of his hissing sounds, and looked at me, showing, as he -hissed, his sharp-pointed tongue. Of course, the first thing I did -was to make a few steps backward. Then, levelling my gun, I fired -and killed him. He was about eight feet long. I cut his head off, -and examined his deadly fangs. What horrible things they were! They -looked exactly like fish bones, with very sharp ends. I looked at -them carefully, and saw that he could raise and lower them at will; -while the teeth are firmly implanted in a pouch, or little bag, which -contains the poison. I saw in the end of the fang a little hole, which -communicated with the pouch. When the snake opens his mouth to bite, he -raises his fangs. Then he strikes them into the flesh of the animal he -bites, and brings a pressure on the pouch, and the poison comes out by -the little hole I have spoken of. - -I cut open the cobra, and found in his stomach a very large bird. -Andèké packed the bird and snake in leaves, and, on our return to the -camp, the men were delighted. In the evening they made a nice soup of -the snake, which they ate with great relish. - -I had also killed a beautiful little striped squirrel, upon which I -made my dinner. I felt almost sorry to kill it, it was such a pretty -creature. - -In the evening, as I was siting by the fire, and looking at the log -that was burning, I spied a big ugly black scorpion coming out of one -of the crevices. I immediately laid upon its back a little stick which -I had in my hand. You should have seen how its long tail flew up and -stung the piece of wood! I shuddered as I thought that it might have -stung my feet or hands, instead of the wood. I immediately killed it, -and the natives said these scorpions were quite common, and that people -have to be careful when they handle dry sticks of wood, for these -poisonous creatures delight to live under the dry bark, or between the -crevices. - -A nice country this to live in! thought I, after killing a snake and a -scorpion the same day! - -So when I lay down on my pillow, which was merely a piece of wood, I -looked up to see if there was any scorpions upon it. I did not see any; -but, during the night, I awoke suddenly and started up. I thought I -felt hundreds of them creeping over me, and that one had just stung me, -and caused me to wake up. The sweat covered my body. I looked around -and saw nothing but sleeping people. There was no scorpion to be found. -I must have been dreaming. - -Not far from our camp was a beautiful little prairie. I had seen, -during my rambles there, several footprints of wild buffaloes; so I -immediately told Andèké we must go in chase of them. Andèké, the son of -the king, was a very nice fellow, and was, besides, a good hunter--just -the very man I wanted. - -So we went towards the little prairie, and lay hidden on the borders of -it, among the trees. By-and-by I spied a huge bull, who was perfectly -unaware of my presence, for the wind blew from him to me; had the wind -blown the other way, the animal would have scented me and made off. As -it was, he came slowly towards me. I raised my gun and fired. My bullet -struck a creeper, on its way, and glanced aside, so I only wounded the -beast. Turning fiercely, he rushed at me in a furious manner, with his -head down. I was scared; for I was, at that time, but a young hunter; -I got ready to run, though I had a second barrel in reserve. I thought -the infuriated bull was too powerful for me, he looked so big. Just as -I was about to make my escape, I found my foot entangled and hopelessly -caught in a tough and thorny creeper. The bull was dashing towards me -with head down and eyes inflamed, tearing down brushwood and creepers, -which barred his progress. Turning to meet the enemy, I felt my nerves -suddenly grow firm as a rock. If I missed the bull all would be over -with me. He would gore me to death. I took time to aim carefully, and -then fired at his head. He gave one loud, hoarse bellow, and tumbled -almost at my feet. In the meantime, Andèké was coming to the rescue. - -I must say I felt very nervous after all was over. But being but a lad, -I thought I had done pretty well. It was the first direct attack a wild -beast had ever made upon me. I found afterwards, that the bulls are -generally very dangerous when wounded. - -Now I must tell you how this beast looked. He was one of the wild -buffaloes frequently to be met with in this part of Africa. During -the greater part of the day they hide in the forest. When much hunted -they become very shy. They are generally found in herds of from ten to -twenty-five, though I have found them sometimes in much greater number. - -This animal (_Bos brachicheros_) is called by some of the natives -"niaré." It is of the size of our cattle. It is covered with thin red -hair, which is much darker in the bull than in the cow. The hoofs are -long and sharp; the ears are fringed with most beautiful silky hair; -the horns are very handsome, and bend backward in a graceful curve. -In shape, the buffalo looks like something between an antelope and -a common cow; and, when seen afar off, you might think these wild -buffaloes were a herd of cattle at home. - -How glad the people were when Andèké and I brought the news that we had -killed a bull! There was great rejoicing. But I was tired and remained -in the camp; while they went with knives and swords to cut the buffalo -to pieces, and bring in the flesh. - -What a fine place it was for hunting! The animals seemed to come down -from the mountains beyond, and remain in the flat woody country along -the seashore. - -There were a great many wild boars. You know we all wanted one of -these. So one night Andèké and I agreed to go and lie in wait for them -on the prairie. In order to look like Andèké, I blackened my face and -hands with charcoal, so that in the night the colour of my face could -not be distinguished. - -We started from the camp before dark, and reached the prairie before -night. I stationed myself behind a large ant-hill not far from the -open space. There I lay; one hour passed--two hours--three hours, and -still neither wild boar nor buffaloes. I looked at Andèké. He was fast -asleep, at the foot of another ant-hill close by. Once I saw a whole -herd of gazelles pass by; but they were too far from me. Occasionally a -grunt or the cracking of a twig, told me that a wild boar was not far -off. At last everything became silent, and I fell asleep unconsciously. - -Suddenly I was awakened by an unearthly roar--the yell of a wild beast. - -I rubbed my eyes in a hurry--what could be the matter? - -I looked round me, and saw nothing. The woods were still resounding -with the cry that had startled me. Then I heard a great crash in the -forest, made by some heavy animal running away. Then I saw emerge from -the forest a wild bull, on whose neck crouched an immense leopard. The -poor buffalo reared, tossed, roared and bellowed; but in vain. The -leopard's enormous claws were firmly fixed in his victim's body, while -his teeth were sunk deeply in the bull's neck. The leopard gave an -awful roar, which seemed to make the earth shake. Then both buffalo and -leopard disappeared in the forest, and the roars, and the crashing of -the trees, soon ceased. All became silent again. - -I had fired at the leopard, but it was too far off. We stayed a week -here, and I enjoyed myself very much in the woods. I collected birds -and butterflies, killed a few nice little quadrupeds, and then we -returned to the seashore village. There the fever laid me low on my -bed of sickness. How wretched I felt! I had never had the fever before. -For a few days my head was burning hot. When I got better, and looked -at myself in my little looking-glass I could not recognise myself; I -had not a particle of colour left in my cheeks and I looked as yellow -and pale as a lemon. I got frightened. This fever was the forerunner of -what I had to expect in these equatorial regions. - -[Illustration] - - - - -[Illustration: ENTICING THE LEOPARD.] - -CHAPTER IV. - - A VILLAGE ON THE SEASHORE--LYING IN WAIT FOR A LEOPARD. - - -On the promontory called Cape St. John, about a degree north of the -Equator stood a Mbinga village, whose chief was called Imonga. This -was, I think, in the year 1852. The country around was very wild. The -village stood on the top of a high hill which ran out into the sea, -and formed the cape itself. The waves there beat with great violence -against a rock of the tertiary formation. It was a grand sight to see -those angry billows white with foam dashing against the shore. You -could see that they were wearing away the rock. To land there safely -was very difficult. There were only two or three places where between -the rocks a canoe could reach the shore. The people were as wild as the -country round them, and very warlike. They were great fishermen, and -many of them spent their whole time fishing in their little canoes. -Game being very scarce, there were but few hunters. - -Imonga, the chief, had a hideous large scar on his face, which showed -at once that he was a fighting man. Not a few of his men showed signs -of wounds which they had received in battle. Many of these fights or -quarrels took place in canoes on the water, among themselves, or with -people of other villages. - -I do not know why, but Imonga was very fond of me, and so also were his -people. But one thing revolted me. I found that several of Imonga's -wives had the first joint of their little finger cut off. Imonga -did this to make them mind him; for he wanted his wives to obey him -implicitly. - -The woods around the village were full of leopards. They were the -dread of the people, for they were constantly carrying off some one. -At night, they would come into the villages on their errands of blood, -while the villagers were asleep. There was not a dog nor a goat left; -and within two months three people had been eaten by them; the very -places could be seen in the huts where the leopards had entered. They -would tear up the thin thatched palm leaves of the roofs, and having -seized their victims, they would go back through the hole with a -tremendous leap, and with the man in their jaws, and run off into the -forest. - -The last man taken uttered a piercing cry of anguish, which awoke -all the villagers. They at once arose and came to the rescue, but it -was too late. They only found traces of blood as they proceeded. The -leopard had gone far into the woods, and there devoured his victim. Of -course there was tremendous excitement, and they went into the forest -in search of the leopard; but he could never be found. There were so -many of these savage beasts that they even walked along the beach, not -satisfied with the woods alone; and when the tide was low, during the -night, the footprints of their large paws could be seen distinctly -marked on the sand. After ten or eleven o'clock at night, no native -could be seen on the seashore without torches. - -During the day the leopard hides himself either in the hollow of some -one of the gigantic trees, with which these forests abound, or sleeps -quietly on some branch, waiting for the approach of night. He seldom -goes out before one o'clock in the morning, unless pressed by hunger, -and about four o'clock he goes back to his lair. - -I was now getting accustomed to face danger. Killing the buffalo that -attacked me had given me confidence. - -To kill a leopard must be my next exploit. - -I selected a spot very near the sands of the sea, where I remarked the -leopards used to come every night, when the tide was low. I chose a day -when the moon began to rise at midnight, so that it might not be so -dark that I could not take a good aim at the leopard, and see what was -going on. - -I then began to build a kind of pen or fortress; and I can assure you -I worked very hard at it. Every day I went into the forest and cut -branches of trees, with which I made a strong palisade. Every stick -was about six feet high, and was put in the ground about a foot deep. -These posts were fastened together with strong creepers. My little -fortress, for so I must call it, was about five feet square. This would -never answer; for the leopard might leap inside and take hold of me. -So with the help of some strong branches all tied strongly together I -built a roof. Then I made loopholes on all sides for my guns, so that I -might fire at the beast whenever he came in sight. - -I was glad when I had finished, for I felt very tired. My axe was not -sharp, and it had required several days to complete my work. - -One clear starlight night, at about nine o'clock, I went and shut -myself up in my fortress. I had taken a goat with me, which I tied a -few yards from my place of concealment. It was quite dark. After I had -tied the goat, I went back and shut myself very securely inside my -stronghold. - -I waited and waited, but no leopard came. The goat cried all the time. -It was so dark that even if the leopard had come I could not have seen -it. - -The moon rose by one o'clock. It was in its last quarter; and very -strange and fantastic it made everything look. There were the shadows -of the tall trees thrown upon the white sand of the beach, while in -the forest the gloom was somewhat greater. The sea came rolling on -the beach in gentle waves, which, as they broke, sent up thousands of -bright, phosphorescent flashes. There was a dead silence everywhere, -except when the goat cried, or some wild beast made the forest resound -with its dismal howl. The wind whispered gently, mournfully through the -woods. - -I could not account for it, but now and then a cold shudder ran through -me. I was quite alone, for the negro I had taken with me was fast -asleep. - -One o'clock. No leopard. I looked in vain all round me: I could see -nothing. - -Two o'clock. Nothing yet. - -Suddenly, I spied something a long way off on the beach, so far that I -could not make out what it was. It came slowly towards me. What could -it be? I asked myself. Soon I recognised a big spotted leopard. The -goat, which had seen it, began to cry more loudly. The big beast came -nearer and nearer. He began to crouch. Then he lay flat on the ground. -How his eyes glittered! They looked like two pieces of bright, burning -charcoal. - -My heart beat. The first thought that came to me was--Is my house -strong enough to resist his attack, in case I should wound him, or if, -perchance, he should prefer me to the goat, and make an onslaught upon -it? - -The savage beast crawled nearer, and again crouched down on the ground. -I took my gun; and, just as I was getting ready to fire, he made an -immense leap, and bounded upon the goat. I fired. I do not know how, -but, in the twinkling of an eye, the goat was seized, and both leopard -and goat disappeared in the dark forest. I fired again, but with no -better success. In the morning, I saw nothing but the traces of the -poor goat's blood. - -I did not return to the village till morning; for I dared not go -outside of my palisade that night. So, the goat being gone, I concluded -I had better light a fire, to warm myself, and drive away the -mosquitoes. I always carried a box of matches with me. I struck one, -and soon succeeded in making a blaze with the little firewood I had -collected. - -Strange enough I must have looked, inside of my cage, while the fire -sent its glimmering light around. - -Finally, seeing that everything was well secured, I went to sleep, -taking good care to put myself in the middle of the fort, so that if, -by any chance, a leopard came, he could not get hold of me with his -paw. When I awoke it was broad daylight, and I immediately started for -Imonga's village. - -[Illustration] - - - - -[Illustration: FLOCKS OF BIRDS.] - -CHAPTER V. - - THE BAY OF CORISCO--THE MANGROVE TREES--THE WONDERFUL FLOCKS OF - BIRDS--WHAT I FOUND IN THE POUCH OF A PELICAN--HOW AN OLD KING IS - BURIED, AND THE NEW KING CROWNED. - - -Now that you have followed me in the Benito country, and to Cape St. -John, I will take you a little further down the coast to the Bay of -Corisco. There, two rivers empty their waters into the sea. One of them -is called the Muni river, and the other the Monda. - -I will leave the Muni, for we shall have to come to it by-and-by, and -will speak to you only of the Monda. It is throughout a low-banked -swampy stream. The banks are covered with mangrove trees. Every limb or -branch that grows in the water is covered with oysters--real oysters -too; so that at low tide you can see, in some places for a long -distance, immense beds of this kind of shell-fish. - -The mangroves, on which the oysters grow so curiously, are very -extraordinary trees. The main trunk, or parent tree, grows to an -immense size. From a single tree a whole forest will grow up in time, -for the branches send down shoots into the ground, which in their turn -take root and become trees; so that, generally, almost the whole of the -mangrove forest may be said to be knitted together. - -The inhabitants of the country at the mouth of the river are called -Shekiani. They are a very warlike tribe, and many of them are armed -with guns, which they obtain from the vessels that come here from time -to time to buy bar wood, ivory, or india-rubber. - -I arrived at the mouth of the river, in a small canoe, manned by -several Mbinga men. The canoe was made of the trunk of a single tree, -and had a mat for a sail. At the mouth of the river, high above the -swamps that surround its banks, are two hills. On the top of one of -these hills, a village was situated. There I stayed. It was a village -of insignificant size. - -At low tide, the high muddy banks of the river are exposed. So many -birds as are there, I never saw elsewhere: they are to be seen in -countless thousands. The shore, the mud islands, and the water were so -covered with them, that it was really a sight worth seeing. Here and -there flocks of pelicans swam majestically along, keeping at a good -distance from my canoe. You would probably wish to know what these -pelicans are like. I will tell you. They are large birds, and have -an enormous bill, under which is a large pouch, capable of containing -several pounds of fish. They have webbed feet, and their feathers are -white. I wish you could see them looking out for their prey. How slyly -they pry in the water for the fish they are in search of, and how -quickly they pounce upon them unawares with their powerful beak! In an -instant the fish are killed and stored away in the pouch; and when this -is full, then Master Pelican begins to eat. The fish are put in the -pouch as if it were a storehouse. - -Now and then a string of flamingoes go stretching along the muddy -shore, looking for all the world like a line of fire. Most beautiful -are these flamingoes! and very singular they appear when not on the -wing, but standing still on their long red legs! They are very wild, -however, and difficult of approach. - -Wherever the mud peeped out of the water, there were herons, cranes, -gulls of various kinds. Scattered everywhere were seen those beautiful -white birds (_Egretta flavirostris_). Some of the shore trees were -covered with them, looking like snow in the distance. - -Of course I wished to kill some of these birds. So I took a tiny little -canoe, and covered it with branches of trees, that the birds might -think it was a tree coming down the stream, as is often the case. -Then I took a Shekiani with me to paddle, and, putting two guns in -the canoe, we made for the pelicans. The sly birds seemed to suspect -something, and did not give me a chance to approach them for a long -time. But, as you know, in order to succeed in anything, people must -have patience and perseverance. So, after chasing many, I finally -succeeded in approaching one. He was just in the act of swallowing a -big fish, when--bang!--I fired, and wounded him so that he could not -fly. His wing had been broken by my shot. At the noise made by firing -my gun, the birds flew away by thousands. I made for Master Pelican. -The chase became exciting; but at last we succeeded in coming near him. -But how to get hold of him was now the question. His wing only was -broken; and, with his great beak, he might perhaps be able to cut one -of my fingers right off. I was afraid to spoil his feathers if I fired -again. He became exhausted, and with one of the paddles I gave him a -tremendous blow on the head, which stunned him. Another blow finished -him, and we lifted him into the canoe. - -I cannot tell you how pleased I was. His pouch was full of fish. They -were so fresh that I resolved to make a meal out of them. - -I had hardly put the bird at the bottom of the canoe, when there came -flying towards me a flock of at least two hundred flamingoes. In a -moment I had my gun in readiness. Would they come near enough for me to -get a shot at them? I watched them anxiously. Yes! Now they are near -enough; and--bang! bang!--I fired the two barrels right into the middle -of the flock, and two beautiful flamingoes fell into the water. Quickly -we paddled towards them. In order to go faster I took a paddle also, -and worked away as well as I could. They were dead. Both had received -shots in the head. - -We made for the shore. When I opened the pouch of the pelican--just -think of it!--I found a dozen large fishes inside! They were quite -fresh; and I am sure they had not been caught more than half an hour. -You will agree with me that the pelican makes quick work when he goes -a-fishing. - -In the evening I felt so tired that I went straight to bed; and I slept -so soundly, that if the Shekianis had chosen, they could have murdered -me without my even opening my eyes. - -This village had a new king; and I wondered if his majesty were made -king in the same fashion as the sovereign of the Mpongwe tribe; a tribe -of negroes among whom I have resided, and I will tell you how their -king was made. - -Old King Glass died. He had been long ailing, but clung to life with -determined tenacity. He was a disagreeable old heathen; but in his last -days he became very devout--after his fashion. His idol was always -freshly painted, and brightly decorated; his fetich, or "monda," was -the best cared for fetich in Africa, and every few days some great -doctors were brought down from the interior, and paid a large fee -for advising the old king. He was afraid of witchcraft: he thought -everybody wanted to put him out of the way by bewitching him. So the -business of the doctors was to keep off the witches, and assure his -majesty that he would live a long time. This assurance pleased him -wonderfully, and he paid his doctors well. - -The tribe had got tired of their king. They thought, indeed, that he -was himself a most potent and evil-disposed wizard; and, though the -matter was not openly talked about there were very few natives indeed -who would pass his house after night, and none who could be tempted -inside, by any slighter provocation than an irresistible glass of rum. -In fact, if he had not been a great king, he would probably have been -killed. - -When he got sick at last, everybody seemed very sorry; but several of -my friends told me in confidence, that the whole town hoped he would -die; and die he did. I was awakened one morning, by those mournful -cries and wails with which the African oftener covers a sham sorrow -than expresses a real grief. All the women of the village seemed to be -dissolved in tears. It is a most singular thing to see how readily the -women of Africa can supply tears on the slightest occasion, or for no -occasion at all. They will cry together, at certain times of the day, -on mourning occasions, when a few minutes before they were laughing. -They need no pain or real grief to excite their tears. They can, -apparently, weep at will. - -The mourning and wailing on this occasion lasted six days. On the -second day the old king was secretly buried, by a few of the most -trusty men of the tribe, very early in the morning, before others were -up; or perhaps at night. Some said he had been buried at night, while -others said he had been buried in the morning, thus showing that they -did not know. This custom arises from a belief that the other tribes -would much like to get the head of the king, in order that with his -brains they might make a powerful fetich. - -During the days of mourning, the old men of the village busied -themselves in choosing a new king. This, also, is a secret operation, -and the result is not communicated to the people generally till the -seventh day. - -It happened that Njogoni (fowl), a good friend of mine, was elected. I -do not know that Njogoni had the slightest suspicion of his elevation. -At any rate, he shammed ignorance very well. - -While he was walking on the shore, on the morning of the seventh -day--probably some one had told him to go--he was suddenly set upon by -the entire populace, who proceeded with a ceremony which is preliminary -to the crowning. In a dense crowd they surrounded him, and then began -to heap upon him every manner of abuse that the worst of mobs could -imagine. Some spat in his face. Some beat him with their fists, not -very hard of course. Some kicked him. Others threw dirty things at him. -Those unlucky cues who stood on the outside and could only reach the -poor fellow with their voices, assiduously cursed him, and also his -father, and especially his mother, as well as his sisters and brothers, -and all his ancestors to the remotest generation. A stranger would -not have given a farthing for the life of him who was presently to be -crowned. - -Amid the noise and struggle, I caught the words which explained all to -me; for every few minutes some fellow, administering a comparatively -severe blow or kick, would shout out, "You are not our king yet; for -a little while we will do what we please with you. By-and-by we shall -have to do your will." - -Njogoni bore himself like a man, and a prospective king, and took all -this abuse with a smiling face. When it had lasted about half an hour, -they took him to the house of the old king. Here he was seated, and -became again for a little while the victim of his people's curses and -ill-usage. - -Suddenly all became silent, and the elders of the people rose, and said -solemnly (the people repeating after them), "Now we choose you for our -king; we engage to listen to you, and to obey you." - -Then there was silence; and presently the silk hat, of "stove-pipe" -fashion, which is the emblem of royalty among the Mpongwe and several -other tribes, was brought in, and placed on Njogoni's head. He was then -dressed in a red gown, and received the greatest marks of respect from -all those who had just now abused him. - -Then followed six days of festival, during which the poor king, who had -taken the name of his predecessor, was obliged to receive his subjects -in his own house, and was not allowed to stir out. The whole time was -occupied in indescribable gorging of food, and drinking of bad rum -and palm wine. It was a scene of beastly gluttony and drunkenness and -uproarious confusion. Strangers came from the surrounding villages. -Everything to eat and drink was furnished freely, and all comers were -welcome. - -Old King Glass, for whom during six days no end of tears had been shed, -was now forgotten; and _new_ King Glass, poor fellow, was sick with -exhaustion. - -Finally, the rum and palm wine were drank up, the food was eaten, the -allotted days of rejoicing had expired, and the people went back to -their homes. - -[Illustration] - - - - -[Illustration: SCENE WITH THE MBOUSHA.] - -CHAPTER VI. - - AN OLD MAN KILLED FOR WITCHCRAFT--MY JOURNEY TO THE COUNTRY OF THE - CANNIBALS--STARTING ON THE ROUTE. - - -In the year 1856 I was again in the equatorial regions. I was in the -great forest, on my way to the cannibal country; yes, the country where -the people eat one another. It was a long way off, and how was I to get -there through the dense jungle? How was I to find my way in that vast -African forest? These were the thoughts that troubled me when I was in -the village of Dayoko. - -The village of Dayoko lies not far from the banks of the Ntambounay -river, and is surrounded by beautiful groves of plantain trees. - -Dayoko is one of the chiefs of the Mbousha tribe, and a wild and savage -set of people they are I can tell you. But Dayoko became my friend, and -said he would spare me a few men to take me part of the way. - -These Mbousha people look very much like the Shekiani I have already -described. They are superstitious and cruel, and believe in witchcraft. -I stayed among them only a few days. I will now tell you what I saw -there. - -In a hut I found a very old man. His wool (hair) was white as snow, -his face was wrinkled, and his limbs were shrunken. His hands were -tied behind him, and his feet were placed in a rude kind of stocks. -Several negroes, armed to the teeth, stood guard over him, and now and -then insulted him by angry words and blows, to which he submitted in -silence. What do you suppose all this meant? - -This old man was to be killed for witchcraft! - -A truly horrible delusion this witchcraft is! - -I went to Dayoko, the chief, to try to save the old man's life, but I -saw it was in vain. - -During the whole night I could hear singing all over the town as well -as a great uproar. Evidently they were preparing for the sacrifice of -the old man. - -Early in the morning the people gathered together with the fetich-man. -His blood-shot eyes glared in savage excitement, as he went around -from man to man. In his hands he held a bundle of herbs with which he -sprinkled, three times, those to whom he spoke. Meantime, there was a -man on the top of a high tree close by, who shouted, from time to time, -"Jocou! Jocou!" at the same time shaking the trees. - -"_Jocou_" means "devil" among the Mbousha; and the business of this man -was to scare the evil spirit, and keep it away. - -At last they all declared that the old man was a most potent wizard, -that he had killed many people by sorcery, and that he must be killed. - -You would like to know, I dare say, what these Africans mean by a -wizard, or a witch? They believe that people have, within themselves, -the power of killing anyone who displeases them. They believe that no -one dies unless some one has bewitched him. Have you ever heard of such -a horrible superstition? Hence those who are condemned for witchcraft -are sometimes subjected to a very painful death; they are burnt by slow -fire, and their bodies are given to the Bashikouay ant to be devoured. -I shall have something to tell you about ants by-and-by. The poor -wretches are cut into pieces; gashes are made over their bodies and -cayenne pepper is put into the wounds. Indeed it makes me shudder to -think of it, for I have witnessed such dreadful deaths, and seen many -of the mutilated corpses. - -After I witnessed the ceremony, the people scattered, and I went into -my hut, for I was not well. After a while I thought I saw a man pass -my door, almost like a flash, and after him rushed a horde of silent -but infuriated men towards the river. In a little while, I heard sharp, -piercing cries, as of a man in great agony, and then all became still -as death. - -I came out, and going towards the river was met by the crowd returning, -every man armed, with axe, spear, knife or cutlass; and these weapons, -as well as their own hands, and arms, and bodies were sprinkled with -blood. - -They had killed the poor old man they called a wizard, hacked him to -pieces, and finished by splitting open his skull, and scattering the -brains into the water. Then they returned. At night these blood-thirsty -men seemed to be as gentle as lambs, and as cheerful as if nothing had -happened. - -Ought we not to be thankful that we were born in a civilized country? - -Now came the "grand palaver" over my departure. I called Dayoko and all -the elders of the village together. When they had all assembled, I told -them I must go into the Fan country inhabited by the cannibals. - -Dayoko said I should be murdered by the cannibals, and eaten up, and -tried to dissuade me from going. - -Finally I said that go I would. - -So it was determined that I should go under Dayoko's protection. -Accordingly he gave me two of his sons to accompany me, and ordered -several men to carry my chests, guns, powder, bullets, and shot. They -were to take me to one of Dayoko's fathers-in-law, a Mbondemo chief who -lived in the mountains. - -I was going farther and farther from the sea; if the savages were to -leave me and run away in the forest, what would become of me? - -We started in canoes, ascended the Muni river, and then paddled up the -river called the Ntambounay (you must not mind these hard names, they -are not of my choice. I must call things by the names the natives give -them). - -After paddling all day, towards sunset we all felt very tired; for we -had gone a long way up the river, and reached a Shekiani village. I was -quite astonished to meet Shekiani here, but so it happened. - -I shall always remember this Shekiani village, for I thought I should -be murdered and plundered there. After we had landed in the village, -I was told at once, that I could not go any further, for the road -belonged to them. I must pay a tribute of six shirts similar to those -I wore, three great-coats, beads, etc., etc. This would have entirely -ruined me. - -I could not sleep at all. Through the whole night a crowd surrounded my -hut, talking, shouting, and singing in the greatest excitement. My guns -and revolvers were all loaded and I made up my mind not to be killed -without fighting desperately. If I was to die, I resolved at all events -to die like a brave man. All my party were in my hut except Dayoko's -two sons, who had gone to talk with the Shekiani chief. The Shekiani -chief was a friend of Dayoko, and Dayoko's sons told him I was their -father's stranger-friend. - -At last, things became more quiet; and, towards morning, the people -were still or asleep. - -We left the hut. All was still peaceful. My men said that Dayoko's sons -had a big fetich to avert war. - -I gave a present to the Shekiani chief, and off we started. We left our -large canoes and took smaller ones; for we were to go through a very -small stream. - -As we ascended the beautiful river, we could see the lofty mountains -of the interior. A great many islands studded the stream. From the -trees on the banks, the monkeys looked down at us with astonishment. -What curious creatures they were, with their black faces peeping out -through the dark foliage, and looking as if they were making grimaces -at us. By-and-by we left the river and made our way along the creeks or -through the woods towards the Mbondemo village. Now and then we walked -freely through the wide openings which the elephants had made. The -rushing of a herd of elephants effects quite a clearing in the forest. -On we went, till finally we came to a place where a great number of -large trees had been prostrated. Wherever we looked, trees were lying -on the ground, many of them of enormous size. As I looked I heard, not -far off, a tremendous crash--a most awful noise. I could not conjecture -what was the matter. It turned out that a tree had come down; and as it -fell, being a huge one, it crushed a dozen others around it, and each -as it broke gave a great crash, so that the combined effect was awful -to hear. - -We had to go through these fallen trees; and what tough work it was! I -never had seen anything like it. Now we had to climb on a fallen tree -and follow its trunk; then we had to come down, and were entangled in -its branches or in those of other trees. At other times we had to creep -under them. I was continually afraid that my gun would be fired off by -some creepers or boughs getting hold of the trigger. - -At last, when my patience was entirely gone, and my few clothes -literally hanging in ribbons about me, my legs sadly wounded, and my -face and hands scratched, we arrived at the camp of the Mbondemos, -situated almost at the foot of the mountain. - -These mountains were covered with an immense forest; and so thick were -the trees that no open view could be obtained in any direction. The -mountains ended somewhere in the interior, no one knew where, but this -they knew, that it was near the home of the Fans, a cannibal tribe, -and that elephants were plentiful, and gorillas were occasionally -seen there. This encampment of the Mbondemos was called an Olako. -There was not a house in the camp, and it was a romantic scene to look -at. Scattered under huge trees, on the edge of the woods, were leafy -shelters, opening towards the forest. Under these the people lived. -A few sticks put close together formed their beds. They contrived to -sleep upon them, and I did the same. I assure you that they were hard -enough, and reminded me that a mattress was a very good thing. Every -family had its fire prepared beside the beds; and around these fires in -the evening they clustered, men, women, and children. - -The chief of this Mbondemo encampment was called Mbéné, and I liked him -very much. He was very kind to me, and always tried to furnish me with -food. There was scarcity of provisions, at the time, in the camp of the -Mbondemos. There were no plantain and cassada fields near, and often -I had to go without breakfast or dinner. The people lived chiefly on -the nuts of the forest, and at that season of the year these were very -scarce. - -Poor Mbéné said they had very little to eat, but would give me what -they could. I had carried with me a few little crackers, which I found -very precious, more precious than gold, and which I reserved for time -of sickness; but one by one they disappeared. I looked at them every -time I took one; but I felt so hungry that I could not refrain from -eating them. - -Have you known what hunger is--real craving hunger? I can assure you it -is a dreadful feeling. - -During that time of the year, this people had half the time nothing to -eat but the nut of a kind of palm. - -This nut was so bitter I could scarcely eat it. It is shaped like an -egg, with rounded ends. To prepare it for eating, it is divested of its -husk, and soaked in water for twenty-four hours, when it loses part of -its exceedingly bitter taste, and becomes tolerably palatable, that -is, to a starving man. Sometimes hunger will make them eat the nut -without soaking it. I have done so myself, when lost in the forest. It -is dreadfully disagreeable. - -Now and then, the women succeeded in getting a few little fish in the -streams, and gave me some. I could bear a good deal, for I had firmly -resolved to go into the cannibal country. - -These Mbondemos are continually moving their villages. Mbéné has moved -his village three times within a few years. I asked him why he made -these frequent changes. He said he moved the first time because a man -had died, and the place was "not good" after that event. The second -time he was forced to move because they had cut down all the palm -trees, and would get no more mimbo (palm wine), a beverage of which -they are excessively fond. They tap the palm, just as the maple tree is -tapped in America, only they tap the tree at the top. This palm wine -has somewhat of a milky colour; and, when drunk in great quantity, it -intoxicates. The palm trees are very plentiful all over this part of -the country, and it seems easier for them to move than to take care of -the trees surrounding their settlements, useful as they are to them; -for they furnish not only the wine they love, but the bitter nut I -mentioned before, which often keeps them from actual starvation. When -the tree is cut down they get what we call the palm cabbage which grows -at the top. When cooked this palm cabbage is very good. - -A country which has plenty of palm trees, plenty of game, a good river -or rivulet, and plenty of fish, is the country for a Mbondemo settler -or squatter. - -In these forests there is a vine or creeper which I might call the -traveller's vine. If thirsty you may cut it, and within less than a -minute a tumblerful of water will come out of it. This vine hangs -about in the forest, and seemed to me to grow without leaves. What a -capital thing it would be if water were not abundant in this country! -The water procured from it has hardly any taste, and is perfectly pure -and limpid. - -Being unable to endure the continual hunger, I called Mbéné, and told -him that his place had no food to give, and he must take me to a -country where there was something to eat, and which would be on my way -to the Fan country. Good Mbéné said, "Spirit, I will try the best I can -to take you where you want to go. I will send some of my people with -you." - -In the meantime, Dayoko's people had all returned to their village. -These forests had no game. I spent hour after hour scouring the forest, -but I could see nothing, except birds, some of which were extremely -pretty. I am afraid that if I had succeeded in killing a snake I should -have eaten it, as I felt desperately hungry. I did not like the bitter -nuts; so it was agreed that Mbéné's brother Mcomo, together with -several of his people, should accompany me as far as the country of the -Fan tribe. I could hardly believe such good news to be true. - -Mbéné's wife always cooked my food. She was a dear good old woman, and -I gave her a fine necklace of beads when I left. She was delighted -with my present. They were big white porcelain beads of the size of a -pigeon's egg. One day Mbéné succeeded in getting a fowl for me. His -wife cooked it; she made soup, and put plenty of cayenne pepper into -it. I had also some plantain. How I enjoyed this meal! the more so that -it was probably the last I should get for a good many days, unless we -were unusually lucky, and should kill some antelopes or elephants on -our road to the Fan country. - -Elephant meat is execrable, as you would say on tasting it. But as you -may not have the chance I will tell you by-and-by how it tastes. - -As much food as possible was collected for our journey, and at last -everything was ready. - -[Illustration] - - [Illustration: KILLING THE SNAKE. - CHAP. VII.] - - - - -[Illustration] - -CHAPTER VII. - - OUR JOURNEY THROUGH THE WILDERNESS CONTINUED--A REBELLION IN - CAMP--NOTHING TO EAT--I SHOOT A FISH AND MISS AN ELEPHANT--I KILL A - BIG SNAKE, AND THE OTHERS EAT HIM--MY FIRST SIGHT OF GORILLAS. - - -Before we renewed our journey the natives had done all they could to -gather provisions; but the result was poor enough. By going to distant -villages they had succeeded in getting a few bunches of plantain. - -Mcomo, Mbéné's brother, backed out. He said he was not going into the -cannibal country to be eaten up. But I must tell you that Mbéné had -some friends among the cannibals. And he sent with me two of his sons -called Miengai and Makinda, together with twelve good hunters, and six -women who were the wives of some of the men. The women carried the -provisions, etc. - -I took seventy pounds of shot and bullets, nineteen pounds of powder, -ten pounds of arsenic for preserving the birds and animals I should -kill, for I knew I should probably succeed in getting some new -specimens. - -When all was arranged, when everybody had taken leave of all his -friends, for this was a very great journey, and they came back -half-a-dozen times to take leave over again, or say something they had -forgotten, when all the shouting and quarrelling about who should carry -the smallest load was over, we at last got away. - -We had left the camp of Mbéné behind us at a distance of about five -miles when we came to the banks of a little river called the Noonday, a -clear and beautiful stream. I was ahead of the party with Miengai, and -was waiting for the others to come up before crossing. As we stood on -the banks I spied a fish swimming along. Immediately the thought came -into my mind, "How nicely that fish would taste if I could get it and -boil it in a pot over the fire!" I fired a charge of small shot into -it; but no sooner had I pulled the trigger than I heard a tremendous -crash on the opposite bank about six or seven yards off. Small trees -were torn down violently, and then we heard the shrill trumpetings of a -party of frightened elephants. They were probably sleeping or standing -in a dead silence on the opposite bank in the jungle. I was sorry I had -fired, for after crossing the stream we might have killed an elephant. -Poor Miengai was terribly vexed. "I am sure," said he, "they had big -tusks of ivory." - -Our party, as soon as they heard the gun, came up in haste, and asked -what was the matter. When they heard the story they began to lament our -not killing an elephant; for then we should have had meat enough for -the whole journey; and they shouted with one accord: "Elephant meat is -so good!" - -This exclamation made me wonder how an elephant steak would taste. - -On we went, and got fairly into the mountainous country. The hills -became steeper as we advanced. How tired I felt; for the diet at -Mbéné's camp had not strengthened me. These Mbondemos had a great -advantage over me. They used their bare feet almost as deftly as -monkeys, and hence got their foothold more easily than I. - -Miengai and I were in advance. All at once he made me a sign to keep -very still. I thought he had discovered a herd of elephants, or seen -the traces of an enormous leopard. He cocked his gun; I cocked mine; -the other men did the same; and there we stood in perfect silence, for -at least five minutes. Suddenly Miengai sent a "hurrah" echoing through -the forest. It was immediately answered by shouts from many voices not -very far off, but whose owners were hidden from us by huge rocks and -trees. Miengai replied with the fierce shout of the Mbondemo warriors, -and was again answered. Thinking we were going to have a general fight, -I looked carefully after my powder flask and my bullets, and found they -were all right. Going a little farther on, we came in sight of the -encampment of a large party, who proved to be some of Mbéné's people -just returning from a trading expedition to the interior. Two men of -this camp offered to go with us. Their names were Ngolai and Yeava. We -consented to take them. - -What a journey it was! Nothing but thick woods to struggle through, -hills to climb, rivers to cross, and nearly all the time it rained; -in fact, I was wet from morning to night. How glad I was when, in the -evening, we had made our camp, and built great fires! For my part, I -had three fires lit about my bed of leaves; and in the evening I always -hung up my clothes to dry, so as to have them ready for the next day. - -One morning my men came to tell me they were tired, and would not go a -step farther unless I gave them more cloth. - -They seemed in earnest; and I began to question myself whether they -meant to plunder me or to leave me in these mountains. To be left thus -alone would have been almost certain death. To give them what they -asked was to show them I was afraid of them. If they knew I was afraid -of them I did not know what they might next do. So I determined to put -on a bold front. Taking my two revolvers in my hand, I said: "I will -not give you any more cloth. I will not let you leave me, because your -father Mbéné has given you to me to accompany me to the Fan tribe. You -must therefore go with me, or" (here I motioned with my pistols) "there -will be war between us. But," said I, "this is a very hard road, and at -the end of the journey I will give you something more." - -This satisfied them, and we again resumed our journey. Up, and up, -and up we struggled, and now we began to meet with immense boulders. -Not the scream of a bird, or the shrill cry of a monkey, broke the -stillness of the dark solitude. Nothing was heard but the panting -breaths of our party as we ascended the hills. - -At last we came to an immense mountain torrent, which rushed down the -hillside with fearful force, and was white with foam. Its course was -full of huge granite boulders, which lay about as though the Titans -had been playing at skittles in that country. Against these the angry -waters dashed as if they would carry all before them, and, breaking, -threw the milky spray up to the very tree-tops. As I looked up the -torrent seemed to pour its foaming waters directly down upon us. - -This was the head of the Ntambounay river which I had ascended in a -canoe, and on the banks of which I came near being murdered in the -Shekiani village. What a change had taken place in it! Here a canoe -would be dashed into a hundred pieces against the rocks. - -I was so thirsty and tired that I went to the river's bank, and drank a -few handfuls of the pure, clean cold water. - -After resting a little while, we continued our course till we reached -the top of a very high mountain, whence I could see all the country -round. How wild and desolate it looked! Nothing but forest and -mountains stretching away as far as the eye could reach. - -I was sitting under a very large tree, when, suddenly looking up, I saw -an immense serpent coiled upon the branch of a tree just above me; and -I really could not tell whether he was not about to spring upon me and -entangle me in his huge folds. You may well believe that I very quickly -"stood from under." I rushed out, and taking good aim with my gun, I -shot my black friend in the head. He let go his hold, tumbled down with -great force, and after writhing convulsively for a time, he lay before -me dead. He measured thirteen feet in length, and his ugly fangs proved -that he was venomous. - -My men cut off the head of the snake, and divided the body into as many -pieces as there were people. Then they lighted a fire, and roasted and -ate it on the spot. They offered me a piece; but, though very hungry, -I declined. When the snake was eaten I was the only individual of the -company that had an empty stomach; I could not help reflecting on the -disadvantage it is sometimes to have been born and bred in a civilized -country, where snakes are not accounted good eating. - -We now began to look about the ruins of the village near which we sat. -A degenerate kind of sugar-cane was growing on the very spot where the -houses had formerly stood. I made haste to pluck some of this, and chew -it for the little sweetness it had. While thus engaged my men perceived -what instantly threw us all into the greatest excitement. Here and -there the cane was beaten down or torn up by the roots; and, lying -about, were fragments which had evidently been chewed. There were also -footprints to be seen, which looked almost like those of human beings. -What could this mean? My men looked at each other in silence, and -muttered, "Nguyla!" (Gorillas!). - -It was the first time I had seen the footprints of these wild men -of the woods, and I cannot tell you how I felt. Here was I now, it -seemed, on the point of meeting, face to face, that monster, of whose -ferocity, strength, and cunning the natives had told me so much, and -which no white man before had hunted. My heart beat till I feared its -loud pulsations would alarm the gorilla. I wondered how they looked. I -thought of what Hanno the Carthaginian navigator said about the wild -hairy men he had met on the West Coast of Africa more than two thousand -years ago. - -By the tracks it was easy to know that there must have been several -gorillas in company. We prepared at once to follow them. - -The women were terrified. They thought their end had come--that the -gorilla would be soon upon them. So, before starting in search of the -monster, we left two or three men to take care of them and reassure -them. Then the rest of us looked once more carefully at our guns; -for the gorilla gives you no time to reload, and woe to him whom he -attacks! We were fortunately armed to the teeth. - -My men were remarkably silent, for they were going on an expedition -of more than usual risk; for the male gorilla is literally the king -of the forest--the king of the equatorial regions. He and the crested -lion of Mount Atlas are the two fiercest and strongest beasts of that -continent. The lion of South Africa cannot be compared with either for -strength or courage. - -As we left the camp, the men and women left behind crowded together, -with fear written on their faces. Miengai, Ngolai, and Makinda set -out for the hunt in one party; myself and Yeava formed another. We -determined to keep near each other; so that in case of trouble, or in a -great emergency, we might be at hand to help one another. For the rest, -silence and a sure aim were the only cautions to be given. - -As we followed the footprints, we could easily see that there were -four or five of them, though none appeared very large. We saw where -the gorillas had run along on all fours, which is their usual mode of -progression. We could perceive also where, from time to time, they had -seated themselves to chew the canes they had borne off. The chase began -to be very exciting. - -We had agreed to return to the women and their guards and consult about -what was to be done, after we had discovered the probable course of -the gorilla; and this was now done. To make sure of not alarming our -prey, we moved the whole party forward a little way, to some leafy -huts, built by passing traders, and which served us for shelter and -concealment. Here we bestowed the women, whose lively fear of the -terrible gorilla arises from various stories current among the tribes, -of women having been carried off into the woods by the fierce animal. -Then we prepared once more to set out on our chase, this time hopeful -to get a shot. - -Looking once more to our guns, we started off. I confess that I was -never more excited in my life. For years I had heard of the terrible -roar of the gorilla, of its vast strength, of its fierce courage when -only wounded. I knew that we were about to pit ourselves against an -animal which even the enormously large leopards of the mountains fear, -which the elephants let alone, and which perhaps has driven away the -lion out of this territory; for the "king of beasts," so numerous -elsewhere in Africa, is not met with in the land of the gorilla. - -We descended a hill, crossed a stream on a fallen log, crept under the -trees, and presently approached some huge boulders of granite. In the -stream we had crossed we could see plainly signs that the animals had -just crossed it, for the water was still disturbed. Our eyes wandered -everywhere to get a glimpse of our prey. Alongside of the granite -blocks lay an immense dead tree, and about this the gorillas were -likely to be. - -Our approach was very cautious; I wish you could have seen us. We were -divided into two parties. Makinda led one, and I the other. We were to -surround the granite block, behind which Makinda supposed the gorillas -to be hiding. With guns cocked and ready we advanced through the dense -wood, which cast a gloom, even in midday, over the whole scene. I -looked at my men, and saw that they were even more excited than myself. - -Slowly we pressed on through the dense bush, dreading almost to -breathe, for fear of alarming the beasts. Makinda was to go to the -right of the rock, while I took the left. Unfortunately he and his -party circled it at too great a distance. The watchful animals saw -him. Suddenly I was startled by a strange, discordant, half human, -devilish cry, and beheld four young and half-grown gorillas running -towards the deep forest. I was not ready. We fired, but hit nothing. -Then we rushed on in pursuit; but they knew the woods better than we. -Once I caught a glimpse of one of the animals again; but an intervening -tree spoiled my mark, and I did not fire. We pursued them till we were -exhausted, but in vain. The alert beasts made good their escape. When -we could pursue no more we returned slowly to our camp, where the women -were anxiously expecting us. - -I protest I felt almost like a murderer when I saw the gorilla this -first time. As they ran on their hind legs, with their heads down, -their bodies inclined forward, their whole appearance was that of hairy -men running for their lives. Add to all this their cry, so awful, yet -with something human in its discordance, and you will cease to wonder -that the natives have the wildest superstitions about these "wild men -of the woods." - -In our absence the women had made large fires, and prepared the camp. I -changed my clothes, which had become drenched by the frequent torrents -and puddles we ran through in our eager pursuit. Then we sat down to -our supper, which had been cooked in the meantime. I noticed that all -my plantains were gone--eaten up. What was to become of us in the great -forest? I had only two or three biscuits, which I kept in case of -actual starvation or sickness. - -As we lay by the fire in the evening before going to sleep, the -adventure of the day was talked over to those who had not gone with us; -and, of course, there followed some curious stories of the gorillas. I -listened in silence. - -One of the men told a story of two Mbondemo women who were walking -together through the woods, when suddenly an immense gorilla stepped -into the path, and, clutching one of the women, bore her off in spite -of the screams and struggles of both. The other woman returned to the -village much frightened, and told the story. Of course her companion -was given up for lost. Great was the surprise when, a few days -afterwards, she returned to her home. - -"Yes," said one of the men, "that was a gorilla inhabited by a spirit." -This explanation was received by a general grunt of approval. - -One of the men told how, some years ago, a party of gorillas were found -in a cane-field tying up the sugar-cane in regular bundles, preparatory -to carrying it away. The natives attacked them, but were routed, -and several killed, while others were carried off prisoners by the -gorillas; but in a few days they returned home, not uninjured indeed, -for the nails of their fingers and toes had been torn off by their -captors. - -Then several people spoke up, and mentioned names of dead men whose -spirits were known to be dwelling in gorillas. - -Finally came the story that is current among all the tribes who are -acquainted with the habits of the gorilla, that this animal will -hide himself in the lower branches of a tree, and there lie in wait -for people who go to and fro. When one passes sufficiently near, the -gorilla grasps the luckless fellow with his powerful feet, which he -uses like giants' hands, and, drawing the man up in to the tree, he -quietly chokes him there. - -Hunger and starvation began to tell upon us severely. When we started -I did not calculate on meeting with gorillas. I had eaten all my sea -bread. There was not a particle of food among us, and no settlement -near us. I began to feel anxious for fear that we should die. Berries -were scarce; and nuts were hardly to be found. The forest seemed -deserted. There was not even a bird to kill. To make matters worse, we -had been misled. We were lost--lost in the great forest!--and we failed -to reach a certain settlement where we had expected to arrive. - -Travelling on an empty stomach is too exhausting to be very long -endured. The third day I awoke feeble, but found that one of the men -had killed a monkey. This animal, roughly roasted on the coals, tasted -delicious. How I wished we had ten monkeys to eat! but how glad and -grateful we were for that single one. - -Presently, Makinda, looking up, discovered a beehive. He smoked the -bees out, and I divided the honey. There might have been a fight over -this sweet booty had I not interposed and distributed it in equal -shares. Serving myself with a portion not bigger than I gave the rest, -I at once sat down, and devoured honey, wax, dead bees, worms, dirt, -and all; I was so hungry. I was only sorry we had not more. - -I had really a hard time getting through the old elephant tracks, which -were the best roads through the jungle. The men seemed to have lost -their way. We saw no animals, but found several gorillas' tracks. - -At last my men began to talk more cheerfully; they knew where they -were: and, soon after, I saw the broad leaves of the plantain, the -forerunner of an African town. But, alas! as we approached, we saw no -one coming to meet us; and when we reached the place we found only a -deserted village. But even for this how thankful I was! Since I left -Dayoko I had experienced nothing but hunger and starvation; and these -were the first human habitations we had met. - -Presently, however, some Mbicho people made their appearance. They were -relatives of Mbéné, and their village was close by. They gave us some -plantains, but no fowls. I wished very much to get a fowl. I felt -gouamba (which means hunger) for meat, and knew that a good warm fowl -broth would have done me a great deal of good. We spent the evening in -the houses, drying and warming ourselves. It was much better than the -forest, even if it was only a deserted town. - -I asked if we should ever reach the cannibal country, and found that, -with the exception of the Mbicho village near at hand, we were already -surrounded on three sides by Fan villages. - -I was too tired to rest. Besides, I was getting deep into the interior -of Africa, and was in the neighbourhood of the Fans, the most warlike -tribe that inhabited the country. So I barricaded my hut, got my -ammunition ready, saw that my guns were all right, and then lay awake -for a long time, before I could go to sleep. - -[Illustration] - - - - -[Illustration: KING ASTONISHED AT LOOKING-GLASS.] - -CHAPTER VIII. - - I ARRIVE AMONG THE CANNIBALS--THEIR SPEARS, BOWS, AND - BATTLE-AXES--THEY TAKE ME FOR A SPIRIT--THEIR KING SHAKES WHEN HE - SEES ME--I GIVE HIM A LOOKING-GLASS--IT ASTONISHES HIM. - - -We were, at last, near the Fan country. We had passed the last Mbichos -village, and were on our way to the villages of the _man-eaters_. - -I remember well the first Fan village I approached. It stood on the -summit of a high hill in the mountains. All its inhabitants were very -much excited when they perceived we were coming towards it, through the -plantation path; for the trees around the hill had been cut down. The -men were armed to the teeth, as we entered the village, and I knew not -whether hundreds of spears and poisoned arrows might not be thrown at -me, and I be killed on the spot. What dreadful spears those cannibals -had; they were all barbed. Each man had several in his hand; and, -besides, had a shield made of elephant's hide, to protect himself with. -Others were armed with huge knives, and horrible-looking battle-axes, -or with bows and poisoned arrows. - -Wild shouts of astonishment, which, for all I knew, were war-shouts, -greeted me as I entered the village. I must own that I felt not quite -at my ease. How wild and fierce these men looked! They were most -scantily dressed. When they shouted, they showed their teeth, which -were filed to a point, and coloured black. Their open mouths put me -uncomfortably in mind of a tomb; for how many human creatures each of -these men had eaten! - -How ugly the women looked! They were all tattooed, and nearly naked. -They fled with their children into their houses, as I passed through -the street, in which I saw, here and there, human bones lying about. -Yes, human bones from bodies that had been devoured by them! Such are -my recollections of my first entrance into a village of cannibals. - -The village was strongly fenced, or palisaded; and on the poles were -several skulls of human beings and of gorillas. There was but a single -street, about two-thirds of a mile long. On each side of this were low -huts, made of the bark of trees. - -I had hardly entered the village when I perceived some bloody remains, -which appeared to me to be human. Presently we passed a woman who was -running as fast as she could towards her hut. She bore in her hand a -piece of a human thigh, just as we should go to market and carry thence -a joint or steak. - -This was a very large village. At last we arrived at the palaver house. -Here I was left alone with Mbéné for a little while. There was great -shouting going on at a little distance, at the back of some houses. One -of them said they had been busy dividing the body of a dead man, and -that there was not enough for all. - -They flocked in presently, and soon I was surrounded by an immense -crowd. Not far from me was a ferocious-looking fellow. On one arm he -supported a very large shield, made of an elephant's hide, and of the -thickest part of the skin, while in his other hand he held a prodigious -war-knife, which he could have slashed through a man in a jiffy. - -Some in the crowd were armed with cross-bows, from which were shot -either iron-headed arrows, or the little, insignificant-looking, -but really most deadly darts, tipped with poison. These are made of -slender, harmless reeds, a foot long, whose sharpened ends are dipped -in a deadly vegetable poison, which these people know how to make. -These poisoned darts are so light that they would blow away, if simply -laid in the groove of the bow. Hence they use a kind of sticky gum to -hold them. - -The handle of the bow is ingeniously split; and, by a little peg, that -acts as a trigger, the bow-string is disengaged. The bow is very stiff -and strong, and sends the arrow to a great distance. As you see by the -representation of a Fan bowman, they have to sit down and apply both -feet to the middle of the bow, while they pull with all their strength -on the string to bend it back. - -These little poisoned arrows are much dreaded by them, and are very -carefully kept in little bags, which are made of the skin of wild -animals. - -Some bore on their shoulders the terrible war-axe. A single blow of -this axe suffices to split a human skull. I saw that some of these -axes, as well as their spears and other ironwork, were beautifully -ornamented. - -The war-knife, which hangs by their side, is a terrible weapon. It is -used in hand-to-hand conflict, and is designed to be thrust through the -enemy's body. There was also another sort of huge knife used by some of -the men in the crowd before me. It was a foot long, about eight inches -wide, and is used to cut through the shoulders of an adversary. It must -do tremendous execution. - -A few of the men had also a very singular pointed axe, which is thrown -from a distance. When thrown, it strikes with the point down, and -inflicts a terrible wound. They handle it with great dexterity. The -object aimed at with this axe is the head. The point penetrates to the -brain, and kills the victim immediately. - -The spears were six or seven feet long, and are ingeniously adapted to -inflict terrible wounds. They are thrown with an accuracy and a force -which never ceased to astonish me. The long, slender staff fairly -whistles through the air; and woe to the man who is within twenty or -thirty yards of their reach. - -Most of the knives and axes were ingeniously sheathed in covers made -of snake or antelope skins, or of human skin. These sheaths were slung -round the shoulder or neck by cords, which permit the weapon to hang at -the side, out of the wearer's way. - -These Fan warriors had no armour. Their only weapon of defence is the -huge shield of elephant hide, of which I spoke to you. It is three and -a half feet long, by two and a half feet wide. - -Besides their weapons, many of the men wore a small knife, as a -table-knife, or jack-knife. - -From this description of the men by whom I was surrounded, you may -judge with what amazement I looked around me, with my guns in my -hands. It was a grand sight to see such a number of stalwart, martial, -fierce-looking fellows, fully armed, and ready for any desperate fray, -gathered together. - -Finer-looking savages I never saw; and I could easily believe them to -be brave; and the completeness of their war-like equipments proved that -fighting is a favourite pastime with them. No wonder they are dreaded -by all their neighbours! - -Here was I, at this time only a lad, alone in the midst of them. - -Presently came the king, a ferocious-looking fellow. His body was -naked. His skin in front was painted red, and his chest, stomach, and -back were tattooed in a rude but effective manner. He was covered with -charms, and he wore round his neck a necklace made with leopard's -teeth. He was fully armed. Most of the Fans wore queues; but the queue -of Ndiayai, the king, was the biggest of all, and terminated in two -tails, in which were strung brass rings. His beard was plaited in -several plaits, which contained white beads. His teeth were filed sharp -to a point. He looked like a perfect glutton of human flesh. - -I looked around me in a cool, impassive manner. Ndiayai, the king, -fairly shook at the sight of me. He had refused to come and see me, at -first, from a belief that he would die in three days after setting eyes -on me. But Mbéné had persuaded him to come. Ndiayai was accompanied by -the queen, the ugliest woman I ever saw, and very old. She was called -Mashumba. She was nearly naked, her only covering being a strip of -cloth about four inches wide, made of the soft bark of a tree, and dyed -red. Her body was tattooed in the most fanciful manner; her skin, from -long exposure, had become rough and knotty. She wore two enormous iron -anklets, and had, in her ears, a pair of copper rings, two inches in -diameter. I could easily put my little fingers in the holes through -which the earrings passed. - -The people looked at me, wondered at my hair, but never ceased to look -at my feet. "Look at the strange being," said they to each other, "his -feet are not of the colour of his face, and he has no toes!" - -Finally, the king said to Mbéné that, when surrounded by his people, he -was not afraid of anybody. - -I could well believe him. When fighting they must look perfect devils. - -When night came I entered my house, and looked about to see how I could -barricade myself for the night; for I did not fancy putting myself -entirely at the mercy of these savage Fans. Their weapons had been -sufficient to show me that they were men who were not afraid to fight. -I told Mbéné to send for Ndiayai. The king came, and I presented him -a large bunch of white beads, a looking-glass, a file, fire-steels, -and some gun-flints. His countenance beamed with joy. I never saw such -astonishment as he exhibited when I held the looking-glass before -his face. At first he did not know what to make of it, and did not -want to take the glass, till Mbéné told him that he had one. He put -his tongue out, and he saw it reflected in the looking-glass. Then -he shut one eye, and made faces; then he showed his hands before the -looking-glass--one finger--two fingers--three fingers. He became -speechless, and with all I had given him, he went away as "happy as a -king"; and "every inch a (savage) king" he was. - -Shortly afterwards, Mashumba, the queen, thinking that probably I had -something for her, also came and brought me a basketful of plantains. -They were cooked. At once the idea rushed into my mind, that perhaps -the very same pot that cooked the plantains had cooked a Fan's head in -the morning; and I began to have a horrible loathing of the flesh-pots -of these people. I would not have cooked in their pots for the world. - -A little after dark, all became silent in the village. I barred my -little bit of a door as well as I could with my chest, and, lying down -on that dreadful Fan bed, I placed my gun by my side, and tried hard, -but in vain, to go to sleep. I wondered how many times human flesh had -entered the hut I was in. I thought of all I had seen during the day, -which I have related to you. The faces of those terrible warriors, and -the implements of war, were before my eyes though it was pitch dark. - -Was I afraid? Certainly not. What feeling was it that excited me? I -cannot tell you. It was certainly not fear; for if anyone the next -day had offered to take me back where I came from, I should have -declined the offer. Probably I was agitated by the novel and horrible -sights that had greeted my eyes, and which exceeded all my previous -conceptions of Africa. Now and then I thought that as these men not -only killed people, but ate them also, they might perhaps be curious to -try how I tasted. - -Hour after hour passed, and I could not get to sleep. I said my bed -was a dreadfully bad one. It was a frame composed of half a dozen -large round bamboos. I might as well have tried to sleep on a pile of -cannonballs. Finally, I succeeded in going to sleep, holding my gun -tightly under my arm. - -When I got up in the morning, and went out at the back of the house, I -saw a pile of ribs, leg and arm bones, and skulls, piled together. The -cannibals must have had a grand fight, not long before, and devoured -all their prisoners of war. - -In what was I to wash my face? I resolved at last not to wash at all. - - - - -[Illustration: ENTRAPPING THE ELEPHANT.] - -CHAPTER IX. - - AN ELEPHANT HUNT. - - -After a few days the Fans began to get accustomed to me, and I to them; -and we were the best friends in the world. - -They are great hunters. One day a woman returning from the plantations -brought news, that she had seen elephants; and that one of the plantain -fields had been entirely destroyed by them. This was an event of common -occurrence in the country; for the elephants are not very particular, -and whatever they like they take; not caring a bit how much hunger they -may occasion among the poor natives. - -When the news arrived, a wild shout of joy spread among the villagers. -The grim faces of the Fans smiled; and in doing so, showed their ugly -filed teeth. "We are going to kill elephants," they all shouted. "We -are going to have plenty of meat to eat," shrieked the women. - -So in the evening a war-dance took place; a war-dance of cannibals! It -was the wildest scene I ever saw. It was pitch-dark; and the torches -threw a dim light around us, and showed the fantastic forms of these -wild men. Really it was a wild scene. They were all armed as if they -were going to war. How they gesticulated! What contortions they made! -What a tumult they raised! How their wild shouts echoed from hill to -hill, and died away in the far distance! They looked like demons. Their -skins were painted of different colours; and, as the dancing went on, -their bodies became warm, and shone as if they had been dipped in oil. - -Suddenly a deafening shout of the whole assemblage seemed to shake the -earth. Their greatest warrior (Leopard) came to dance. Leopard was, it -appears, the bravest of them all. He had killed more people in war than -anybody else. He had given more human food to his fellow-townsmen than -many other warriors put together. Hence they all admired and praised -him; and a song describing his feats of arms was sung by those who -surrounded him. How ferocious he looked! He was armed to the teeth. -He had a spear like one of those I have already described. A long -knife hung by its side, and the hand that held the shield carried a -battle-axe also. In dancing, he acted at times as if he were defending -himself against an attack; at other times, as if he were himself -attacking somebody. Once or twice I really thought he meant to throw -his spear at someone. I could hardly breathe while looking at him. -He appeared actually to be a demon. Finally he stopped from sheer -exhaustion, and others took his place. - -The next day the men furbished up their arms. I myself cleaned my guns, -and got ready for the chase; so that, if I could get a chance, I might -send a bullet through an elephant. - -The war-dish was cooked. It is a mixture of herbs, and is supposed to -inspire people with courage. They rubbed their bodies with it, and -then we started. There were about five hundred men. After leaving the -village we divided into several parties. Each party was well acquainted -with the forest, and knew just where to go. The march was conducted -in perfect silence, so that we might not alarm the elephants. After -proceeding six hours we arrived not far from the hunting-ground where -the elephants were supposed to be. The Fans built shelters, and these -were hardly finished when it began to rain very hard. - -The next day some Fans went out to explore the woods, and I joined the -party. The fallen trees, the broken-down limbs, the heavy footprints, -and the trampled underbrush, showed plainly that there had been many -elephants about. There were no regular walks, and they had strayed at -random in the forest. - -When the elephants are pleased with a certain neighbourhood, they -remain there a few days. When they have eaten all the food they like, -and nothing remains, they go on to some other place. - -The forest here, as everywhere else, was full of rough, strong, -climbing plants, many of which reach to the top of the tallest trees. -They are of every size; some bigger than a man's thigh, while many are -as large as the ropes of which the rigging of a ship is made. These -creepers the natives twist together; and, after working very hard, they -succeed in constructing a huge fence, or obstruction. Of course, it -is not sufficient to hold the elephant; but when he gets entangled in -its meshes, it is strong enough to check him in his flight, till the -hunters can have time to kill him. When an elephant is once caught, -they surround the huge beast, and put an end to his struggles by -incessant discharges of their spears and guns. - -While the others worked, I explored the forest. Seeing that the -men were careful in avoiding a certain place, I looked down on the -ground, and saw nothing. Then, looking up, I saw an immense piece of -wood suspended by the wild creepers, high in the air; and, fixed in -it at intervals, I saw several large, heavy, sharp pointed pieces of -iron pointing downwards. The rope that holds up this contrivance is -so arranged that the elephant cannot help touching it, if he passes -underneath. Then the _hanou_ (such is the name given to the trap) is -loosened, it falls with a tremendous force on his back; the iron points -pierce his body, and the piece of wood, in falling, generally breaks -his spine. - -I also saw in different places, large, deep ditches, intended as -pitfalls for the elephant. When he runs away, or roams around at night, -he often falls into these pits, and that is the end of him; for, in -falling, he generally breaks his legs. Sometimes, when the natives go -and visit the pit they have made, they find nothing but the bones of -the elephant and his ivory tusks. - -The fence that the natives had made must have been several miles long, -and in many places was several rows deep; and now there were elephant -pits beside, and the _hanous_. - -We were, you must remember, in a mountainous country; and I could -scarcely believe my eyes when I saw plainly the footprints of this -animal where I myself had to hold to the creepers to be able to ascend. - -When everything was ready, part of the men went silently and hid -themselves upon the limbs or besides the trunks of trees near the -barrier or "tangle." Others of us took a circuitous route in an -opposite direction from that in which we had come. After we had got -miles away from the "tangle," we formed a chain as long in extent as -the fence, and moved forward, forming a semi-circle, with the men ten -or twenty yards apart from each other. - -Presently, all along the line the hunting horns were sounded, wild -shouts were sent up, and, making all the noise they could, the -Fans advanced in the direction of the "tangle." The elephants were -entrapped. Hearing the noise, of course they moved away from us, -breaking down everything before them in their flight. If they tried to -go to the right, they heard the same wild shouts; if they tried to go -to the left, they heard the same. There was no other way for them to -go but straight ahead; and there, though they did not know it, were -the tangle, the pits, and the _hanous_. They were going to surer death -than if they had tried to break our lines; for then most, if not all -of them, would have escaped. We were too far from each other to hinder -them. - -Onward we pressed, the circle of those giving chase becoming smaller -and smaller, and the crashing of the underbrush more distinct, as we -approached the elephants in their flight. The men's countenances became -excited. They got their spears in readiness; and soon we came in sight -of the tangles. What an extraordinary sight lay before me; I could -distinguish one elephant, enraged, terrified, tearing at everything -with his trunk and feet, but all in vain! The tough creepers of the -barrier in no instance gave way before him. Spear after spear was -thrown at him. The Fans were everywhere, especially up on the trees, -where they were out of the reach of the elephant. The huge animal began -to look like a gigantic porcupine, he was stuck so full of spears. Poor -infuriated beast! I thought he was crazy. Every spear that wounded him -made him more furious! But his struggles were in vain. He had just -dropped down when I came close to him; and to end his sufferings, I -shot him through the ear. After a few convulsions of limb all became -quiet. He was dead. - -Some of the elephants had succeeded in going through the tangle, and -were beyond reach. - -Four elephants had been slain; and I was told that a man had been -killed by one of the elephants, which turned round and charged his -assailants. This man did not move off in time, and was trampled under -foot by the monstrous beast. Fortunately, the elephant got entangled; -and, in an instant, he was covered with spears, and terribly wounded. -After much loss of blood he dropped down lifeless. - -I am sure you will agree with me, after the description I have given -of a Fan elephant hunt, that the men of this tribe are gifted with -remarkable courage and presence of mind. - -They have certain rules for hunting the elephant. These tell you -never to approach an elephant, except from behind; he cannot turn -very fast, and you have, therefore, time to make your escape. He -generally rushes blindly forward. Great care must also be taken that -the strong creepers, which are so fatal to the elephant, do not also -catch and entangle the hunters themselves. A man lying in wait to spear -an elephant should always choose a stout tree, in order that the -infuriated beast, should he charge at it, may not uproot it. - -The next day, there was a dance round the elephant, while the -fetich-man cut a piece from one of the hind legs. This was intended for -their idol. The meat was cooked in presence of the fetich-man, and of -those who had speared the elephant. As soon as all the meat had been -cooked they danced round it; and a piece was sent into the woods for -the spirit to feed upon, if he liked. The next day, the meat was all -cut up in small pieces, then hung up and smoked. - -The cooking and smoking lasted three days, and I can assure you it -is the toughest meat I ever tasted. Of course, like the Fans, I had -no other food; and for three days I ate nothing but elephant meat. I -wish I could give you a notion how it tastes; but really I do not know -what to compare it with. Beef, mutton, lamb, pork, venison, make not -the slightest approach to a resemblance: and as for poultry, such a -comparison would be positively aggravating! - -The proboscis being one of the favourite morsels, a large piece of it -was given to me. The foot is another part reputed to be a great dainty, -and two feet were sent me, together with a large piece of the leg for a -roast. - -But the meat was so tough that I had to boil it for twelve hours; -and then I believe it was as tough as ever; it seemed to be full of -gristle. So, the next day, I boiled it again for twelve hours; all my -trouble, however, was unavailing, for it was still hopelessly tough! I -may say, that the more I ate of elephant meat the more I got to dislike -it. I do not think I shall ever hanker after elephant steak as long -as I live. I wonder if you boys would like it? I wish I had some, and -could induce you to taste of it. I am inclined to think you would -agree with me, and never desire to renew your acquaintance with it. - -How glad I was when I returned to Ndiayai village; and no wonder, -for we had rain every day in the woods. As for the poor man who had -been killed by the elephant, his body was sent to another clan to be -devoured; for the cannibals do not eat their own people. - -[Illustration] - - - - -[Illustration: FAN BLACKSMITHS AT WORK.] - -CHAPTER X. - - LIFE AMONG THE CANNIBALS--CURIOUS MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS--COOKING - UTENSILS--A BLACKSMITH'S BELLOWS AND ANVIL--CANNIBAL DIET. - - -After we reached Ndiayai, I went back to my little hut, and found -everything I had left there. I had hidden my powder and shot in -different places, and had dug holes in which to hide my beads. - -The news had spread among the surrounding cannibal villages that the -spirit, as they called me, was still in the village of Ndiayai, and -the people flocked to see me. Among those who came to see me, was a -chief of the name of Oloko. He gave me the long war knife, of which you -have seen a drawing, and explained to me how it had several times gone -right through a man. - -Mbéné went away for a while, and left me entirely alone with these -cannibals. During his absence I studied the habits of these strange -people; and you may be sure that wherever I went I kept my eyes wide -open. - -By the way, I see I have omitted to give a description of the town of -King Ndiayai. It was a very large town, composed of a single street. -When I say a large town, I do not mean, of course, that it could bear -any comparison as to size with London, Paris, or New York. I mean that -it was a large town for this part of Africa. It contained five or six -hundred men. The houses were quite small, and were all made of the bark -of trees; none of them had windows. They were nearly all of the same -size. - -Strange to say, these Fans seemed to be very fond of music, and very -funny instruments they make use of. To hear some of their music would -make you laugh. They have not the slightest idea of what we consider -harmony in sound; but they evidently have a great liking for music -after their own notion. It is very much the same with their dancing. -They have not the slightest idea of the dances in use with us, such as -waltzes, galops, polkas, or quadrilles; and I am sure if they were to -see us dancing in our fashion, they would laugh quite as much as you -would laugh if you could see them capering in their uncouth style. - -Like all the savage tribes of Africans, they are very fond of the -tom-tom, or drum. Those drums are of different sizes, but many are -from four to six feet in length, and about ten inches in diameter at -one end, but only six or seven at the other. The wood is hollowed out -quite thin, and skins of animals are stretched tightly over the ends. -The drummer holds the tom-tom slantingly between his legs; and, with -two sticks, he beats furiously upon the larger end of the drum, which -is held uppermost. Sometimes they beat upon it with their hands. The -people form a circle round the tom-tom, and dance and sing, keeping -time with it. They often invited me to hear them. - -But now I am going to speak to you of a far more curious instrument. -It is called by these cannibals the handja; and I never saw it except -among their tribes. - -Ndiayai was very fond of hearing the handja, and I often went to his -shed to hear someone play upon it. Sometimes, on these occasions, -Ndiayai would come out surrounded by Queen Mashumba and some of his -other wives, and listen for an hour or two to the music of the handja. - -I give you a representation of the handja (_see_ p. 78), so you will -understand better when I describe it to you. - -It consists of a light reed frame, about three feet long, and eighteen -inches wide, in which are set, and securely fastened, a number of -hollow gourds. The handja I saw contained seven gourds. These gourds -are covered by strips of a hard, red wood, found in the forest. These -gourds and cylinders, as you see, are of different sizes, so graduated -that they form a regular series of notes. Each gourd has a little hole -which is covered with a skin thinner than parchment. And what kind of -skin do you think it was? It was the skin of the very large spider -which abounds in that country, and from which I should not care to -receive a bite, it is so poisonous. - -The performer sits down, with the frame across his knees, and strikes -the strips lightly with a stick. There are two sticks, one of hard -wood, the other of much softer wood. The instrument is played on the -same principle as a chime of bells, or an instrument used in France, -and which, perhaps, some of you have seen, composed of a series of -glasses. The tone of the handja is very clear and good, and though -their tunes were rude, they played them with considerable skill. - -[Illustration: THE HANDJA.] - -The Fans work iron better than any tribe I met with. They are very -good blacksmiths. Their warlike habits have made iron a very necessary -article to them. It is very plentiful in their mountainous country. - -Before you is a picture of two Fan blacksmiths. Look at the curious -bellows they have. It is made of two short, hollow cylinders of wood, -surmounted by skins, very well fitted on, and having an appropriate -valve for letting in the air. As you see, the bellows-blower is on his -knees, moving down these coverings with great rapidity. There are two -small wooden pipes, connected with two iron tubes which go into the -fire. - -The anvil, as you see in the picture, is a solid piece of iron. The -sharp end is stuck into the ground; and the blacksmith sits alongside -his anvil, and beats his iron with a singular-looking hammer, clumsy in -form, and with no handle; in fact it is merely made of a heavy piece of -iron. - -The blacksmiths sometimes spend many days in making a battle-axe, knife -or spear. They make, also, their own cooking utensils and water-jugs. -These are of the shape you see in the picture before you. They also -make their own pipes, for they are great smokers. Some of their pipes -are not at all ungraceful in shape. - -Besides the water-jug, they frequently use the calabash, as a vessel -to carry water in; and some of their calabashes are really pretty, and -very nicely ornamented. Some of the spoons, with which they eat their -human broth, are very beautiful. They are made of various woods, and -sometimes of ivory. - -It is quite sickening to think what horrible people these Fans are! -Such inveterate cannibals are they, that they even eat the poor -wretches who die of disease. As I was talking to the king one day, -some Fans brought in a dead body, which they had bought or bartered -for, in a neighbouring town, and which was to be divided among them. -I could see that the man had died of some disease; for the body was -very lean. They came round it with their knives; and Ndiayai left me to -superintend the distribution. I could not stand this; and when I saw -them getting ready, I left the spot, and went to my hut. Afterwards, I -could hear them growing noisy over the division of their horrid spoil. - -In fact, the Fans seem to be perfect ghouls. Those who live far in the -interior practise unblushingly their horrid custom of eating human -flesh. It appears they do not eat the dead of their own family, but -sell the corpse to some other clan, or make an agreement that when one -of their number dies they will return the body in exchange. - -Until I saw these things I could not believe a story I had often heard -related among the Mpongwe tribe, which is as follows: A party of Fans -once came down to the seashore to view the ocean. While there, they -actually stole a freshly-buried body from the cemetery, and cooked and -ate it. Another body was taken by them and conveyed into the woods, -where they cut it up, and smoked the flesh. These acts created a great -excitement among the Mpongwes. - -But you must not think that the Fans are continually eating human -flesh. They eat it when they can get it, but not every day. They kill -no one on purpose to be eaten. - -One day Ndiayai took me to an Osheba town, the king of which tribe -was his friend; and let me tell you that the Oshebas were also great -man-eaters, like the Fans, whom they greatly resemble in appearance. -The chief of that Osheba village was called Bienbakay. - -The Fans are the handsomest and most resolute-looking set of negroes -I have ever seen in the interior. Eating human flesh does not seem to -disagree with them, though I have since seen other Fan tribes whose men -had not the fine appearance of these mountaineers. Here, as everywhere -else, the character of the country doubtless has much to do with the -matter of bodily health and growth. These cannibals were living among -the mountains, and had come from still higher mountain regions, and -this accounts for their being so robust and hardy. - -The strangest thing in connection with the Fans, next to their hideous -cannibalism, is their constant encroachments upon the land westward. -Year by year they have been advancing nearer to the sea. Town after -town has been settled by them on the banks of the Gaboon river. In -fact, they seem to be a conquering race, driving every other tribe -before them. - -The colour of these people is dark brown rather than black. They feed -much upon manioc and the plantain. They have also two or three kinds of -yams, splendid sugar-cane, and squashes, all of which they cultivate -with considerable success. Manioc seemed to be the favourite food. -Enormous quantities of squashes are raised, chiefly for the seeds, -which, when pounded and prepared in their fashion, are much prized -by them, and I confess I relished this food myself. At a certain -season, when the squash is ripe, their villages seem covered with the -seeds, which everybody spreads out to dry. When dried they are packed -in leaves, and placed over the fireplaces in the smoke, to keep off -an insect which also feeds upon them. They are all suspended by a -cord, for, besides being infested by insects, they are subject to the -depredations of mice and rats, both of which are fond of them. - -The process of preparation is very tedious. A portion of the seeds is -boiled, and each seed is divested of its skin; then the mass of pulp is -put into a rude wooden mortar and pounded, a vegetable oil being mixed -with it before it is cooked. - -While on the subject of the food of the cannibals, I ought to mention -that they do not sell the bodies of their chiefs, kings, or great men; -these receive burial, and remain undisturbed. It is probable also that -they do not eat the corpses of people who die of special diseases. - - - - -[Illustration: NET-HUNTING.] - -CHAPTER XI. - - JOURNEY TO YOONGOOLAPAY--HUNTING WITH NETS--THE TERRIBLE BASHIKONAY - ANTS. - - -On my way to the seashore from the cannibal country, I had a good deal -of trouble. I had taken quite another route to come back; Mbéné and -his people left me on the banks of a river called the Noya, at the -village of a chief called Wanga. From there I pushed my way towards -Yoongoolapay, a village, whose chief is called Alapay. But before -reaching that place, we came one evening to a village called Ezongo. -The inhabitants, seeing our heavy loads, turned out with the greatest -amount of enthusiasm to receive me. Their ardour cooled somewhat when -they learned the contents of my packages, for they were the birds and -animals I had collected. The rascally chief, thinking I must place a -great value on things I had gone so far to get, determined to detain me -till I paid a heavy price to get away; and for a while things looked -as if I should have a good deal of trouble. The king, urged on by his -people, who seemed to be a greedy set of rascals, insisted on his -price, which would have left me empty-handed. - -At last my Mbicho guides from the Noya tried to settle the matter. They -were wise enough to get the king to come to me with them alone. I gave -the rascal a coat and an old shirt, and I told him, what was literally -true, that I was very poor, and could not pay what his people wanted. -After this palaver he went out at once and harangued the turbulent -extortioners. - -So I passed on safely to the village of my old friend, King Alapay, -whom I had known before, and who was very glad to see me again. He -asked me to stay some days; and being really worn out with constant -exposure, much anxiety, and frequent annoyance, I determined to do so. -His village is charmingly situated upon a high hill, which overlooks -the surrounding country, and has a beautiful stream skirting its base. -Moreover, I found the people very kind, peaceable, and hospitable. - -A considerable number of independent Mbicho villages lay within a -circuit of a few miles, the inhabitants of which lived in great harmony -with one another, having prudently intermarried to such a degree -that they really constitute a large family. I was made welcome among -them all, and spent some very pleasant days in hunting with these -kind-hearted people, and particularly in that kind of sport called -by them _asheza_, or net-hunting, a practice very common among the -bakalai, who called it _ashinga_. - -This singular sport is very much practised in this part of Africa; and, -as it is generally successful, it is a local amusement, and brings out -the best traits of the natives. I was always very fond of it. - -The ashinga nets are generally made of the fibres of the bark of a -kind of tree, which are twisted into stout cords. They are from sixty -to eighty feet long, and four to five feet high; and every well-to-do -village owns at least one. But, as few villages have enough nets to -make a great spread, it generally happens that several unite in a grand -hunt, and divide the proceeds, the game caught in any particular net -falling to the share of its owners. - -The first day we went out, the people of half a dozen villages met -together at an appointed place, the men of each bringing their nets. -Then we set out for a spot about ten miles off, where they had a -clearing in the dense woods, which had been used before, and was one of -their hunting-grounds. We moved along in silence, so as not to alarm -the animals which might be near our ground. The dogs--for dogs are used -in this hunt--were kept still, and close together. - -Finally, we arrived on the ground, and the work of spreading the toils -began. Each party stretched a single net, tying it up by creepers to -the lower branches of trees. As all worked in the same direction, and -each took care to join his net to that of his neighbour, in a very -short time we had a line of netting running in a wide half circle, and -at least half a mile long. - -This done, a party went out on each side, to guard against the chance -of escape, and the rest of us were ready to beat the bush. We started -at about a mile from the nets, and, standing about fifty yards from -each other, we advanced gradually, shouting and making all the noise we -could, at the same time keeping our arms in readiness to shoot or spear -down anything which might come in our way. - -Though this very spot had been frequently used for net-hunting, and -was therefore better cleared than the neighbouring woods, yet we were -obliged to proceed almost step by step. Nearly every native carried, -besides his gun, a heavy cutlass or bill, with which it was necessary -literally to hew out a way, the vines and creepers making a network -which only the beasts of the forest could glide through without trouble. - -As we advanced, so did the men that guarded the flanks; and thus our -party gradually closed round the prey. Presently we began to hear -shouts, but we could see nothing; and I could only hold my gun in -readiness and pray that my neighbours might not shoot me by mistake; -for they are fearfully reckless when on a chase. - -The dogs had for some time been let loose. At last we came in sight of -the nets. We had caught a gazelle of very minute size, called _ncheri_. -It is a very graceful little animal, and would make a pretty pet, -though I have never seen one tamed. A large antelope also was brought -to bay, and shot before I came up; and another antelope, being shot at -and missed, rushed forward and got entangled in the net. - -Having drawn this cover, we gathered up the nets and went off with the -dogs, who enjoyed the sport vastly, to try another place. After walking -about three-quarters of an hour we again spread our nets. Here we had -better luck, catching a considerable number of antelopes, gazelles, and -some smaller animals. It was pretty busy work for us. Nearly all the -animals got very much entangled, and the more they tried to get through -the nets the more they became bewildered. - -Before breaking up, all the game caught was laid together, that all -might see it. And now I had an opportunity to notice the curious -little sharp-eared dogs, about a foot high, which had been so useful -in driving the animals into our toils. They stood looking at their -prizes with eager and hungry eyes. These dogs often go and hunt for -themselves; and it is no unusual thing for half-a-dozen dogs to drive -an antelope to the neighbourhood of their village, when their barking -arouses the hunters, who come out and kill their quarry. - -It was almost dark when we returned to the village of Alapay. One -antelope was put aside for me, being a peculiar species which I wanted -to stuff; and the rest of the meat was immediately divided. The -villagers were delighted at our luck. We were all very hungry, and -cooking began at once. I could hardly wait for the dinner, which was -one worthy of an emperor's palate. It consisted of plantain, cooked in -various ways, and venison of the tenderest sort, stewed in lemon-juice, -and afterwards roasted on charcoal. - -I was glad to go to bed early, for I felt very tired. I had travelled -during the day very nearly thirty miles. - -But I had scarcely got sound asleep when I was fairly turned out of the -house by a furious attack of the Bashikonay ants. They were already -upon me when I jumped up, and I was bitten by them terribly. I ran out -into the street, and called for help and torches. The natives came out, -the lights were struck, and presently I was relieved. But now we found -that the whole village was attacked. A great army of ants was pouring -in on us, attracted doubtless by the meat in the houses, which they -had smelt afar off. My unfortunate antelope had probably brought them -to my door. All hands had to turn out to defend themselves. We built -little cordons of fires, which kept them away from places they had not -entered, and in this way protected our persons from their attacks. -We scattered hot ashes and boiling water right and left; and towards -morning, having eaten everything they could get at, they left us in -peace. As was to be expected, my antelope was literally eaten up--not a -morsel left. - -The vast number, the sudden appearance, and the ferocity of these -frightful creatures never ceased to astonish me. On this occasion they -had come actually in millions. The antelope on which they fed was a -vast mass of living ants, which we could not approach; and it was only -when many fires were lighted that they were forced from their onward -and victorious course, which they generally pursue. Then, however, -they retreated in parties with the greatest regularity, vast numbers -remaining to complete the work of destruction. Little would I give for -the life of a man who should be tied up to a tree when these ants pass -that way and attack him; in two or three hours nothing would be left of -him but the bare bones. - -[Illustration] - - - - -[Illustration: MANGROVE SWAMP. TUMBLING AND FALLING.] - -CHAPTER XII. - - RETURNING TO THE COAST--CAVERNS AND WATERFALLS IN THE - HIGHLANDS--CROSSING A RIVER ON MANGROVE ROOTS--STIRRING UP A BIG - SNAKE--A MUTUAL SCARE. - - -I left the good villagers of Yoongoolapay, and pursued my way to the -seashore. On the route we came to a high ridge, or plateau. This was -the highest land I had seen between the Moonda and the Mani, and it is -probable that, if it had not been for the trees, I should have seen -the ocean very well. Along this ridge were strewn some of the most -extraordinary boulders I ever saw. These immense blocks of granite -covered the ground in every direction. Several of them were between -twenty and thirty feet high, and about fifty feet long. - -Near the largest of these granite masses a huge rock rose some forty -or fifty feet out of the ground. I saw an opening in the solid rock, -leading to a fine large cavern. It had no doubt been made by the hands -of man; it was not of natural formation, for the entrance had evidently -been cut out of the solid rock by human beings; and now it was much -used by the natives as a house to stop in over night when they were -travelling to and fro. Its vast opening admits such a flood of sunlight -and air that it is not likely to be used as a lair for wild beasts. We -saw the remains of several fires inside, but I am bound to say we saw -also the tracks of leopards and other dangerous beasts on the outside, -for which reason I did not care to sleep there. - -While exploring the cavern I thought several times I heard a trickling, -which was almost like the noise of rain, and which I had not noticed -before, probably on account of the great shouting of my men. But when -we got out I was surprised to find not a cloud in the sky. Turning -for an explanation to Alapay, he led me along a path, and as we went -forward the trickling noise gradually grew into the sound of rushing -waters. Presently we came to the edge of a steep declivity, and here I -saw before and around me a most charming landscape, the centre of which -was a most beautiful waterfall. A little stream, which meandered along -the slope of the plateau, and which had hitherto escaped our view, had -here worn its way through a vast granite block which barred its course. -Rushing through the narrow and almost circular hole in this block, it -fell in one silvery leap perpendicularly forty or fifty feet. The -lower level of the stream ran along between high, steep banks covered -with trees, the right bank being quite abrupt. It was a miniature -Niagara. Clear, sparkling, and pure as it could be, the water rushed -down to its pebbly bed--a sight so charming that I sat down for some -time and feasted my eyes upon it. - -I then determined to have a view from below. After some difficult -climbing we got to the bottom, and there beheld, under the fall, a -large hole in the perpendicular face of the rock, which evidently -formed the mouth of a cavern. The opening of the cavern was partly -hidden by the waterfall, and was cut through solid rock. Between the -opening and the waterfall there were a few feet of clear space, so that -by going sideways one could make good his entrance into the cavern -without receiving a shower bath. - -I determined to enter this cavern; but before venturing I went first -and tried to get a peep at the inside. It was so dark that I could -see nothing, so it was not very inviting. We lit torches; I took my -revolver and gun, and, accompanied by two men, who also were armed -with guns, we entered. How dark it was! Once inside, we excited -the astonishment of a vast number of huge vampire bats. There were -thousands and thousands of them. They came and fluttered around our -lights, threatening each moment to leave us in darkness, and the motion -of their wings filled the cavern with a dull thunderous or booming -roar. It really looked an awful place, and the dim light of our torches -gave to every shadow a fantastic form. - -The cavern was rather rough inside. When we had advanced about one -hundred yards we came to a stream, or puddle of water, extending -entirely across the floor, and barring our way. My men, who had gone -thus far under protest, now desired to return, and urged me not to go -into the water. It might be very deep; it might be full of horrible -water snakes; all sorts of wild beasts might be beyond, and land snakes -also. At the word snake I hesitated, for I confess to a great dread -of serpents in the dark, or in a confined place, where a snake is -likely to get the advantage of a man. A cold shudder ran through me at -the thought that, once in the water, many snakes might come and swim -round me, and perhaps twist themselves about me as they do around the -branches of trees. So I paused and reflected. - -While peering into the darkness beyond I thought I saw two eyes, like -bright sparks or coals of fire, gleaming savagely at us. Could it be -a leopard, or what? Without thinking of the consequences, I levelled -my gun at the shining objects and fired. The report, for a moment, -deafened us. Then came a redoubled rush of the great hideous bats. -It seemed to me that millions of these animals suddenly launched out -upon us from all parts of the surrounding gloom. Some of these got -caught in my clothes. Our torches were extinguished in an instant, -and, panic-stricken, we all made for the cavern's mouth. I had visions -of enraged snakes springing after and trying to catch me. We were all -glad to reach daylight once more, and nothing could have induced us to -try the darkness again. I confess that, though I think it takes a good -deal to frighten me, I did not at all relish remaining there in entire -darkness. - -The scene outside was as charming as that within was hideous. I stood a -long time looking at one of the most beautiful landscapes I ever beheld -in Africa. It was certainly not grand, but extremely pretty. Before me, -the little stream whose fall over the cliff filled the forest with a -gentle murmur, resembling very much, as I have said, when far enough -off, the pattering of a shower of rain, ran along between steep banks, -the trees of which seemed to meet above it. Away down the valley we -could see its course, traced like a silver line over the plain, till it -was lost to our sight in a denser part of the forest. - -I have often thought of these caverns since I saw them, and I have -regretted that I did not pay more attention to them. If I had made -my camp in the vicinity, and explored them and dug in them for days, -I think that I should have been amply rewarded for the trouble. At -that time I did not feel greatly interested in the subject. I had not -read the works of M. Boucher de Perthes and others, or heard that the -bones of animals now extinct had been discovered in caverns in several -parts of Europe, and that implements made of flint, such as axes, -sharp-pointed arrows, etc., etc., had been found in such places. If I -had excavated I might perhaps have found the remains of charcoal fires, -or other things, to prove that these caverns had been made by men who -lived in Africa long before the negro. I feel certain these caverns -must have been human habitations. I do not see how they could have been -made except by the hand of man. - -On my last journey I thought once or twice of going to them from the -Fernand-Vaz, to explore and dig in them. I thought I might be rewarded -for labour by discovering the bones of unknown beasts, or of some -remains of primitive men. - -These caverns are fortunately not far away from the sea--I should think -not more than ten or fifteen miles--and are situated between the Muni -and the Moonda rivers. Anyone desiring to explore them would easily -find the way to them. The cavern under the waterfall would be extremely -interesting to explore. - -The valley itself was a pleasant wooded plain, which, it seemed, the -hand of man had not yet disturbed, and whence the song of birds, the -chatter of monkeys, and the hum of insects came up to us, now and then, -in a confusion of sounds very pleasant to the ear. - -But I could not loiter long over this scene, being anxious to reach -the seashore. After we set off again we found ourselves continually -crossing or following elephant tracks, so we walked very cautiously, -expecting every moment to find ourselves face to face with a herd. - -By-and-by the country became quite flat, the elephant tracks ceased, -and presently, as we neared a stream, we came to a mangrove swamp. It -was almost like seeing an old friend, or, I may say, an old enemy, for -the remembrances of mosquitoes, tedious navigation, and malaria which -the mangrove tree brought to my mind were by no means pleasant. It is -not very pleasant to be laid up with African fever, I assure you. - -From a mangrove tree to a mangrove swamp and forest is but a step. They -never stand alone. Presently we stood once more on the banks of the -little stream, whose clear, pellucid water, had so charmed me a little -farther up the country. Now it was only a swamp, a mangrove swamp. Its -bed, no longer narrow, was spread over a flat of a mile, and the now -muddy water meandered slowly through an immense growth of mangroves, -whose roots extended entirely across, and met in the middle, where they -rose out of the mire and water like the folds of some vast serpent. - -It was high tide. There was not a canoe to be had. To sleep on this -side, among the mangroves, was to be eaten up by the mosquitoes, which -bite much harder than those of America, for they can pierce through -your trousers and drawers. This was not a very pleasant anticipation, -but there seemed to be no alternative, and I had already made up -my mind that I should not be able to go to sleep. But my men were -not troubled at all with unpleasant anticipations. We were to cross -over, quite easily too, they said, on the roots which projected above -the water, and which lay from two to three feet apart, at irregular -distances. - -It seemed a desperate venture, but they set out jumping like monkeys -from place to place, and I followed, expecting every moment to fall in -between the roots in the mud, there to be attacked, perhaps, by some -noxious reptile whose rest my fall would disturb. I had to take off -my shoes, whose thick soles made me more likely to slip. I gave all -my baggage, and guns, and pistols to the men, and then commenced a -journey, the like of which I hope never to take again. We were an hour -in getting across--an hour of continual jumps and hops, and holding on. -In the midst of it all a man behind me flopped into the mud, calling -out, "Omemba!" in a frightful voice. - -Now, _omemba_ means snake. The poor fellow had put his hands on an -enormous black snake, and, feeling its cold, slimy scales, he let go -his hold and fell. All hands immediately began to run faster than -before, both on the right and the left. There was a general panic, and -every one began to shout and make all kinds of noises to frighten the -serpent. The poor animal also got badly scared, and began to crawl away -among the branches as fast as he could. Unfortunately his fright led -him directly towards me, and a general panic ensued. Everybody ran as -fast as he could to get out of danger. Another man fell into the mud -below, and added his cries to the general tumult. Two or three times I -was on the point of getting a mud bath myself, but I luckily escaped. -My feet were badly cut and bruised, but at last we were safe across, -and I breathed freely once more, as soon after I saw the deep blue -sea. - - [Illustration: SLAVE BARRACOONS. BURIAL GROUND. - CHAP. XIII.] - - - - -[Illustration] - -CHAPTER XIII. - - CAPE LOPEZ AND AN OPEN PRAIRIE ONCE MORE--KING BANGO AND HIS THREE - HUNDRED WIVES--HIS FIVE IDOLS--SLAVE BARRACOONS--THE CORPSE AND THE - VULTURES. - - -Cape Lopez is a long sandy arm of land reaching out into the sea. As -you approach it from the ocean it has the appearance of overflowed -land. It is so low that the bushes and the trees growing on it seem, -from a distance seaward, to be set in the water. - -The bay formed by Cape Lopez is about fourteen miles long. Among -several small streams which empty their water into it is the Nazareth -river, one of whose branches is the Fetich river. The bay has numerous -shallows and small islands, and abounds in all sorts of delicious fish. -On the cape itself many large turtles from the ocean come to lay their -eggs. I will tell you by-and-by what a nice time I had fishing at Cape -Lopez; but I have many other things to talk about before I come to -that. - -I arrived at Cape Lopez one evening when it was almost dark. The next -morning I prepared myself for a visit to King Bango, the king of the -country. The royal palace is set up on a tolerably high hill, and -fronts the seashore. Between the foot of this hill and the sea there -is a beautiful prairie, over which are scattered the numerous little -villages called Sangatanga. I never tired of looking at this prairie. -I had lived so long in the gloomy forest that it gave me great delight -to see once more the green and sunlit verdure of an open meadow. I -found the royal palace surrounded by a little village of huts. As I -entered the village I was met by the _mafouga_, or officer of the king, -who conducted me to the palace. It was an ugly-looking house of two -stories, resting on pillars. The lower story consisted of a dark hall, -flanked on each side by rows of small dark rooms, which looked like -little cells. At the end of the hall was a staircase, steep and dirty, -up which the mafouga piloted me. When I had ascended the stairs I found -myself in a large room, at one end of which was seated the great King -Bango, who claims to be the greatest chief of this part of Africa. He -was surrounded by about one hundred of his wives. - -King Bango was fat, and seemed not over clean. He wore a shirt and -an old pair of pantaloons. On his head was a crown, which had been -presented to him by some of his friends, the Portuguese slavers. Over -his shoulders he wore a flaming yellow coat, with gilt embroidery, the -cast-off garment of some rich man's lacquey in Portugal or Brazil. When -I speak of a crown you must not think it was a wonderful thing, made -of gold and mounted with diamonds. It was shaped like those commonly -worn by actors on the stage, and was probably worth, when new, about -ten dollars. His majesty had put round it a circlet of pure gold, made -with the doubloons he got in exchange for slaves. He sat on a sofa, for -he was paralyzed; and in his hand he held a cane, which also answered -the purpose of a sceptre. - -This King Bango, whom I have described so minutely, was the greatest -slave king of that part of the coast. At that time there were large -slave depôts on his territory. He is a perfect despot, and is much -feared by his people. He is also very superstitious. - -Though very proud, he received me kindly, for I had come recommended by -his great friend, Rompochombo, a king of the Mpongwe tribe. He asked -me how I liked his wives. I said, very well. He then said there were a -hundred present, and that he had twice as many more, three hundred in -all. Fancy three hundred wives! He also claimed to have more than six -hundred children. I wonder if all these brothers and sisters could know -and recognise each other! - -The next night a great ball was given in my honour by the king. The -room where I had been received was the ball-room. I arrived there -shortly after dark, and I found about one hundred and fifty of the -king's wives, and I was told that the best dancers of the country were -there. - -I wish you could have seen the room. It was ugly enough; there were -several torches to light it; but, notwithstanding these, the room was -by no means brilliantly illuminated. The king wanted only his wives -to dance before me. During the whole of the evening not a single man -took part in the performance; but two of his daughters were ordered to -dance, and he wanted me to marry one of them. - -Not far from the royal palace were three curious and very small houses, -wherein were deposited five idols, which were reputed to have far -greater power and knowledge than the idols or gods of the surrounding -countries. They were thought to be the great protectors of the Oroungou -tribe, and particularly of Sangatanga and of the king. So I got a peep -inside the first house. There I saw the idol called Pangeo; he was made -of wood, and looked very ugly; by his side was his wife Aleka, another -wooden idol. Pangeo takes care of the king, and of his people, and -watches over them at night. - -I peeped also into the second little house. There I saw a large idol, -called Makambi, shaped like a man, and by his side stood a female -figure, Abiala his wife. Poor Makambi is a powerless god, his wife -having usurped the power. She holds a pistol in her hand, with which, -it is supposed, she can kill anyone she pleases; hence the natives are -much afraid of her; and she receives from them a constant supply of -food, and many presents (I wonder who takes the presents away). When -they fall sick, they dance around her, and implore her to make them -well; for these poor heathen never pray to the true God. They put their -trust in wooden images, the work of their own hands. - -I looked into the third house, and there I saw an idol called Numba. -He had no wife with him, being a bachelor deity. He is the Oroungou -Neptune and Mercury in one--Neptune in ruling the waves, and Mercury in -keeping off the evils which threaten from beyond the sea. - -As I came away after seeing the king, I shot at a bird sitting upon a -tree, but missed it, for I had been taking quinine and was nervous. But -the negroes standing around at once proclaimed that this was a "fetich -bird,"--a sacred bird--and therefore I could not shoot it, even if I -fired at it a hundred times. - -I fired again, but with no better success. Hereupon they grew -triumphant in their declarations; while I, loth to let the devil have -so good a witness, loaded again, took careful aim, and, to my own -satisfaction and their utter dismay, brought my bird down. - -During my stay in the village, as I was one day out shooting birds in a -grove, not far from my house, I saw a procession of slaves coming from -one of the barracoons toward the farther end of my grove. As they came -nearer, I saw that two gangs of six slaves each, all chained about the -neck, were carrying a burden between them, which I knew presently to -be the corpse of another slave. They bore it to the edge of the grove, -about three hundred yards from my house; and, throwing it down there -on the bare ground, they returned to their prison, accompanied by the -overseer, who, with his whip, had marched behind them. - -"Here, then, is the burying-ground of the barracoons," I said to myself -sadly, thinking, I confess, of the poor fellow who had been dragged -away from his home and friends; who, perhaps, had been sold by his -father or relatives to die here and be thrown out as food for the -vultures. Even as I stood wrapped in thought, these carrion birds were -assembling, and began to darken the air above my head; ere long they -were heard fighting over the corpse. - -The grove, which was, in fact, but an African Aceldama, was beautiful -to view from my house; and I had often resolved to explore it, or to -rest in the shade of its dark-leaved trees. It seemed a ghastly place -enough now as I approached it more closely. The vultures fled when they -saw me, but flew only a little way, and then perched upon the lower -branches of the surrounding trees, and watched me with eyes askance, -as though fearful I should rob them of their prey. As I walked towards -the corpse, I felt something crack under my feet. Looking down, I saw -that I was already in the midst of a field of skulls and bones. I had -inadvertently stepped upon the skeleton of some poor creature who had -been lying here long enough for the birds and ants to pick his bones -clean, and for the rains to bleach them. I think there must have been -the relics of a thousand skeletons within sight. The place had been -used for many years; and the mortality in the barracoons is sometimes -frightful, in spite of the care they seem to take of their slaves. -Here their bodies were thrown, and here the vultures found their daily -carrion. The grass had just been burnt, and the white bones scattered -everywhere, gave the ground a singular, and, when the cause was known, -a frightful appearance. Penetrating farther into the bush, I found -several great piles of bones. This was the place, years ago--when -Cape Lopez was one of the great slave markets on the West Coast, and -barracoons were more numerous than they are now--where the poor dead -were thrown, one upon another, till even the mouldering bones remained -in high piles, as monuments of the nefarious traffic. Such was the -burial-ground of the poor slaves from the interior of Africa. - -[Illustration] - - - - -[Illustration: EMBARKING SLAVES.] - -CHAPTER XIV. - - SLAVE BARRACOONS--A BIG SNAKE UNDER MY BED--A SLAVE SHIP OFF THE - COAST. - - -One day I passed by an immense enclosure, protected by a fence of -palisades about twelve feet high, and sharp-pointed at the top. Passing -through the gate, which was standing open, I found myself in the midst -of a large collection of shanties, surrounded by shady trees, under -which were lying, in various positions, a great many negroes. As I -walked round, I saw that the men were fastened, six together, by a -little stout chain, which passed through a collar secured about the -neck of each. Here and there were buckets of water for the men to -drink; and they being chained together, when one of the six wanted to -drink, the others had to go with him. - -Then I came to a yard full of women and children. These could roam at -pleasure through their yard. No men were admitted there. These people -could not all understand each other's language; and you may probably -wish to know who they were. They were Africans belonging to various -tribes, who had been sold, some by their parents or by their families; -others by the people of their villages. Some had been sold on account -of witchcraft; but there were many other excuses for the traffic. They -would find suddenly that a boy or girl was "dull," and so forth, and -must be sold. Many of them came from countries far distant. - -Some were quite merry; others appeared to be very sad, thinking that -they were bought to be eaten up. They believed that the white men -beyond the seas were great cannibals, and that they were to be fattened -first and then eaten. In the interior, one day, a chief ordered a slave -to be killed for my dinner, and I barely succeeded in preventing the -poor wretch from being put to death. I could hardly make the chief -believe that I did not, in my own country, live on human flesh. - -Under some of the trees were huge caldrons, in which beans and rice -were cooking for the slaves; and others had dried fish to eat. In the -evening they were put into large sheds for the night. One of the sheds -was used as a hospital. - -In the midst of all this stood the white man's house--yes, the white -man's house!--and in it were white men whose only business was to buy -these poor creatures from the Oroungou people! - -After I had seen everything, I left the barracoon--for that is the name -given to such a place as I have just described. I wandered about, and -it was dark before I returned to the little bamboo house which the king -had given me. I got in, and then, striking a match carefully, I lighted -a torch, so that I might not go to bed in darkness. You may smile when -I say bed, for my couch was far from bearing any resemblance to our -beds at home, with mattresses and pillows, and sheets and blankets. -Travellers in equatorial Africa are utter strangers to such luxuries. - -After I had lighted the torch, I cast my eyes round to see if anything -had been disturbed; for a thief, so disposed, could easily break into -these houses. I noticed something glittering and shining under my -akoko, or bedstead. The object was so still that I did not pay any -attention to it; in fact, I could not see it well by the dim light of -the torch. But when I approached the bed to arrange it, I saw that the -glitter was produced by the shining scales of an enormous serpent, -which lay quietly coiled up there within two feet of me. What was I -to do? I had fastened my door with ropes. If the snake were to uncoil -itself and move about, it might, perhaps, take a spring and wind itself -about me, quietly squeeze me to death, and then swallow me as he would -a gazelle. These were not comforting thoughts. I was afraid to cry out -for fear of disturbing the snake, which appeared to be asleep. Besides, -no one could get in, as I had barricaded the only entrance, so I went -quietly and unfastened the door. When everything was ready for a safe -retreat, I said to myself, "I had better try to kill it." Then, looking -for my guns, I saw, to my utter horror, that they were set against the -wall at the back of the bed, so that the snake was between me and them. -After watching the snake intently, and thinking what to do, I resolved -to get my gun; so, keeping the door in my rear open, in readiness for -a speedy retreat at the first sign of life in the snake, I approached -on tip-toe, and, in a twinkling of an eye, grasped the gun which was -loaded heavily with large shot. How relieved I felt at that moment! -I was no longer the same man. Fortunately, the snake did not move. -With my gun in one hand I went again towards the reptile, and, fairly -placing the muzzle of the gun against it, I fired, and then ran out of -the house as fast as I could. - -At the noise of the gun there was a rush of negroes from all sides -to know what was the matter. They thought some one had shot a man, -and run into my house to hide himself; so they all rushed into it, -helter-skelter; but I need not tell you they rushed out just as fast, -on finding a great snake writhing about on the floor. Some had trodden -upon it and been frightened out of their wits. You have no idea how -they roared and shouted; but no one appeared disposed to enter the -house again, so I went in cautiously myself to see how matters stood, -for I did not intend to give undisputed possession of my hut so easily -to Mr. Snake. I entered and looked cautiously around. The dim light -of the torch helped me a little, and there I saw the snake on the -ground. Its body had been cut in two by the discharge, and both ends -were now flapping about the floor. At first I thought these ends were -two snakes, and I did not know what to make of it; but as soon as I -perceived my mistake, I gave a heavy blow with a stick on the head -of the horrible creature, and finished it. Then I saw it disgorge a -duck--a whole duck--and such a long duck! It looked like an enormous -long-feathered sausage. After eating the duck, the snake thought my -bedroom was just the place for him to go to sleep in and digest his -meal; for snakes, after a hearty meal, always fall into a state of -torpor. It was a large python, and it measured--would you believe -it?--eighteen feet. Fancy my situation if this fellow had sprung upon -me and coiled round me! It would soon have been all over with me. I -wonder how long it would have taken to digest me, had I been swallowed -by the monster! - -One fine day, while walking on the beach of this inhospitable shore, -I spied a vessel. It approached nearer and nearer, and at last ran in -and hove-to a few miles from the shore. Immediately I observed a gang -of slaves rapidly driven down from one of the barracoons. I stood and -watched. The men were still in gangs of six, but they had been washed, -and each had a clean cloth on. The canoes were immense boats, with -twenty-six paddles, and about sixty slaves each. The poor slaves seemed -much terrified. They had never been on the rough water before, and they -did not know what that dancing motion of the sea was. Then they were -being taken away, they knew not whither. As they skimmed over the waves -and rolled, now one way, now another, they must have thought their last -day had come, and that they were to be consigned to a watery grave. - -I was glad that these poor creatures could not see me, for I was hidden -from their view by trees and bushes. I felt ashamed of myself--I -actually felt ashamed of being a white man! Happily, such scenes are -rarely if ever witnessed nowadays, and the slave trade will soon belong -to the past. - -Two hours afterwards, the vessel, with a cargo of six hundred slaves, -was on her way to Cuba. - - - - -[Illustration: THE GAZELLE.] - -CHAPTER XV. - - GOING INTO THE INTERIOR--SLEEPING WITH THE KING'S RATS--THE - CHIMPANZEE--KILL A GAZELLE--TOO COLD TO SLEEP--THE GREY PARTRIDGE. - - -After this I went again to visit King Bango, and was announced to his -Majesty by his great mafouga. I had an important object in paying this -visit. I wished to ask the king to permit me to go into the interior -and to spare me some people to show me the way. - -Bango liked me, though I had declined to marry one of his beautiful -daughters. So he granted my request, and gave me twenty-five men, some -of whom were reputed great hunters in that country. They had killed -many elephants and brought all the ivory to their king. They were the -providers of the royal table, and passed their lives in the hunt and in -the forest. - -We made great preparations for the chase, for game was said to be -plentiful. We were to encamp many days in the forest, and to have a -jolly time, and a hard time, too, for the hunter's life is not an easy -one. I was invited by the king to sleep in his palace, so that the -next day I might start early; so I was led to my bedroom by the great -mafouga. It was so dirty and gloomy that I wished myself fast asleep -under a tree in the forest. I looked around, thinking that perhaps -the king wanted to get rid of me, and had invited me there to have me -murdered; but finding nothing suspicious, I concluded that old King -Bango had never entertained such ideas, and I felt vexed at myself for -having such thoughts on my mind. Then I extinguished the light and -lay down on the royal couch. I had scarcely lain down when I began to -hear a strange noise. At first I did not know what it meant. The noise -in the room increased. What could it be? I tried to see through the -darkness, but could distinguish nothing. Just then I felt something -getting under my blanket. Confounded, I jumped up, not knowing what -it might be. It was an enormous rat. As soon as I got up, I heard a -perfect scrambling of rats going back where they came from, and then -all became silent. I lay down on the bed again and tried to sleep, -but in vain, on account of the assaults and gambols of the rats, of -which there was a prodigious number. They seemed inclined to dispute -possession of my room with me. They were continually on my bed, and -running over my face. I soon got quite enough of the royal palace. -I wished I had never come into it. But it was an excellent place -for getting up early. No sooner had the morning twilight made its -appearance than I rose and called my men together; and, though we could -hardly see, we set out at once on the march. - -I went in advance with Aboko, my head man, and Niamkala, the next best -man, at my side. Both these men were great hunters, and had spent -the principal part of their lives in the woods. They seemed really -like men of the woods, so very wild were their looks. Aboko was a -short, somewhat stout man; very black, and extremely muscular, very -flat-nosed, and with big thick lips. His eyes were large and cunning, -and seemed to wander about; his body bore marks of many scratches from -thorny trees and briars; his legs displayed great strength. Niamkala, -on the contrary, was tall and slender, not very dark; he had sharp -piercing eyes, and seemed to be continually looking after something. -Both were first-rate elephant hunters. - -Aboko, Niamkala, and I became great friends, for we were all three -hunters, and loved the woods. - -Our way led through some beautiful prairies, each surrounded by dark -forests, and seeming like natural gardens planted in this great woody -wilderness. The country was really lovely. The surface was mostly -rolling prairie, with a light sandy soil. The highest hills often broke -into abrupt precipices, on which we would come suddenly; and if any of -us had tumbled down to the bottom, he would never have been heard of -again. The woods are the safe retreat of the elephant. Great herds of -buffaloes are found there, also antelopes, which go out into the great -grass fields by night to play and feed. Leopards are also abundant. - -I was much pleased to be able to travel in an open space, and not -always through the dark forest The breeze fanned our faces as we went -onward. Presently we saw the footprints of huge elephants and of wild -buffaloes. Friend Aboko now warned us to look sharp, for we were sure -to see game. Sure enough, he had hardly spoken when we saw a bull -standing, deer-like, upon the edge of the wood, watching us, I suppose, -and no doubt greatly puzzled to make out what kind of animals we were. -He stood for some minutes, safe out of range, and then turned into the -woods, evidently not liking our appearance. We ran around to intercept -him; and I waited at one pass in the woods, for Aboko to go clear -around and drive the bull towards me. - -I was waiting, when suddenly I saw something approaching me out of -the deep gloom of the forest. I thought it was Aboko coming towards -me, and I waited anxiously for news. I did not say a word for fear of -frightening the game that might be near us. The object came nearer -and nearer to me, till I thought I could recognise Aboko's dark -face distinctly through the foliage. I stood with my gun resting on -the ground, when suddenly I heard a shrill scream, and then what I -thought to be Aboko turned and ran back into the woods, showing a -broad, big hairy body. It was one of the wild men of the woods--the -chimpanzee--and a big one it was, I assure you. - -How glad I was to have seen this wild man of the woods! For a few -minutes I felt so astonished that I did not move. His black face -certainly did look very much like that of an African, so much so that, -as I have already said, I took the chimpanzee to be Aboko. - -By-and-by the real Aboko made his appearance. This time there was no -illusion, and we had a good laugh over my mistake. I felt quite vexed -that I had not shot the chimpanzee. I should have liked so much to -look at the animal closely. But I felt it was almost like shooting a -man. - -We left the woods, and started once more for the interior. We had not -been long on our way when I spied a gazelle right in the middle of -the prairie. How could one approach it without being seen? for the -grass was short. We wanted very much to kill it, for we had not killed -anything yet; and what were we to have for our dinner and supper? No -one likes to go without dinner, especially when working hard. Aboko, -Niamkala, and I held a council. We lay down flat on the ground for fear -of being seen; and finally it was agreed that I should go towards the -gazelle with my long range gun and shoot it if I could. So I started. -I almost crawled, now and then raising my head just to the level of -the grass, to see if the animal was still there. When I thought I was -near enough, I quietly lay down flat on the ground and rested my gun -on an ant-hill that looked like a mushroom. Taking careful aim at the -unsuspicious animal I fired, and down it tumbled, to my great delight. -Aboko and Niamkala, who had been watching afar off, came rushing and -shouting, their faces beaming with joy. The prospect of a good dinner -cheered them up. - -Others of the party soon joined us. The gazelle was cut upon the spot, -and we continued our journey till we came to a beautiful little stream, -which was too deep to be forded. A huge tree had been felled, and we -crossed to the other side on it, though it was hard work. I assure you -I thought once or twice I should have tumbled into the water. - -At sunset we stopped, quite tired out. We made our camp in the midst of -the prairie in order to have the nice grass to lie upon. It was the dry -season, and we were not afraid of getting wet. The people went into -the nearest forest and collected an immense quantity of firewood, not a -difficult task, as so many dead limbs were lying on the ground. - -We lighted a great many large fires, which blazed up fiercely, for the -wind blew hard. The country around was illuminated, and the glare of -our fires must have been seen a long way off. We took our dinner and -supper at the same time. I roasted my own share of the gazelle myself; -I put a piece of stick through the flesh and laid the skewer across two -forked sticks, which I fixed in the ground on each side of the fire. I -longed for some lard to baste the roasting meat, but I was thankful for -the good dinner I had, and I enjoyed it thoroughly. I had a little bit -of salt to eat with it, and also some nice cayenne pepper. - -My men also seemed to enjoy their meal very much, for they had meat to -their heart's content; and these negroes are very gluttonous generally. -It was laughable to see how lazily we lay around on the grass by our -fires; some were smoking, others tried to sleep, while others told -stories; but we all tried to warm ourselves, and kept continually -adding fuel to the already bright fires. - -The night was clear and almost frosty. The stars shone brilliantly -above our heads, and it was bright moonlight. It became so windy and -cold that we regretted we had not encamped by the forest, where we -should have been sheltered from the wind. It was too cold to sleep, -even with my blanket; and my poor men, who had no blankets, were -shivering around the fires. - -So at two o'clock in the morning I ordered the men to get up. A couple -of hours' sharp walking brought us to a thick wood, and there we were -sheltered. We quickly made up one very large fire, big enough for all -of us, and stretched ourselves pell-mell around it for a short nap. -We were so tired that we soon fell asleep, not caring for leopards -or anything else. We were awakened by the cry of the grey partridge -(_Francolinus squamatus_), called _quani_ by the natives. - -I will now say a word about these partridges. Unlike our partridges, -they perch on trees. When evening comes, the old cock perches himself -first, and calls the flock together. They all settle near each other. -In the morning, before daylight, they begin to cluck; and it was -this noise that we heard. They do not sleep on the ground, like our -partridges, because there are too many snakes crawling about, and too -many carnivorous animals. - -[Illustration] - - - - -[Illustration: AFTER DINNER.] - -CHAPTER XVI. - - THE HIPPOPOTAMUS--A SPECK OF WAR--REACH NGOLA--A SUNDAY TALK--THE - BLACK MAN'S GOD AND THE WHITE MAN'S GOD--HOW KING NJAMBAI PUNISHED - HIS WIFE--WE BUILD AN OLAKO IN THE WOODS. - - -Sunrise found us under way again; and before us lay a fine stretch of -prairie, on the farther borders of which were quietly grazing several -herds of buffaloes, which, as we approached them, quickly ran into the -woods. While they remained in sight they gave the country a civilized -appearance; it looked like a large grazing farm in June, with cattle, -and hay almost ready for harvest; a fine, quiet, old-country picture -here in the wilds of Africa, that reminded me so much of home scenes -that I felt happy and elated. - -We pushed on rapidly in order to travel as far as possible before the -heat of the day should set in. We came to a large pool or lakelet; and, -while looking at the water, I suddenly saw something strange coming -out from under its surface. It was a hippopotamus--the first I had -seen. I thought it was a log of wood; then I fancied it was the head -of a horse; for certainly, from a distance, the head of a hippopotamus -looks like that of a horse. Then I heard a great grunt, and down went -the head under the water. Suddenly a number of the animals made their -appearance; there were at least a dozen of them. They began sporting -in the water, now popping their huge heads out and snorting, and then -diving to the bottom and remaining there for some time. - -I watched them for a while, and then I took my gun, intending to send -a bullet into the head of one and haul him ashore; but Aboko said they -would sink to the bottom. Not wishing to kill one of these creatures -for nothing, I took Aboko's advice, and we went away. - -We had not met a single human being since we left Sangatanga till now. -As we journeyed, I saw in the distance what I at first took to be a -herd of buffaloes, but soon perceived it was a caravan of natives -coming in our direction. Immediately we looked at our guns; for in this -country there is no law, and every man's hand is against his brother. -We saw that they, too, prepared for an encounter; that most of them hid -in the grass, watching. Four fellows came towards us to reconnoitre, -and to ask if it was peace or war, when suddenly they got a glimpse -of me, and I do not know how, but they at once saw, from the fact of -my being there, that there would be no war. They shouted to their -companions to come and see the Otangani. - -They were Shekianis, who, as I have said, are a very warlike people, -and this part of the country, I was told, was thickly inhabited by -them. We left them in the midst of their wonders, and travelled as fast -as we could, for we wanted to reach a village of their tribe, named -Ngola, whose chief was a friend of King Bango, and was his vassal, -having married one of his daughters. - -At last, after much travelling, we reached the village of Ngola. As -we approached, and as soon as the women caught sight of me, they ran -screaming into the houses. Njambai, the chief, received us very kindly, -and gave me a house to live in. - -Ngola was a very pretty village, and the house I lived in belonged -to Shinshooko, the brother of the chief. You will agree with me that -Shinshooko had a funny name. He was a worthy fellow, and tolerably -honest, too, for he gave me the key of one of his doors--(I wonder -where he got the old padlock that was on it)--and he recommended me -to shut my door every time I went away, as the people might steal -something. - -Sunday came; I remained in the village. They all understood the -Oroungou language so I could speak to them. I told them there was no -such thing as witchcraft, and that it was very wrong to accuse people -of it and kill them; that there was only one God, who made both the -whites and the blacks, and we should all love Him. This elicited only -grunts of surprise and incredulity. They all shouted that there were -two gods,--the God of the _Ntangani_ (white men) and the God of the -_Alombai_ (black men). The God of the black men had never given them -anything, while the God of the white men had sent them guns, powder, -and many other fine things. Then Shinshooko remarked, "You have rivers -of _alongon_ (rum) flowing through your land. When I go to Sangatanga I -taste it at King Bango's; how much I should like to live on the banks -of such rivers!" They would not believe that we had only rivers of -water like theirs; and that we ourselves made our powder, and guns, and -rum also. - -I stayed for a few days in the village of Ngola, where the people were -very kind to me. One day I heard a woman crying out, as if she were -in great pain. Asking what was the matter, a man told me the king was -punishing one of his wives; and others said that, if I did not go to -her help, she might be killed. I hurried to the king's house, and -there, in front of the verandah, a spectacle met my eyes, which froze -my blood with horror. A woman was tied by the middle to a stout stake -driven into the ground. Her legs were stretched out and fastened to -other smaller stakes, and stout cords were bound round her neck, waist, -ankles, and wrists. These cords were being twisted with sticks; and -when I arrived the skin was bursting from the terrible compression. The -poor woman looked at me. The king was in a perfect rage; he himself -was the chief executioner. His eyes were blood-shot, and his lips were -white with foam. I had to be careful in expostulating with the king, -for fear that he might kill her at once, in a fit of rage. I walked up, -and, taking him by the arm, I asked him for my sake to release the poor -woman, and not to kill her. He seemed to hesitate; he did not answer, -and went into his house. I threatened to leave if he did not release -her. Finally he consented, and said: "Let her loose yourself; I give -her to you." - -How glad I was! I rushed out immediately and began to untie the savage -cords, and to cut them away with my knife. The poor creature was -covered with blood. I sent her to my house and took care of her. I -learned that she had stolen some of her husband's beads. - -After this, I left the Shekiani village of Ngola and went on my journey -with my friends, Aboko and Niamkala. We travelled on, till, on reaching -a place in the midst of a forest, not far from a little lake, we -determined to build an olako; for I liked the country so much that I -did not want to leave it. There were a great many wild animals in the -neighbourhood, and we thought the place was likely to afford us good -sport, especially as the lake would draw beasts down to its banks to -drink. We were not only near water, but we had a wide stretch of forest -and prairie-land about us. We worked very hard that day, building -and arranging our encampment, in such a way as to make everything -comfortable and secure. Of course we selected the prettiest part of -the forest, and where there were many tall and shady trees. We first -cut the underbrush from under the trees, and also many of the vines or -creepers, which looked very singular as they hung down over our heads. -Then we collected a great number of large leaves, which are called by -some tribes _shayshayray_ and _guaygayrai_, to roof our sheds with. -After this we proceeded to cut a number of small sticks, seven or eight -feet long, and began to construct our habitations. Then we cut branches -of trees to shield us from the wind, and collected a great quantity of -firewood, for we had made up our minds to keep ourselves warm. After we -had arranged and lighted the fires, our camp looked quite like a little -village. It was very romantic and beautiful. I had arranged my own -shelter very nicely; and it was first in the row. To be sure, my bed -was rather hard, being composed of sticks and leafy branches; while for -a pillow I had merely a piece of wood. - -In the midst of our work, ten slaves of Njambai came, laden with -provisions, which the good fellow had sent after me. After doing a hard -day's work, I think we deserved to rest comfortably in the evening. We -began cooking our dinner; and a right good dinner it was. My men had -monkey and buffalo-meat; but I had a nice fat fowl, which my friend -Njambai had sent me. - -Before dinner I warned my men to be honest, and keep their fingers -at home. They were good fellows, but I found that all savages will -steal. So I threatened to kill the first man I caught meddling with my -property, and told them I would shoot without mercy; "and then," said -I, with great sternness, "when I have blown your brains out, I will -settle the matter with your king." To which Aboko coolly replied that -the settlement was not likely to do them any particular good. - -Of course they all protested that they were honest; but I knew them -better than they knew themselves; I knew the effect of temptation on -them, poor fellows! and had more confidence in their faith that I would -kill the thief than I had in their good resolutions. - -When this little matter was settled, they drew around the blazing fire. -By this time, the buffalo-meat suspended in a huge kettle over the -fire was cooked and ready to be eaten; the monkeys had been roasted -on charcoal; my fowl had been cooked; and before us was a great pile -of roasted plantain. We enjoyed a hearty meal together; I eating off -a plate, and using a fork, while the black fellows took fresh leaves -for plates, and used the "black man's fork," as they call their five -fingers. After dinner, they drank a large calabash-full of palm wine -that had been brought from Ngola; and then, to crown their feast, with -the greatest delight of all, I went to one of my boxes, and, lifting -the lid, while the shining black faces peered at me with saucer-eyes of -expectation, I took out a huge plug of Kentucky tobacco. There was a -wild hurrah of joy from them all. They shouted that I was their friend; -they loved only me; they would go with nobody else; I was their good -spirit; I was like one of themselves. I distributed the tobacco among -them; and in a few minutes all were lying about the fire, or seated -round it, with their pipes in their mouths. - -After making the fire burn brightly I, being tired, went and lay -down, as you see me in the picture. My blanket was the only article -of bedding I had; I wrapped this around me, and rested my head on my -wooden pillow, which I assure you was not of the softest kind. I felt -pleased to see my men so contented. Their wild stories of hunting -adventures, of witchcraft, and evil spirits well fitted the rude, -picturesque surroundings; and they lay there talking away, till, at -last, I was obliged to remind them that it was one o'clock, and time to -go to sleep, especially as some of us were to get up very early and go -hunting. Then all became silent, and soon we all fell asleep, except -the men appointed to keep the fires bright, on account of the leopards, -and also to watch that we might not be surprised by some enemy. - -[Illustration] - - - - -[Illustration: A LEOPARD AND HER YOUNG ONE.] - -CHAPTER XVII. - - AN UNSUCCESSFUL HUNT FOR ELEPHANTS--I TAKE AIM AT A BUFFALO--A - LEOPARD IN THE GRASS NEAR US--WE SHOOT THE LEOPARD AND HER - KITTEN--GREAT REJOICING IN CAMP--WHO SHALL HAVE THE TAIL?--A - QUARREL OVER THE BRAINS--THE GUINEA HENS--THE MONKEYS. - - -Early the next morning, Aboko and I got up. Aboko covered himself with -his war fetiches, and also with the fetiches that were to bring good -luck, and give him a steady hand. On the middle of his forehead was a -yellow spot made with clay. When he had finished these preparations we -started. - -Our desire was to kill elephants. We saw plenty of tracks, and we -hunted all day long. In many places, to judge by the tracks, the -elephants had been only an hour or two before ourselves. But we did not -see a single elephant, and I killed only a few monkeys for my men's -dinner, as well as a few birds. - -We were returning to the camp, rather down-hearted, when I heard the -cry of the grey male partridge, of which I have already spoken, calling -for his mates to come and perch on the tree he had chosen. We turned -back to get a shot, if possible, for they are fine eating. We were -just on the edge of the forest; and, as I pushed out into the prairie, -suddenly I saw several buffaloes, one of which I made sure of as he -stood a little in advance of the rest, where the grass was high enough -for a stealthy approach. I immediately put a ball into the barrel that -had only shot, so that I might have my two barrels loaded with bullets. -Then Aboko and I advanced slowly towards the unconscious bull, which -stood a fair mark, and I was about to raise my gun when Aboko made a -quick sign to hold still and listen. Aboko, at the same time, breathed -as if he were smelling something. - -I did not know why it was that Aboko had stopped me, but I knew there -must be better game at hand, or some other good reason for his doing -so. Perhaps he had heard the footstep of an elephant. I looked at his -face, and saw that it appeared anxious. - -As we stood perfectly motionless, I heard, at apparently a little -distance before us, a low purring sound, which might have been taken, -by a careless ear, for the sound of the wind passing through the grass. -But to Aboko's quick ear it betokened something else. His face grew -very earnest, and he whispered to me "Njego" (leopard). - -What were we to do? The noise continued. We cocked our guns, and moved, -slowly and cautiously, a few steps ahead, to get a position where we -thought we might see over the grass. The leopard might pounce upon -us at any moment. What would prevent him from doing so if he chose? -Certainly not our guns, for we did not know exactly where the beast -was. To tell you the truth, I did not feel comfortable at all; I had -a slight objection to being carried away in the jaws of a leopard and -devoured in the woods. - -Our situation was far from being a pleasant one. The leopard comes out -generally by night only, and nothing but extreme hunger will bring him -out of his lair in open day. When he is hungry, he is also unusually -savage, and very quick in his motions. - -We knew the animal was near, but we could not succeed in getting a -sight of him. As the wind blew from him towards us, I perceived plainly -a strong peculiar odour which this animal gives out; and this fact -proved, still more decidedly, that the leopard could not be far off. -The thought passed through my mind: Is he watching us? Is he coming -towards us--crouching like a cat on the ground, and ready to spring -upon us when near enough? Do his eyes penetrate the grass which we -cannot see through? If so, is he ready to spring? - -Meantime our buffalo-bull stood stupidly before his herd, not twenty -yards from us, utterly innocent of the presence of so many of his -formidable enemies--the leopard, Aboko, and myself. - -Just then we moved a little to one side, and, peering through an -opening in the grass, I beheld an immense leopard, a female, with a -tiny young leopard by her side. The beast saw us at the same moment, -having turned her head quickly at some slight noise we made. She had -been watching the buffalo so intently as not to notice our approach. It -seemed to me as if a curious look of indecision passed over her face. -She, too, had more game than she had looked for, and was puzzled which -to attack first. Her long tail swished from side to side, and her eyes -glared, as she hesitated for a moment to decide which of the three--the -bull, Aboko, or me--to pounce upon and make her victim. - -But I saved her the trouble of making up her mind; for, in far less -time than it takes me to tell you what took place, I had put a ball -into her head, which, luckily for us, relieved her of further care -for prey. She dropped down dead. At the same moment Aboko fired into -the little leopard and killed it. At the noise of the guns, the -buffalo-bull and the herd decamped in the opposite direction, at a -tremendous pace, the bull little knowing the circumstances to which he -owed his life. - -I felt much relieved, for I had never before been in quite so ticklish -a situation, and I felt no particular desire ever to be in a similar -plight again. - -When we returned to the camp there was a great excitement as soon as -they heard the news that two leopards had been killed. Aboko carried in -the young leopard on his back; but mine was too heavy, and had to be -left in the field. Guns were fired in rejoicing; and the big leopard -was fetched in. When the people returned with it to the camp, all -shouted, "What an enormous beast! what an enormous beast! We heard gun -firing," etc., etc. - -In the midst of this noise Niamkala made his appearance with some of -our party, bringing in some wild boars and a pretty little gazelle -which the natives called _ncheri_. Of course the wild boars had been -cut up into several pieces, for they were too heavy to carry whole. - -Niamkala and his party were received with great cheers. The prospect of -a good supper brightened all their faces, and mine also; and I shouted, -"Well done, Niamkala and boys!" - -Everything was brought to my feet. There was so much to eat that there -was no use in dividing the meat into equal shares; so I let everyone -take as much as he liked. - -After supper the leopards were hung on a pole resting on two forked -sticks; and then the negroes danced round them. They sang songs of -victory, and exulted over and abused the deceased leopard (the mother). -They addressed to her comical compliments upon her beauty (and the -leopard is really a most beautiful animal). They said, "What a fine -coat you have!" (meaning her skin). "We will take that coat off from -you." They shouted, "Now you will kill no more people! Now you will eat -no more hunters! Now you cannot leap upon your prey! What has become -of the wild bull you were looking after so keenly? Would you not have -liked to make a meal of Aboko or of Chaillie?" (for they called me -Chaillie). - -Thus they sang and danced round till towards morning, when I made them -go to sleep. - -Next morning there was great quarrelling among my men. What could be -the matter? I found that Niamkala was declaring his determination -to have the end of my leopard's tail, while the rest of the hunters -asserted their equal right to it. Aboko said he did not care, as he -would have the tail of the one he had killed. - -I skinned the two leopards in the most careful manner, and gave the end -of the tail to Niamkala, and I promised Fasiko to give him the tail of -the next one I should kill. They all shouted, "I hope you will kill -leopards enough to give to each of us a tail!" - -Poor Fasiko looked very down-hearted. When I inquired why, he said, -"Don't you know that when a man has the end of a leopard's tail in his -possession he is sure to be fortunate in winning the heart of the girl -he wants to marry?" - -I said, "Fasiko, you have one wife, what do you care for a leopard's -tail?" - -He replied, "I want a good many wives." - -The palaver about the tail was hardly over when another quarrel broke -out. This time it was about the brains. Aboko, Niamkala, and Fasiko -each wanted the whole brain of the animal. The others said they must -have some too; that there was only one end to each tail, but that the -brains could be divided among them all. For a few minutes a fight -seemed imminent over the head of the leopard. - -I said, "You may quarrel, but no fighting. If you do you will see me -in the fight; and I will hit everybody, and hit hard too." At the same -time I pointed out to them a large stick lying by my bedside. This -immediately stopped them. - -They all wanted the brain, they said, because, when mixed with some -other charms, it makes a powerful _monda_ (fetiche), which gives its -possessors dauntless courage and great fortune in the hunt. Happily, -I was able to persuade my three best hunters that they wanted no such -means to bolster up their courage. - -The dispute over the brains being settled, Aboko, in the presence of -all the men, laid the liver before me. As this had no value or interest -for me, since I was certainly not going to eat the liver of the leopard -for my dinner, I was about to kick it aside, when they stopped me, and -entreated me to take off the gall and destroy it, in order to save -the party from future trouble. These negroes believe the gall of the -leopard to be deadly poison, and my men feared to be suspected by their -friends or enemies at Sangatanga of having concealed some of this -poison. So I took off the gall, put it under my feet and destroyed it, -and then, taking the earth in which it had been spilled, I threw it in -every direction, for I did not want any of these poor fellows to be -accused of a crime, and lose their lives by it. I intended to inform -the king, on my return, that we had destroyed the liver. But I told -my men that their belief was all nonsense, and a mere superstition. -They said it was not. As I could not prove their notion to be false, I -stopped the discussion by saying I did not believe it. - -Having plenty of game, we carried the leopard-meat a long way off, and -threw it away. - -We did not go hunting for two days, but spent our time in smoking the -meat we had on hand. It was just the sort of weather for hunting, -and for living in the woods. The air was cool and refreshing, for it -was June, and the dry season; but the sky was often clouded, which -prevented the sun from being oppressive. To add to our pleasure, the -forest trees were in bloom, and many of them were fragrant. The nights -were very cold indeed for this country, the thermometer going down to -sixty-eight degrees Fahrenheit. The wind blew hard, but against that we -managed to protect ourselves. The dews were not nearly so heavy as they -are in the rainy season. The grass was in great part burned off the -prairies. - -Every day we succeeded in shooting more or less game, among which were -antelopes, gazelles, wild boars, monkeys without number, and guinea -fowls. These guinea fowls were of a beautiful species. In this country -you have never seen any like them. - -My joy was great when I killed this hitherto unknown species of -guinea-fowl (_Numida plumifera_). It is one of the handsomest of all -the guinea-fowls yet discovered. Its head is naked, the skin being of -a deep bluish-black tinge, and is crowned with a beautiful crest of -straight, erect, narrow, downy feathers, standing in a bunch close -together. The plumage of the body is of a fine bluish-black ground, -variegated with numerous _eyes_ of white, slightly tinged with blue. -The bill and legs are coloured a blue-black, similar to the skin of the -head. - -This bird is not found near the seashore. It is very shy, but marches -in large flocks through the woods. At night they perch on trees, where -they are protected from the numerous animals which prowl about. - -I killed several beautiful monkeys called by the natives _mondi_. -What curious-looking monkeys they were! Only the stuffed specimen of -a young one had been received in England before this time. The mondi -is entirely black, and is covered with long shaggy hair. It has a very -large body, and a funny little head, quite out of proportion to the -size of the animal. It is a very beautiful monkey; the hair is of a -glossy jet black; and it has a very long tail. In Africa no monkeys -have prehensile tails; I mean by that, tails which they can twist round -the branch of a tree, and so hang themselves with the head downwards. -That kind of monkey is only found in South America. - -The mondi has a dismal cry, which sounds very strangely in the silent -woods, and always enabled me to tell where these monkeys were. - - [Illustration: ABOKO KILLS A ROGUE ELEPHANT. - CHAP. XVIII.] - - - - -[Illustration] - -CHAPTER XVIII. - - ALONE IN CAMP--HUNTING FOR ELEPHANTS--ABOKO KILLS A ROGUE - ELEPHANT--I CUT ANOTHER PYTHON IN TWO--WE SHOOT SOME WILD BOARS--A - BUFFALO HUNT--RETURN TO SANGATANGA--KING BANGO SICK. - - -One fine day I remained in the camp, for I had been hunting so much -that I wanted a day of rest. All the others had gone to hunt. I was -left alone, and I enjoyed the solitude, everything around me was so -beautiful and quiet. Nature seemed to smile on all sides. I placed -myself at the foot of a large tree, and wrote in my journals; and -then I thought of the dear friends I had at home, and wondered if -they sometimes thought of me. Then I called to mind all I had seen in -the wonderful country which I had explored. I could hardly believe -it myself: it seemed like a dream. What extraordinary people, and -what curious beasts, had I not met! How many wonderful dangers I had -escaped! How kind God had been in protecting me! How He had watched -over the poor lonely traveller, and taken care of him during sickness! -Thus my heart went up in gratitude, and I silently implored that the -protection of God might still be granted me. - -Towards sunset, Aboko and Niamkala made their appearance, and brought -a fine young boar with them. As usual, without saying a word, they -came right to me, and put the dead animal at my feet. Then, seating -themselves and clapping their hands, Aboko began to tell me what had -happened from the time they started in the morning until the time -they returned. They forgot nothing, even mentioning the tracks of the -animals they had seen. They reported they had found fresh elephant -tracks, and thought the elephants had made their head-quarters there -for a few days. After hearing this, we immediately resolved that we -would all turn out after elephants on the following day. - -Accordingly, in the evening, we cleaned and prepared our guns, and -everybody went to sleep early. - -The next morning we started about daybreak, each of us carrying -some provisions. We were to fire no guns in the forest, for fear of -frightening the elephants, who are very shy in this region. We had -taken pains to load our guns in the most careful manner. - -We hunted all day, but in vain; no elephants were to be seen. We slept -out in the woods, for we were too far from the camp to return. We felt -so tired that we had only sufficient strength left to enable us to -fetch firewood, and to cut a few branches of trees and lie down upon -them. I had lost or forgotten the matches, so I had to light the fire -with a piece of steel and a gun-flint. This took a little longer. - -Very soundly we all slept, as you may easily suppose. When I awoke -in the midst of the night our fires were almost out; at least they -did not blaze up enough to frighten the wild beasts. Aboko, Niamkala, -and Fasiko were snoring tremendously. One was lying flat on his back, -the other had his legs up, while Fasiko had his arm extended at full -length. By the side of each was his gun, which touched him in some way, -so that it could not be taken without awaking him. I believe it was -their snoring that had aroused me. They were so tired, and seemed to -sleep so soundly, that I did not want to wake them, so I went and added -fuel to the fire, which soon began to blaze up again. - -The next day found us again exploring the woods in every direction. -Elephants certainly were not plentiful; besides they travelled much -in search of their favourite food--a kind of fern, which was not very -abundant. Again I got very tired; but at last, in the afternoon, we -came across our quarry. - -Emerging from a thick part of the forest into a prairie which bordered -it, we saw to our left, just upon the edge of the wood, a solitary bull -elephant. There we stood still. I wonder what he was thinking about! I -had seen the great beast in menageries, and also among the Fans, and I -have described to you an elephant hunt in their country, but then there -was great confusion. - -Here, the huge animal stood quietly by a tree, innocent of our -presence; and now, for the first time in my life, I was struck with the -vast size of this giant of the forests. Large trees seemed like small -saplings when compared with the bulk of this immense beast which was -standing placidly near them. - -What were we to do but to kill him? Though I felt a sense of pity at -trying to destroy so noble an animal, yet I was very anxious to get the -first shot myself; for it was a "rogue elephant"--that is, an elephant -unattached.[1] It was an old one, as we could see by the great size -of its tusks. I remembered that rogue elephants are said to be very -ferocious. So much the better, I thought. I had killed a good deal of -game, and I had ceased to be afraid of any of them, though I felt that -hunting was no child's play. - - [1] Sir Emerson Tennent ("Ceylon," vol. ii. p. 304) speaks of - "the class of solitary elephants, which are known by the term - of _Goondapo_, in India, and from their vicious propensities, - and predatory habits, are called Hora, or Rogues, in Ceylon." - -You must not think that we were standing up all this time in sight of -the elephant. As soon as we had seen him, we lay down and hid ourselves -in the forest, in such a manner as not to lose sight of him. Then we -held a grand council, and talked over what must be done to bag the -beast. - -The grass was burnt in every direction to the leeward of him, and we -dared not risk approaching him from the windward for fear he should -smell us. What was to be done? The eyes of my men were fixed upon me -with a keenly inquisitive look. They expected me to tell them what I -thought best to do about the matter. - -I looked at the country, and saw that the grass was very short; and, -after taking account of all the chances of approach, I was compelled -to admit that I could not manage to get near the beast myself with -any certainty. I could not crawl on the ground; my clothes were sure -to be seen by the elephant; therefore, as a sensible hunter, I was -reluctantly compelled to resign in favour of Aboko, who, I thought, was -the best man for the difficult undertaking. His eyes glistened with -pleasure as he thought that now he could show his skill. Besides, among -hunters there is something pleasant and exciting in knowing that you -are about to rush into danger. - -After cocking his musket, Aboko dropped down in the short grass, and -began to creep up to the elephant slowly on his belly. The rest of us -remained where we had held our council, and watched Aboko as he glided -through the grass for all the world like a huge boa-constrictor; for, -from the slight glimpses we caught, his back, as he moved farther and -farther away from us, resembled nothing so much as the folds of a great -serpent winding his way along. Finally we could no longer distinguish -any motion. Then all was silence. I could hear the beating of my heart -distinctly, I was so excited. - -The elephant was standing still, when suddenly the sharp report of a -gun rang through the woods and over the plain, and elicited screams of -surprise from sundry scared monkeys who were on the branches of a tree -close by us. I saw the huge beast helplessly tottering till he finally -threw up his trunk, and fell in a dead mass at the foot of a tree. Then -the black body of Aboko rose; the snake-like creature had become a man -again. A wild hurrah of joy escaped from us; I waved my old hat, and -threw it into the air, and we all made a run for the elephant. When we -arrived, there stood Aboko by the side of the huge beast, calm as if -nothing had happened, except that his body was shining with sweat. He -did not say a word, but looked at me, and then at the beast, and then -at me again, as if to say: "You see, Chaillu, you did right to send me. -Have I not killed the elephant?" - -The men began to shout with excitement at such a good shot. "Aboko is a -man," said they, as we looked again at the beast, whose flesh was still -quivering with the death agony. Aboko's bullet had entered his head a -little below the ear, and, striking the brain, was at once fatal. - -Aboko began to make fetich-marks on the ground around the body. After -this was done we took an axe, which Fasiko had carried with him, and -broke the skull, in order to get out the two tusks, and very large -tusks they were. - -Of course we could not carry off the elephant, so Aboko and I slept -that night near our prize on the grass and under the tree. Niamkala and -Fasiko had started for the camp to tell the men the news, and the next -morning all the men hurried out. While quietly resting under the shade -of a tree close to the elephant, I spied them coming. As soon as they -recognised us they shouted, and, when near enough, they made a spring -at Aboko and then at the elephant. All the cutlasses, all the axes and -knives that were in the camp, had been sharpened and brought out. Then -the cutting up of the elephant took place. He was not very fat. What a -huge beast he was! What a huge liver he had! What an enormous heart, -too! - -The trunk, being considered a choice morsel, was cut into small pieces. -The meat was to be smoked immediately, and then carried to Sangatanga, -to be sold and given away. Great bargains were looming before the men's -eyes; they were all to get rich by selling the elephant's meat. - -I never saw men more happy than these poor fellows were. The negroes -believe in eating. Mine ate nothing but meat, and they ate such -quantities of it that several of them got sick, and I was obliged to -give them laudanum in brandy to cure them. They almost finished my -little stock of brandy. - -The camp was full of meat, and as we had no salt, the odour that -came from it was not particularly agreeable. Indeed, I had to have a -separate shanty built on one side, and to the windward of the camp. I -could not stand the stench. - -At night the negroes lay around the fires, the jolliest of mortals, -drinking palm-wine, which they made regularly from the neighbouring -palm-trees, and smoking tobacco when I was generous enough to give them -some. In fact, they were as honest a set of negroes as I had met with -anywhere, really good fellows. - -As time passed on you must not think that I did nothing but kill -animals. I rambled through the forest, and studied everything I saw. -Sometimes, when too far away from the camp, and after a day of hard -hunting, I slept soundly under a tree by the side of a big fire, with -my gun by my side. I thought I would go hunting one day for wild -animals; on another, for birds; and, when too tired to travel, I would -remain in the camp, sleeping sweetly on my primitive couch, which -consisted of a couple of mats spread on the bare and soft earth, with -a thick blanket for cover, the foliage of a tree and the blue starlit -sky being my canopy and roof. I had given up sleeping upon bare sticks, -finding it too hard. - -As fresh boar tracks had been seen near the camp, I could not resist -the temptation of having another hunt after that savage beast. However -tired I might be, I could hardly keep still whenever news came that -game was near us. I was always in the hope of finding some new animal -or something curious to stuff and bring home, to show what I had done. - -We had not gone far when we heard, to the right of us, the grunting -of some wild boars. As they are very wild, we jumped hastily behind a -fallen tree to hide ourselves. In our haste to do this, I heedlessly -stepped on something in my path, and, looking down, found I was -running upon an immense serpent, a huge python, which lay snugly -coiled up beside the tree. Happily, he was in a state of stupefaction, -consequent, probably, on having eaten too heavy a dinner. He scarcely -moved, and did not raise his head. I ran to Niamkala, and borrowed a -kind of heavy cutlass which he carried with him, and with a blow of -this I cut the python in two pieces, which instantly began to squirm -about in a very snaky and horrible way. During his death-struggle the -monster disgorged the body of a young gazelle, which was in a half -digested condition. This python was not quite twenty feet long--a -pretty good-sized one, you may judge. - -The noise we made in killing the snake of course frightened the wild -pigs. We pursued them, and succeeded, by good management, and after a -hard chase of an hour, in coming up with the herd. They were ten in -number, and we managed to bag two. They were not very large. Besides -these pigs, my hunters carried the two halves of the serpent to the -camp. We were received there with demonstrations of joy. They made a -kind of soup with the boa, and seemed to relish it very much. I did not -taste it, and can therefore say nothing against it. - -I never saw a country like this for game. There was so much prairie -land that it reminded me of Southern Africa. The contrast with the -great forest, where I had travelled for days without seeing anything, -was very great. - -For a few days I remained quiet in the camp. The men had in the -meantime been hunting and exploring in various directions. As they -reported that great herds of buffaloes frequented every night a prairie -situated about ten miles from our camp, I determined to have a hunt for -them. I was very fond of buffaloes, at least of their meat. - -We set out and left our camp just before sunset. Our route was through -the midst of prairie land, and by eight o'clock in the evening we -reached the forest beyond. There we hoped to find our game; and -securing for ourselves safe hiding-places in the woods on the edge of -the plain, we lay down and waited. Now, waiting is generally tedious, -but waiting in a cold night from eight to two o'clock, every moment -expecting that which does not come, is apt to try one's patience -severely. Mine was entirely gone, and I wished myself comfortably under -my blanket in camp, when suddenly the buffaloes came. Aboko heard them -coming, and presently a herd of about twenty-five animals emerged from -the woods, and scattered quietly about the grassy plain. - -The moon was going down, and we could see from our hiding-places the -long shadows of the buffaloes, silently gliding one way or another, -but never near enough to us for a shot. Soon they felt quite at ease, -and began feeding, ever and anon gambling sportively with one another. -Seeing them engaged, we crawled towards them slowly and with great -care. We had almost got within safe range when a sudden change of -wind discovered us to them. They snuffed up the air suspiciously, and -instantly gathering together, they disappeared in the woods. - -There was ill luck! My hunters cursed in Shekiani, and I grumbled in -several languages. But there was still hope. Silently we crawled back -to our lair, and waited patiently for two mortal hours; when at last -two--a bull and a cow--stalked leisurely into the fields and began to -crop the grass. It was now dark. The moon had gone down, leaving us -only the uncertain light of the stars. We watched the motions of the -buffaloes until we thought we could venture, and then silently crawled -towards them again. This time we got within range. I chose the bull for -my shot, and Niamkala took the cow, while Aboko was ready to second -me with his gun in case I should not kill my animal. We fired both -at once, and by good luck, for the light was not enough to afford a -chance for a fair shot, both the animals fell down dead. - -Daylight soon appeared, and we resolved to return to the camp and send -men to bring in the meat, thinking that no wild beasts would trouble -our prizes at such unseasonable hours. Aboko and Niamkala first cut off -the bushy tails of black glossy hair, and then we made for the camp, -where they showed to our companions these trophies of our chase. The -men made haste, and reached the place early, but not before the cow was -half eaten by a hungry leopard. The poor leopard who ventured out so -early in the morning must have been nearly famished. I did not grudge -him his meal, though I should have liked to watch for him and shoot -him, had I thought of his coming, for I had plenty of friends to whom I -could have given his skin on my return. - -A few days afterwards we broke up our camp, and loaded ourselves with -the birds and beasts I had killed and prepared, and also with the meat -which my men had smoked; and all the time they were boasting of how -much tobacco and other dainties they would get for this. They seemed -very jolly, though groaning under their burdens; and I was pleased to -see them so happy. The specimens of the _Bos brachicheros_ were an -inconvenient load, and I was obliged to be very careful with them. - -When I reached Sangatanga I found that the king was in worse health -than he was when I had left. He was alarmed, fearing he would die. He -remarked that it was singular he had been taken worse immediately after -my departure; and that, in fact, he grew sick on the very night when I -slept in his house. - - - - -[Illustration: FISHING] - -CHAPTER XIX. - - A JOLLY EXCURSION PARTY--A RACE FOR THE FISHING BANKS--THE OROUNGOU - BURIAL-GROUND. - - -Not long after we returned from our hunting expedition, I prepared to -go to Fetich Point on a fishing excursion. For this purpose it was -necessary to have canoes. I had called on King Bango since I returned, -but, remembering the rats, I had respectfully declined the hospitality -of his palace. Nevertheless, he remained my friend and gave me all the -men I wanted. - -I not only wanted to fish, but I also wished to see the burial-ground -of the Oroungous, which is not far from Fetich Point. There were also -some enormous turtles on Fetich Point, I was told, and I wished to -catch some of them. - -My old hunting friend, Fasiko, had got together a party of forty men. -Besides Fetich Point, I was to visit the Fetich river, and the end -of Cape Lopez. There being no houses whatever there, the women had -prepared for us a great quantity of powdered manioc, baskets of ground -nuts, sweet potatoes, and bunches of plantain. We had a very large -outfit. Fasiko got together a lot of mats to sleep upon, and kettles to -cook in, and a great quantity of salt, with which to salt the fish we -hoped to catch. We had several fish-nets made, of the fibre of a vine. -We also had fish-hooks; and I took an enormous hook to catch sharks. -I always had a hatred of sharks, they are such savage and voracious -monsters. - -We had a great number of baskets. The women carried these to put the -fish in. We did not forget guns; for leopards lurk in the jungle, -on the south side of the cape, and the boa hangs from the trees, -waiting for his prey. If you got up early there, as everybody at a -watering-place should, you can see huge elephants trotting down along -the beach, and cooling their tender toes in the surf. - -It was a very jolly party, for Cape Lopez is the Cape May, or Nahant of -Sangatanga. The dry season there answers to our July, when "everybody -that is anybody" is supposed to be "out of town and down by the -seaside." - -Niamkala and Aboko were of the party; for we were great friends; and -wherever I went they wanted to go with me. They were slaves of King -Bango; but we had shared the same dangers, we had shared the same -pleasures. - -At last everything was ready. I embarked in the biggest canoe, which -was manned by sixteen oarsmen. As usual, there was a good deal of -shouting and bustle before we got off. The sails, made with matting, -were unfurled, and we set out across the bay. We had an exciting race -to see which canoe was the fastest. There was a stiff _breeze_; but -unfortunately the wind was nearly in our faces, so that our sails were -of little use. The men worked lustily at their paddles, and as they -paddled they sang their wild canoe songs. The morning was clear and -bright, but in the afternoon the sky became clouded. We reached Fetich -Point a little before sunset; and the men, who seemed as lively and -jolly as could be, at once cast their net, in a way not materially -different from our mode of using the hand-net, and made a great haul -of fish, the principal part of which were mullets. How beautiful they -looked! They seemed like silver fish. - -The men went immediately in search of firewood. We lighted our fires; -and, having cooked and eaten our fish, which were delicious, we -prepared for a night's rest by spreading mats upon the sand. It was -terribly cold; for we were not sheltered from the wind, which went -right through my blanket. - -Not far from Fetich Point is the river Tetica, one of the tributaries -of the Nazareth river. The Nazareth falls into the bay, through a -tangled, dreary, and poisonous track of back country, consisting of -mangrove swamps, like those I have described on the Monda river, and -where, I daresay, no animals, except serpents, are to be found. There -are no human habitations there. - -In the morning, I wished to see the Oroungou burial-ground, before -starting for Cape Lopez itself. It lay about a mile from our camp, -towards Sangatanga, from which it is distant about half a day's pull in -a canoe. - -It was only by the promise of a large reward that I persuaded Niamkala -to accompany me. The negroes visit the place only on funeral errands, -and hold it in the greatest awe, conceiving that here the spirits of -their ancestors wander about, and that they are not lightly to be -disturbed. - -Niamkala and I left the camp, and, following the seashore, we soon -reached the place. It is in a grove of noble trees, many of them of -magnificent size and shape. As I have said, the natives hold the place -in great reverence. - -The grove is by the sea. It is entirely cleared of underbrush; and, as -the wind sighs through the dense foliage of the trees, and whispers -in their darkened, somewhat gloomy recesses, there is something awful -about the place. I thought how many lives had been sacrificed on these -graves. - -Niamkala stood in silence by the strand, while I entered the domain of -the Oroungou dead. - -The corpses are not put below the surface. They lie about beneath the -trees, in huge wooden coffins, many of which are made of trees. By far -the greater number were crumbling away. Some new ones betokened recent -arrivals. The corpses of some had only been surrounded by a mat. Here -was a coffin falling to pieces, and disclosing a grinning skeleton -within. On the other side were skeletons, already without their covers, -which lay in the dirt beside them. Everywhere were bleached bones, -and mouldering remains. It was curious to see the brass anklets and -bracelets, in which some Oroungou maiden or wife had been buried, still -surrounding her whitened bones, and to note the remains of articles -which had been laid in the coffin or put by the side of some wealthy -fellow now crumbling to dust. What do you think these articles were? -Umbrellas, guns, spears, knives, bracelets, bottles, cooking-pots, -swords, plates, jugs, glasses, etc. - -In some places there remained only little heaps of shapeless dust, from -which some copper, or iron, or ivory ornaments, or broken pieces of the -articles I have just mentioned, gleamed out, to prove that here, too, -once lay a corpse, and exemplifying the saying of the Bible, "Dust, to -dust thou shalt return." I could not help saying to myself. "Man, what -art thou?" - -Suddenly I came to a corpse that must have been put there only the day -before. The man looked asleep, for death does not show its pallor in -the face of the negro as it does in that of the white man. This corpse -had been dressed in a coat, and wore a necklace of beads. By his side -stood a jar, a cooking-pot, and a few other articles, which his friend, -or his heir, had put by his side. - -Passing on into a yet more sombre gloom, I came at last to the grave -of old King Pass-all, the brother of the present king. Niamkala had -pointed out to me the place where I should find it. The huge coffin -lay on the ground, and was surrounded on every side with great chests, -which contained some of the property of his deceased majesty. Many -of them were tumbling down, and the property destroyed. The wood, as -well as the goods, had been eaten up by the white ants. Among some of -these chests, and on the top of them, were piled huge earthenware jugs, -glasses, mugs, plates, iron pots, and brass kettles. Iron and copper -rings, and beads were scattered around, with other precious things -which Pass-all had determined to carry to the grave with him. There -lay also the ghastly skeletons of the poor slaves, who, to the number -of one hundred, were killed when the king died, that he might not pass -into the other world without due attendance. - -It was a grim sight, and one which filled me with a sadder feeling than -even the disgusting slave barracoons had given me. - -The land breeze was blowing when I returned, and we started for the -sandy point of the cape. It is a curious beach, very low, and covered -with a short scrub, which hides a part of the view, while the sand -ahead is undistinguishable at a distance from the water, above which it -barely rises. I was repeatedly disappointed, thinking we had come to -the end, when in fact we had before us a long narrow sand-spit. Finally -we reached the extreme end, and landed in smooth water on the inside of -the spit. - -The point gains continually upon the sea. Every year a little more sand -appears above the water, while the line of short shrubs, which acts as -a kind of dam or breakwater, is also extended, and holds the new land -firm against the encroachments of old Neptune. - -Among these shrubs we built our camp, and here for some days we had a -very pleasant and lively time. - -The weather was delightful; we had no rain, it being the dry season, -and we were not afraid of the awful tornadoes. - -[Illustration] - - - - -[Illustration: TURNING TURTLES JUST BEFORE SUNRISE.] - -CHAPTER XX. - - OUR CAMP AT POINT FETICH--AN AFRICAN WATERING-PLACE--FISHING, - BUT NOT BATHING--THE SHARKS--CURING MULLETS, ETC.--TURNING - TURTLES--BIRD SHOOTING--A LEOPARD SPRINGS UPON US. - - -Our camp presented a very picturesque appearance, and was unlike the -one described a little while ago, and of which I gave you a picture. -Here each man had built for himself a cosy shade with mats, which, by -the way, are very beautiful. These mats are about five or six feet in -length and three feet wide. We made our walls of them, so that we were -sheltered from the wind. Our houses looked very much like large boxes. - -As usual, the first day was occupied in making everything comfortable, -and in collecting firewood, which it was not so easy a matter to find, -for the shrubs did not furnish much, and we had to go far to get it; -afterwards it was made the business of the children to gather brushwood -for the fires; and the poor children had hard work too. - -We built large _oralas_, or frames, on which to dry the fish when -salted, or to smoke it by lighting a fire beneath, in which case the -oralas were built higher. - -Some had brought with them large copper dishes, called Neptunes, which -looked like gigantic plates, in which they were to boil down salt water -to get supplies of salt for salting the fish, and to take home with -them. Some of the women were all day making salt; when made, it was -packed securely in baskets, and placed near the fire to keep it dry. - -Every day we had some new kind of fish to eat, or to salt down. - -As for myself, as I have said, I had brought along an immense -shark-hook and a stout rope. The hook was attached to a strong chain -two feet long, so that the teeth of the shark could not cut the line if -they should swallow the piece of meat or the large fish put on the hook -for a bait. - -There were so many sharks swarming in the waters about the cape that -they were often almost washed upon the beach by the waves. I never saw -such an immense number. The Chinese, who eat sharks' fins, would find -enough here to glut the Canton market. In truth, I sometimes trembled -when in a canoe at the idea that it might upset, for if that had -happened, in a short time I should have been seized by a dozen hungry -sharks, been dragged to the bottom of the sea, and there been devoured. -These sharks are certainly the lions and tigers of the water: they -show no mercy. The very sight of them is horrible, for you cannot help -thinking and saying to yourself, "I wonder how many people this shark -has eaten!" There is a superstition among sailors that whenever there -is a sick person aboard, the sharks will follow the ship, watching for -the corpse to be thrown overboard. - -I confess I felt a hatred for sharks, and while at Cape Lopez I killed -as many of them as I could. Almost every day you could have seen me in -a canoe near the shore, throwing my shark-hook into the sea, and after -awhile making for the beach, and calling all the men together to pull -with all our might, and draw in my victim. One day I took a blue-skin -shark. He was a tremendous fellow. I thought we should never be able -to haul him ashore, or that the line would part. It took us an hour -before we saw him safely on the beach. Now and then I thought he would -get the better of us, and that we should have to let the line go, or -be pulled into the water. At last he came right up on the beach, and -a great shout of victory welcomed him. Aboko was ready for him, and -with a powerful axe he gave him a tremendous blow that cut off his -tail. Then we smashed his head, and cut his body into several pieces, -which quivered to and fro for some time. In his stomach we found a -great number of fish. If I remember correctly, he had six or seven rows -of teeth, and such ugly teeth! I pity the poor man whose leg should -unfortunately get caught between them. - -Hardly a day passed that I did not catch some sharks, and then for a -bait I used to put on my hook a piece of their own flesh, which, like -the cannibals, they ate apparently without any remorse. - -There is another species of shark, of a grey leaden colour, which is -shorter and thicker than the blue-skin shark; it has a broader head, -and a much wider mouth, and is far more voracious. This species is -the most common. It will attack a man in shallow water. I remember a -poor boy who was going to his canoe, where the water was not up to his -knees, when suddenly, just as he was going to get in, he was seized by -his leg and dragged into the water by one of these terrible sharks, -which had probably been for some time swimming along the beach watching -for prey. In that country it is dangerous to bathe in the sea, and I -did not attempt to do so. So much for the sharks. - -Every day, on the muddy banks near the mouth of the Fetich river, we -hauled in with our nets a great quantity of mullets and other fish. -These were split open, cleaned, salted, dried, and smoked, and then -packed away in baskets. - -Sometimes, early in the morning, we went out to turn turtles. To do -this we had to start before daylight. They came on the beach to lay -their eggs in the sand, which the sea does not reach. There the heat of -the sun hatches them out. I have sometimes spied these turtles early in -the morning coming out of the water and ascending the beach in a clumsy -way, until they reached the dry spot where they wish to lay their -eggs. After laying them, they manage to cover them with sand. I should -have liked very much to have seen the young ones come out of the eggs. -How funny the little wee turtles must look! But I have never been so -fortunate. - -One day we caught a turtle which had only three legs; the fourth had -been bitten off, no doubt by a hungry shark. The wound had got well, -and must have been made long before we caught the turtle. - -Would you like to know how we captured turtles? - -As soon as they see people coming towards them they generally make -for the water. Then we rush with all speed upon the unwieldy turtle, -and with one jerk roll it over on its back, where it lies, vainly -struggling to recover its legs. Then we kill it. - -Hundreds of eggs are sometimes found in one turtle. I was very fond of -them when found in the body, otherwise I did not like them. They made -splendid omelettes. - -The turtles look very curious when they lie fast asleep on the water. -At such times I am told that, with great care, they may be approached -and captured. - -Besides fishing, we had hunting also. South of the cape was a dense -forest, in which might be found most of the animals that live in -African woods. Several times we saw elephants on the beach, but we shot -none. I killed a great number of sea fowls, which fly about there in -such flocks as almost to darken the air. They collect in this way in -order to feed on the fish which are so plentiful. - -One evening, as Aboko, Niamkala, and I were returning from a fruitless -hunt in the woods, we fell in with larger game. Passing along the -edge of the forest we were suddenly startled by a deep growl. Looking -quickly about, we perceived an immense male leopard just crouching for -a spring upon our party. Fortunately our guns were loaded with ball. -No doubt we had come upon the animal unawares. In a flash we all three -fired into the beast, for there was no time to be lost. He was already -upon the spring, and our shot met him as he rose. He fell dead and -quivering almost within a foot of Aboko, who may be said to have had a -very narrow escape, for the leopard had singled him out as his prey. He -was an immense animal, and his skin, which I preserved as a trophy, is -most beautifully shaded and spotted; in fact there is scarcely a more -beautiful animal than the African leopard. - -At the mouth of the Nazareth the savage saw-fish is found. It is no -doubt one of the most formidable, and the most terrible of the animals -that live in the water. - -I was quietly paddling in a little canoe, when my attention was drawn -to a great splashing of water a little way off. I saw at once it was a -deadly combat between two animals. All round the water was white with -foam. The cause of this could not be two hippopotami fighting, for in -that case I should have seen them. - -I approached cautiously, having first made my two rifles ready in case -of an emergency. At last I came near enough to see an enormous saw-fish -attacking a large shark. It was a fearful combat; both fought with -desperation. But what could the shark do against the powerful saw of -his antagonist? - -At last they came too near my canoe. I moved off lest they might attack -my canoe, for they would have made short work of my small, frail boat; -and a single blow of the saw-fish would have disabled me. Each tooth of -the saw must have been two inches long, and there were, I should say, -forty on each side; the saw was about five feet long. In the end, the -saw-fish, more active than the shark, gave him a terrible blow, making -his teeth go right through the flesh of the shark. Several such blows -were quickly delivered, and all became still, the foam ceased, and the -water resumed its accustomed stillness. I paddled towards the scene, -when suddenly I saw, at the bottom of the river, what I recognised to -be a great shark; it was dead, and lay on its back, showing its belly. -The body was frightfully lacerated. - -The saw-fish had killed its antagonist, and left the field of battle, -and only the blood of the shark stained the water. - -In the bay of Cape Lopez, in the month of July, I could see whales -playing about in every direction, and sending water high into the air. - -They come at that time of the year with their young; and the water -of the bay being very quiet, they enjoy there the sea, and the young -whales get strong before they go into the broad ocean. Very pretty it -looks to see them swimming by the side of the big mothers. - -Year after year the whales came, always in July; but one year the -whalers found them out, and made war upon them; and now, when July -comes, they are no more to be seen, for the whale is very intelligent, -and knows well the places where he is not safe; so they look out for -some other unfrequented bay wherein to play and train their young. - -Besides the whale, all the year round can be seen what the sailor -commonly calls the _bottle-nose_, an enormous fish, not so big as a -whale, but nevertheless of great size. It is of the whale family. - -[Illustration] - - - - -[Illustration: OUR SCHOONER CAUGHT IN A TORNADO.] - -CHAPTER XXI. - - BOUND FOR THE INTERIOR--A SEA VOYAGE--A TORNADO--WE REACH THE - FERNAND-VAZ--SANGALA WISHES TO DETAIN ME--A NIGHT ALARM--PROSPECT - OF A WAR--ARRAYED FOR BATTLE--A COMPROMISE--MY COMMI FRIENDS. - - -I have been a great wanderer. On the 5th of February, 1857, I was -on board of a little schooner, of forty-five tons burden, bound for -the mouth of a river called Fernand-Vaz. From there I expected to -penetrate into the interior. I was on my way to a wild and unexplored -region. - -The name of the schooner was the Caroline. She was full of provisions -and goods for the long journey I had to undertake; for I intended to -make a very long exploration before my return to America. The captain -was a Portuguese negro, Cornillo by name. The crew, seven in number, -were Mpongwes, Mbingos, and Croomen, not more than two of whom could -understand each other, and not a soul could properly understand the -captain. A fine prospect for the voyage! - -I got aboard at daylight, and should have been glad to go immediately -ashore again; but, by dint of steady shouting, and a great deal of -standing idle, with a little work now and then, we got the anchor up -just at dusk. The captain did not like to leave port on Friday. I told -him I would take the responsibility. He asked what good that would do -him if he went to the bottom. It appears that the Portuguese have the -same absurd superstitions as many of the sailors of other nations. - -No sooner had we got into the swell than our two black women, and every -man on board (except the captain), got sea-sick. The cook was unable to -get the breakfast next morning; and the men were lying about, looking -like dying fish. - -We set sail from the Gaboon river, and hoped to get down to the Commi -country in five days. But for four days after starting we had light -wind and a contrary current; and, on the fifth day, we were caught in -such a storm at sea as I hope never to experience again. - -The steering went on so badly when Captain Cornillo was below, that I -was forced to stand watch myself. I had been steering for four hours, -and had been perhaps one hour in my berth, when I was awakened from a -sound sleep by the captain's voice, giving orders to take down the -mainsail. I sprang on deck immediately, knowing there must be at least -a heavy squall coming. But no sooner did I cast my eyes to the leeward -than I saw how imminent the danger was. A tornado was coming down upon -us. The black clouds which had gathered about the horizon were becoming -lurid white with startling quickness. It seemed almost as if they were -lit up by lightning. The tornado was sweeping along and in a moment -would be upon us. As yet all was still--still as death. There was not a -breath of wind. - -I turned to see if the mainsail was down, but found nothing had been -done. The captain was shouting from the wheel; the men were also -shouting and running about, half scared to death; and, in the pitchy -darkness (for I could not see my hands when held close before my -eyes), no one could find the halliards. In the midst of our trouble -the wind came roaring down upon us. I seized a knife, determined to -cut everything away; but just then somebody let go the halliards, and, -in the nick of time, the mainsail came half-way down. The tornado was -upon us. The jibs flew away in rags in a moment. The vessel was thrown -upon her beam ends. The water rushed over her deck, and the men sang -out that we were drowning; as, in fact, we should have been in a very -few minutes. Happily the wind shifted a little; and, by the light of -some very vivid lightning, we seized on the mainsail, like men that -felt it was their last hope, and pulled it down, holding it so that the -wind should not catch it again. The vessel righted, and in less than -twenty minutes the squall died away, and was succeeded by a driving -rain, which poured down in such torrents that in a very short time I -was drenched to the skin. The lightning and thunder were something -terrific. I was afraid of the lightning, striking us as the Caroline -had no lightning-rod, and we had powder enough on board to blow us -all to atoms. The deck was so leaky that even below I could not get -protection from the rain. - -The next morning we had no jibs, and our other sails were severely -damaged. To add to our difficulties, no one on board, not even our -captain, knew where we were. At that time I knew not how to make -astronomical observations. The captain was in the habit of bringing up, -every day, an old quadrant; but about the use of it he knew as much as -a cow does about a musket. - -At last we made the land. A canoe came on board, and we asked where -we were. We found that we must be somewhere near Cape St. Catherine, -and therefore a good many miles south of the mouth of the Fernand-Vaz, -the place where I was bound. So we turned about to retrace our path. -Sailing close in shore, when I passed the village of Aniambia, or Big -Camma, the natives came with a message from their king, offering me two -slaves if I would stay with him. - -I was immovable, for I had set my heart on going to the Fernand-Vaz -river, of which I heard a good deal, from my friend Aboko, while in the -Cape Lopez regions. As we approached that river, the vast column of -water, pushing seaward, forced its separate way through the ocean for -at least four or five miles; and the water there was almost fresh, and -seemed a separate current in the sea. - -At last we came to the mouth of the Fernand-Vaz, and our fame had -gone before us. Some of the Commi people, the inhabitants of the -Fernand-Vaz, had seen me before at Cape Lopez. The news had spread that -I wanted to settle at the village of a chief called Ranpano; so, as we -passed his seashore village, a canoe came off to ask me to land; but as -the breakers were rather formidable, I begged to be excused. - -Ranpano's men wanted much to hug me; and were so extravagant in their -joy, that I had to order them to keep their hands off, their shining -and oily bodies having quite soiled my clothes. They went back to the -king to tell him the good news. I kept one of these men on board for a -pilot, being now anxious to get across the intricate bar, and fairly -into the river, before dark. - -As we sailed along up the river, canoes belonging to different villages -shot out to meet us; and presently I had a crowd alongside anxious to -come on board, and sufficient almost to sink us. They took me for a -slaver at first, and their joy was unbounded; for there is nothing the -African loves so much as to sell his fellowmen. They immediately called -out their names in Portuguese: one was Don Miguel, another Don Pedro, -another Don Francisco. They began to jabber away in Portuguese. Where -they had learned this language I could not tell, unless it were in -Sangatanga. I could not understand them; so I sent my captain to talk -with them. He had some difficulty to persuade them that I came no such -errand as slave-trading. They insisted that I had, and that the vessel -looked exactly like a slaver. They said we must buy some of their -slaves; they had plenty of them. - -They insisted that I should not go to Ranpano. I should put up a -factory in their place. They belonged to Elindé, a town just at the -mouth of the Fernand-Vaz, whose king is named Sangala. They praised the -power and greatness of Sangala, and decried poor Ranpano, until I had -to order all hands ashore for the night, being anxious to get a good -quiet sleep to prepare for the morrow. - -During the night, the men on watch said they heard the paddling of a -canoe coming towards us. What could it be? Let us be ready. These men -might be coming to board us and make war. At length the canoe came -within hailing distance; we shouted to them. (I may say that the Commi -speak the same language as the Oroungou people--the inhabitants of -Cape Lopez.) They came, they said, with a message from King Sangala. -I recognised the voice of the head man in the canoe to be that of -Nchouga. He was brother of King Bango of Cape Lopez. Bango had accused -Nchouga of bewitching him, whereupon the latter, to save his life, fled -from the country; and having married one of the daughters of Sangala, -he came to his father-in-law for protection. - -Nchouga was a very cunning fellow; fortunately I knew him well, and -he could not fool me so easily as he thought. He came to tell me that -Sangala was the master of all the river; that he was a very great king; -that he would not let me go to Ranpano, who was only a vassal of the -great Sangala; therefore, he advised me as a friend--an old friend--to -go ashore at Elindé. - -I could read the cunning rogue. He had been one of the greatest rascals -of Cape Lopez, and his slave dealings had not improved him. So I sent -Nchouga off; I wanted to go to sleep. He had come out to test me; they -thought I was a green hand at slave-trading. - -Early next morning Sangala sent off a boat for me. On my arrival at -Elindé, which village was about two miles from the river's mouth, I was -conducted to the best house. Hither presently came King Sangala, who, -in order to nerve himself for the occasion, had got drunk, and came -attended by a great crowd of eager subjects. He grew very angry when I -stated my intention of passing up the river, and going to Ranpano, and -also into the interior. He declared that I should not go; he was the -big king there and everywhere all over the world, and I must settle in -his town. - -I declared that I should go on. Sometimes I wonder that they did not at -once make me a prisoner. - -We had some sharp words, and I explained to his majesty that I was -an old African traveller, and saw through all his lies; that he was -not the big king of the country, as he said. Then he said I might go -wherever I liked, provided I would have a factory built in his village. - -I said that I had no factory to build in his village; but I offered to -"dash" him (give him some presents). - -He refused this offer; and now Ranpano, having just come, assured me -that I should be backed up. I told Sangala I should force my way up. -Sangala and all his people shouted with all their might that there -should be war; Sangala, as he got up to say so, reared and tumbled -down, he was so drunk. - -So I left Sangala. By that time it rained so hard that no one followed -us. It is wonderful how a crowd is dispersed by a shower of rain. - -A great palaver was looming up; the excitement had spread over the -country. In the meantime I had succeeded in going to Ranpano's village, -situated up the river, five or six miles above Elindé. Ranpano gave me -as much land as I wanted. My goods must come to his village; but it -seemed that they could not be brought there without great trouble. Our -canoes would be attacked by Sangala's people. Men would be killed; and -we might be routed, unless we had a powerful force. - -One morning the war drums beat. All Ranpano's friends had gathered to -help fight Sangala. Canoe after canoe came in loaded with armed men, -with drums beating, and all hands shouting, and waving their swords, -guns, and spears. All were prepared to assist Ranpano's white man; -all were anxious to burn and plunder Elindé, ready even to die in the -undertaking. There was King Ritimbo, with two canoes and fifty men; -King Mombon, from Sanguibiuri, also had two canoes; altogether we had -no less than twenty big canoes, and could muster about three hundred -men, most of whom were drunk on _mimbo_ (palm-wine), and as noisy and -as ready for fight as drunkenness will make an African. The drums -were beaten, war songs were sung, and guns fired, as we paddled down -the river. All hands had their faces painted white, which is a sign -of war; and were covered with fetiches and other amulets. The white -chalk or ochre was a sovereign protection against danger, and their war -fetiches would prevent them from being killed. I could not recognise -old Ranpano, his body was so daubed with paint. - -One would have supposed these terrible fellows were bent upon the most -bloody of raids. I wondered if all this uproar would end in smoke; I -thought it would; nor was I disappointed. As these terrible warriors -approached the village of Elindé they became less demonstrative. When -they came in sight of Sangala's town, they pushed over to the other -shore, out of the way, and took care to keep the Caroline between the -enemy and themselves. The sight of Sangala's warriors had wrought a -wonderful change in their warlike feelings. They really began to think -that there might be some fighting. - -We found that Sangala had also gathered his friends, and had about one -hundred and fifty men ready for the fight, who probably felt about as -courageous as my men did. These fellows were painted more outrageously -than mine, having red as well as white applied in broad stripes. They -looked like so many devils shouting and firing guns, each side knowing -their mutual lack of courage, and thinking it prudent to scare the -other in advance. - -My men fired guns, sung, and danced war dances. I went on board my -schooner. One small canoe on Sangala's side, with two men, who were -unarmed, started from the shore towards us. This of course meant a -palaver; they came on board of the Caroline, where I was. I sent word -to Sangala, pointing to two little guns we had on deck, that if he -stopped me I would blow his canoes out of the water with grape-shot, -and would then go and bring a man-of-war to finish him up. I loaded my -guns and pistols before them. I made my men put good charges into their -pieces, and showed Sangala's men the bag of bullets I loaded them with, -and then sent them back, and awaited the event. - -I spied them with a glass. As soon as they landed the people surrounded -them; there was a grand palaver. - -Presently, from Sangala, came a small canoe to ask me ashore. Sangala -sent his Konde (chief wife) to be hostage for my safety. I determined -to go ashore, and, to show these negroes that I had no fear of them, I -took the woman along with me, to her great joy. Ranpano and his brother -kings protested against my rashness as they thought it. "Why not keep -Sangala's woman on board?" said they. But I told them it was not the -fashion of white people to fear anything. They looked at me as if to -say, "If you are not afraid we are." All this had its effect upon them, -and Ranpano and his brother kings were evidently impressed, and so also -was old Sangala when he saw me come with his wife by my side. - -We met on neutral ground outside his town. His army was drawn up in -battle array, and made a fine savage display, many of the men wearing -beautiful leopard skins about their waists. They came up to us at full -trot, when we were seated, and made as though they would spear us all; -and, if Sangala had not been close to me, I should have thought it was -to be the end of us all. Ranpano kept whispering in my ears, "Why did -you not keep Sangala's wife on board?" - -But this advance upon us was only a kind of military salute. Sangala, -this time, had become more gentle; he was not drunk, and, thinking that -perhaps there might really be a fight, he had become very quiet. He did -not wish to push matters to extremity. - -Presently, Sangala said he would let me pass if I would give him a -barrel of rum, a big one. I refused. I said I had none. He insisted -that they must rejoice and get drunk. He wanted to get drunk for -several days, and drink rum to his heart's content. At last, the -palaver was settled, and I gave him many presents; and thereafter King -Sangala became one of my best friends. - -Ranpano was delighted; he hugged Sangala; he swore eternal friendship, -and said that he loved him with all his heart. Sangala returned these -compliments. We made a sign, agreed upon to our men, that everything -was settled. Immediately they fired guns, embarked in their canoes, and -came over to Sangala's village. They made a fine display, as all their -canoes came in a line, and they were singing their war songs. - -They were met by Sangala's warriors; and they made a rush towards each -other as if they were to have a real fight, and then all was over and -they laughed over the palaver, and swore that they would not hurt each -other for the world. - -I need not say how glad I was that everything had ended so well. -Captain Cornillo, when everything looked black, swore that he never -would come again to this wild country; and the crew said I wanted them -all to be murdered. - -I found these Commi very good people. I took ashore canoe after canoe, -loaded with goods which might well tempt these poor negroes sorely. -Many of the things were brought loose to Ranpano's; and yet not a -single thing was stolen, not even the value of a penny. They were proud -that I had come to settle among them. I was the first white man who had -done so. - -I love these Commi people dearly; and I am sure they all love me also. -They took such great care of me. Ranpano was a very good king, and he -always tried to please me, and so did his people. Now and then they -did wrong; but these poor people knew no better, and they were sorry -afterwards. Not one would have tried to do me an injury, and I could -sleep with my doors wide open. - -[Illustration] - - [Illustration: AFRICAN BALL. KING OLENGA-YOMBI DANCING. - CHAP. XII.] - - - - -[Illustration] - -CHAPTER XXII. - - I BUILD A VILLAGE, AND CALL IT WASHINGTON--I START FOR THE - INTERIOR--MY SPEECH ON LEAVING--THE PEOPLE APPLAUD ME VOCIFEROUSLY, - AND PROMISE TO BE HONEST--WE REACH ANIAMBIA--THE "BIG KING," - OLENGA-YOMBI--A ROYAL BALL IN MY HONOUR--THE SUPERSTITIONS OF THE - NATIVES--A MAN TOSSED BY A BUFFALO. - - -I immediately began building a substantial settlement, not an _olako_. -I collected from a kind of palm tree a great many leaves, with which to -cover the roofs of the buildings I had to construct. I gathered also -a great quantity of branches from the same palm trees, and sticks, -and poles, and all that was necessary to make a house; and finally I -succeeded in building quite a village, which I called Washington. My -own house had five rooms; it was forty-five feet long by twenty-five -wide, and cost me about fifty dollars. My kitchen, which stood by -itself, cost four dollars. I had a fowl-house, containing a hundred -chickens (and such nice little tiny chickens they are in that country) -and a dozen ducks. My goat-house contained eighteen goats, and funny -goats they were. You had to milk a dozen of them to get a pint of milk. -I built a powder-house separate, for I do not like to sleep every day -in a place where there is powder. I had a dozen huts for my men. - -This was Washington in Africa, a very different place from Washington -in America. - -At the back of my village was a wide extent of prairie. In front was -the river Npoulounai winding along; and I could see miles out on the -way which I was soon to explore. The river banks were lined with the -mangrove trees; and, looking up stream, I could at almost any time see -schools of hippopotami tossing and tumbling on the flats or mud banks. - -I was now ready to explore the country, and go to Aniambia, where the -big king of the country lived. I bought a splendid canoe, made of -large trees, which I hoped would be serviceable to me in my up-river -explorations. I was now anxious to be off. - -Before starting I called Ranpano and all his people together, and said -that I had perfect confidence in them; that I was their white man, and -had come to them through much difficulty and many dangers. (Cheers.) -That Sangala's people wanted me, but I was determined to live with the -honest folks of Biagano (Ranpano's village). (Tremendous applause.) -That I was going away for a few days, and hoped to find my goods all -safe when I came back. - -At this, there were great shoutings of "You can go! Do not fear! We -love you! You are our white man! We will take care of you!" and so on; -amid which my sixteen men seized their paddles, and shoved off. - -At nine in the evening, the moon rose; and we pulled along through what -seemed a charming scene. The placid stream was shaded by the immense -trees which overhung its banks; and the silence was broken, now and -then, by the screech of some night-prowling blast, or, more frequently, -by the sudden plunge of a playful herd of hippopotami, some of which -came very dangerously near us, and might have upset our canoe. - -Towards midnight, my men became very tired, and we went ashore, at a -little village which was nearly deserted. We could find only three -old women, who were fast asleep and were not particularly anxious to -make us welcome. I was too sleepy to stand upon ceremonies, and stowed -myself away under a rough shed without walls. I had scarcely lain down, -when there came up, suddenly, one of those fierce tornadoes which pass -over these countries in the rainy season. - -Fortunately, it was a dry tornado. In my half-sleepy state I did not -care to move. As the tornado had unroofed every other shed as well as -mine, nothing would have been gained by moving, even if it had rained. - -The next morning we paid for our lodging, not in hard cash, but with -some leaves of tobacco, and up the river we paddled until we reached -a village called Igala Mandé, which is situated on the banks of the -river. In a two hours' walk through grass fields we found numerous -birds. One, in particular, was new to me, the _Mycteria senegalensis_. -It had such long legs that it fairly outwalked me. I tried to catch it; -but, though it would not take to its wings, it kept so far ahead that I -did not even get a fair shot at it. This _Mycteria senegalensis_ is a -beautiful bird, and wanders here through the grass of the prairie. - -There were also great flocks of a beautiful bird, whose dark golden -body-plumage and long snow-white downy necks make a very fine and -marked contrast with the green grass. Next to these, in point of -number, was the snow-white _egretta_, which is found in vast flocks all -along this coast. - -At last we came to Aniambia. Olenga-Yombi, the king, came in from his -plantation when he heard the joyful news that a white man had arrived. -I paid him a state visit. He was a drunken old wretch, surrounded -by a crowd of the chief men of the town. His majesty had on a thick -overcoat, but no trousers; and, early as it was, he had already taken a -goodly quantity of palm-wine, and was quite drunk. I was invited to sit -at his right hand. - -King Olenga-Yombi was one of the ugliest fellows I ever met with. He -always carried with him a long stick; and when drunk he struck at his -people right and left, and shouted, "I am a big king!" Happily, they -managed to keep out of his way. - -At nightfall I got a guide, and went out to see if I could get a shot -at something larger than a bird. We had gone but a little way, when -my guide pointed out to me a couple of bright glowing spots, visible -through a piece of thick brush. The fellow trembled, as he whispered -"Leopard!" But I saw at once that it was only the light of a couple -of fireflies which had got in proper position to make a tolerable -resemblance to the glowing eyes of the dreaded leopard. - -I did not think much of the bravery of my guide. What a difference -between him and Aboko, Niamkala, or Fasiko! I wished that I had them -with me. - -At two o'clock in the morning we at last heard a grunting, which -announced the approach of a herd of wild hogs. I lay in wait for them, -and I was fortunate enough to kill the big boar of the pack. The rest -of the herd made off without showing a desire for fight. - -The next day, King Olenga-Yombi held a grand dance in my honour. All -the king's wives, to the number of forty, and all the women in the -town and neighbourhood were present. - -Fortunately, the dance was held out in the street, and not in a room, -as at Cape Lopez. The women were ranged on one side, the men opposite. -At the end of the line sat the drummers, beating their huge tom-toms, -which make an infernal din, enough to make one deaf; and, as if for -this occasion the tom-toms were not entirely adequate, there was a -series of old brass kettles, which also were furiously beaten. In -addition, as if the noise was not yet enough, a number of boys sat near -the drummers, and beat on hollow pieces of wood. What beauty they found -in such music I cannot tell. There was of course singing and shouting; -and the more loudly and energetically the horrid drums were beaten, and -the worse the noise on the brass kettles, the wilder were the jumps of -the male Africans, and the more disgusting the contortions of the women. - -As may be imagined, to beat the tom-tom is not a labour of love; -the stoutest negro is worn out in an hour; and for such a night's -entertainment as this, a series of drummers was required. - -The people enjoyed it vastly; their only regret was that they had not -a barrel of rum in the midst of the street, with which to refresh -themselves in the pauses of the dance; but they managed to get just as -drunk on palm-wine, of which a great quantity was served out. - -The excitement became greatest when the king danced. His majesty was -pretty drunk, and his jumps were very highly applauded. His wives -bowed down to his feet while he capered about, and showed towards him -the deepest veneration. The drums and kettles were belaboured more -furiously than ever, and the singing, or rather the shouting, became -stentorian. - -Of course I did not think his majesty's party pleasant enough to -detain me all night. I retired, but could not sleep. - -Now I think I have given you a sufficient account of a ball at -Aniambia, and of how his majesty Olenga-Yombi danced. - -There are two very curious fetich-houses in Aniambia, which enjoy the -protection of two spirits of great power--Abambou and Mbiuri. The -former is an evil spirit, a kind of devil; the latter, as far as I have -been able to ascertain, is beneficent. - -The little houses where these spirits sometimes condescend to come and -sleep for the night were about six feet square. In the house of Abambou -I saw a fire, which I was told was never permitted to go out. I saw no -idol, but only a large chest, on the top of which were some white and -red chalk and some red parrot-feathers. The chalk was used to mark the -bodies of the devout. - -Abambou is the devil of the Commi people. He is a wicked and -mischievous fellow, who often lives near graves and burial-grounds, and -is most comfortably lodged among the skeletons of the dead. He takes -occasional walks through the country, and, if he gets angry at anyone, -he has the power to cause sickness and death. The Commi people cook -food for him, which is deposited in lonely places in the woods, and -there they address him in a flattering manner, and ask him to be good -to them, and, in consideration of their gifts, and of the great care -they take of him, to let them alone. I was present once at a meeting -where Abambou was being addressed in public. They cried continually: -"Now we are well! Now we are satisfied! Now be our friend, Abambou, and -do not hurt us!" - -The offerings of plantain, bananas, sugar-cane, ground-nuts, etc., -etc., are wrapped in leaves by the free men, but the slaves lay them -on the bare ground. Sometimes Abambou is entreated to kill the enemies -of him who is making the offering. A bed is made in Abambou's house, -and there he is believed to rest himself sometimes, when he is tired -going up and down the coast in the forest. - -Mbiuri, whose house I next visited, is lodged and kept much in the same -way as his rival. He is a good spirit, but his powers are like those -of Abambou, as far as I could make out. Not being wicked, he is less -zealously worshipped. - -These Commi people are full of superstition. They believe in a third -and much-dreaded spirit, called Ovengua. This is a terrible catcher -and _eater_ of men. He is not worshipped, and has no power over -disease; but he wanders unceasingly through the forests, and catches -and destroys luckless travellers who cross his path. By day he lives -in dark caverns, but at night he roams freely, and even sometimes gets -into the body of a man, and beats and kills all who come out in the -dark. Sometimes, they relate, such a spirit is met and resisted by a -body of men, who wound him with spears, and even kill him. In this case -the body must be burned, and not even the smallest bone left, lest a -new Ovengua should arise from it. There are many places where no object -in the world would induce a Commi negro to go by night, for fear of -this dreadful monster. - -They have a singular belief that when a person dies who has been -bewitched, the bones of his body leave the grave one by one, and form -in a single line united to each other, which line of bones gradually -becomes an Ovengua. - -It is not an easy matter to get at the religious notions of these -people. They themselves have no well-defined ideas of them, and on many -points they are not very communicative. - -I suppose they think that sometimes the Ovengua is in a man; hence they -kill him and burn his body. - -Of course the Commi people, like all other negroes, are firm believers -in witchcraft. - -Not very far from Aniambia, there is a place in the forest which is -supposed to be haunted by the spirit of a crazy woman, who, some -hundreds of years ago, left her home. They believe that she cultivates -her plantation in some hidden recess in the forest, and that she often -lies in wait for travellers, whom she beats and kills out of pure -malice. - -While at Aniambia I had a great adventure with a _bos brachicheros_, -which might have ended in a terrible way. I started out early one day -to try and get a shot at some buffaloes which were said to be in the -prairie at the back of the town. I had been an hour on the plains -with Ifouta, a hunter, when we came upon a bull feeding in the midst -of a little prairie surrounded by woods, which made an approach easy. -I remember well how beautiful the animal looked. Ifouta walked round -through the jungle opposite to where I lay in wait; for, if the animal -should take fright at him, it might fly towards me. When he reached the -right position, Ifouta began to crawl, in the hunter's fashion, through -the grass towards his prey. All went well till he came near enough for -a shot. Just then, unluckily, the bull saw him. Ifouta immediately -fired. It was a long shot, and he only wounded the beast, which, -quite infuriated, immediately rushed upon him. It was now that poor -Ifouta lost his presence of mind. In such cases, which are continually -happening to those who hunt the _bos brachicheros_, the proper course -for the hunter is to remain perfectly quiet till the beast is within a -jump of him, then to step nimbly to one side, and let him rush past. -But Ifouta got up and ran. - -The bull ran faster than he, and in a moment had him on his horns. He -tossed him high into the air, once, twice, thrice, before I could come -up; for, as soon as I saw what had happened, I ran as fast as I could -to the rescue, and my shouts drew the bull's fury upon myself. He left -Ifouta and came rushing at me, thinking that he would serve me as he -had just served Ifouta. Master Bull was sadly mistaken. I took a good -aim, and down came the bull, to rise no more. - -Ifouta proved to be considerably bruised; but, on the whole, he was -more scared than hurt. It was fortunate for him that the horns of these -buffaloes slant backwards a good deal, and are curved. - -[Illustration] - - - - -[Illustration: CAPTURING A YOUNG GORILLA.] - -CHAPTER XXIII. - - CAPTURE OF A YOUNG GORILLA--I CALL HIM "FIGHTING JOE"--HIS - STRENGTH AND BAD TEMPER--HE PROVES UNTAMEABLE--JOE - ESCAPES--RE-CAPTURED--ESCAPES AGAIN--UNPLEASANT TO HANDLE--DEATH OF - "FIGHTING JOE." - - -I remember well the day when I first possessed a live gorilla. Yes, a -gorilla that could roar; a young gorilla alive! He was captured not far -from Cape St. Catherine, and dragged into Washington. - -My hunters were five in number, and were walking very silently through -the forest, when suddenly the silence was broken by the cry of a young -gorilla for its mother. Everything was still. It was about noon, and -they immediately determined to follow the cry. - -Soon they heard the cry again. Gun in hand, the brave fellows crept -noiselessly towards a clump of wood where the baby gorilla evidently -was. They knew the mother would be near; and there was a likelihood -that they might encounter the male also, which they dread more than -they do the mother. But they determined to risk everything, and, if -possible, to take the young one alive, knowing how pleased I should be, -for I had been long trying to capture a young gorilla. - -Presently they perceived the bush moving; and crawling a little farther -on, in dead silence, scarcely breathing with excitement, they beheld -what had seldom been seen even by negroes. A young gorilla was seated -on the ground, as the picture shows you, eating some berries, which -grew close to the earth. A few feet farther on sat the mother, also -eating of the same fruit. - -Instantly they made ready to fire; and none too soon, for the old -female saw them as they raised their guns, and they had to pull -triggers without delay. Happily, they wounded her mortally. - -She fell on her face, the blood gushing from the wounds. The young one, -hearing the noise of the guns, ran to his mother and clung to her, -hiding his face and embracing her body. The hunters immediately rushed -towards the two, hallooing with joy. How much I wished that I had been -with them, and been so fortunate as to assist in the capture of a live -gorilla! - -Their shouts roused the little one, who, by this time, was covered with -blood coming from his mother's wounds. He instantly let go of his -mother and ran to a small tree, which he climbed with great agility. -There he sat and roared at them savagely. They were now perplexed how -to get at him. What was to be done? No one cared to run the chance of -being bitten by this savage little beast. They did not want to shoot -him, for they knew I should never forgive them for doing so. He would -not come down the tree, and they did not care to climb it after him. At -last they cut down the tree, and, as it fell, they dexterously threw -a cloth over the head of the young monster, and thus gained time to -secure it while it was blinded. With all these precautions, one of the -men received a severe bite on the hand, and another had a piece taken -out of his leg. - -The little brute, though very diminutive, and the merest baby in age, -was astonishingly strong, and by no means good-tempered. They found -they could not lead him. He constantly rushed at them, showing fight, -and manifesting a strong desire to take a piece, or several pieces, out -of every one of their legs, which were his special objects of attack. -So they were obliged to get a forked stick, in which his neck was -inserted in such a way that he could not escape, and yet could be kept -at a safe distance. It must have been very uncomfortable for him; but -it was the only way of securing themselves against his nails and teeth, -and thus he was brought to Washington. - -The excitement in the village was intense, as the animal was lifted -out of the canoe in which he had come down the river. He roared and -bellowed; and looked around wildly with his wicked little eyes, giving -fair warning that if he could get at any of us he would take his -revenge. Of course, no one came in his way. - -I saw that the stick hurt his neck, and immediately set about having a -cage made for him. In two hours we had built a strong bamboo house with -the slats securely tied at such a distance apart that we could see the -gorilla, and it could see out. We made it as strong as we could, and I -was very careful to provide against every chance of his escaping. In -this cage he was immediately deposited; and now, for the first time, I -had a fair chance to look at my prize. - -As I approached the cage he darted at me; but I could afford to have a -good laugh over him, for I knew he could not get near enough to bite -me. He looked at me with very savage eyes. - -I named the gorilla Joe--"Fighting Joe." He was evidently not three -years old, but fully able to walk alone, and possessed, for his age, -of very extraordinary strength. His height was about three feet and -six inches. His hands and face were very black, his eyes were sunken. -The hair on his head was of a reddish-brown colour. It began just at -the eyebrows and came down the sides of the face to the lower jaw, -just as our beards grow. The whiskers, if we may call them so, were -of a blackish colour. The face was smooth, and intensely black. The -upper lip was covered with short, coarse hair; I wondered if it was -the beginning of a moustache. I found afterwards that gorillas had no -moustaches. The lower lip had longer hair; and I wondered also if in -time an imperial would grow there. There were eyelashes too, though -these were slight and thin. The eyebrows were straight. Excepting the -face, and the palms of his hands and feet, his whole body was covered -with hair. On the back, the hair was of an iron grey, becoming quite -dark near the arms. On the arms, the hair was longer than anywhere else -on the body, as you may see by the picture. - -After I had looked carefully at the little fellow, and knew well that -he was safely locked in his cage, I ventured to approach him to say -a few encouraging words. He stood in the farthest corner; but as I -approached, he bellowed and made a precipitate rush at me. Though I -retreated as quickly as I could, he succeeded in catching my trousers' -legs with the toes of one of his feet, and then retreated immediately -to the farthest corner. This taught me caution; I must not approach too -near. - -Shall I be able to tame him? I thought I should; but I was disappointed. - -He sat in his corner, looking wickedly out of his grey eyes; and I -never saw a more morose or ill-tempered face than this little beast -had. I do not believe that gorillas ever smile. - -Of course I had to attend to the wants of my captive. My first business -in the morning was to attend on Joe. I sent for some of the forest -berries which these animals are known to prefer, and placed these and -a cup of water within his reach. He was exceedingly shy, and would -neither eat nor drink till I had removed to a considerable distance. - -The second day I found Joe fiercer than on the first. He rushed -savagely at anyone who stood even for a moment near his cage and seemed -ready to tear us to pieces. A fine specimen of man-monkey, thought I; a -tiger under the disguise of a gorilla. I wondered what kind of a cage a -full-grown gorilla would require. I should certainly not care to be his -keeper. - -I threw Joe pieces of pine-apple leaves; and I noticed that he ate only -the white part. There seemed to be no difficulty about his food, as -long as it was gathered from his native woods; but he refused all other -kinds of food. He was very fond of bananas and ripe plantains. - -The third day Joe was still more morose and savage, bellowing when any -persons approached, or retiring to a distant corner to make a rush upon -them. - -On the fourth day, while no one was near, the little rascal succeeded -in forcing apart two of the bamboo sticks which composed his cage and -made his escape. I came up just as his flight was discovered, and -immediately got all the negroes together for pursuit. Where had he -gone? I was determined to surround the wood and recapture him. Running -into my house to get one of my guns, I was startled by an angry growl -issuing from under my low bedstead. It was Master Joe; there was no -mistake about it; I knew his growl but too well. Master Joe lay there -hid, but anxiously watching my movements. I cleared out faster than I -came in. I instantly shut the windows, and called to my people to guard -the door. When Joe saw the crowd of black faces he became furious; and -with his eyes glaring, and every sign of rage in his little face and -body, he got out from beneath the bed. He was about to make a rush at -all of us. He was not afraid. A stampede of my men took place. I shut -the door quickly, and left Joe master of the premises. I preferred -devising some plans for his easy capture, to exposing myself and men to -his terrible teeth; for the little rascal could bite very hard, and I -did not care to have a piece taken out of one of my legs. How to take -him was now a puzzling question. He had shown such strength and such -rage already that I did not care, and none of my men seemed to care, -to run the chance of getting badly beaten in a hand-to-hand struggle, -in which we were pretty sure to come off the worse. Meantime, peeping -through the keyhole, I saw Master Joe standing still in the middle -of the room looking about for his enemies, and examining, with some -surprise, the furniture. He seemed to think that he had never seen -such things before. I watched with fear, lest the ticking of my clock -should attract his attention, and perhaps lead him to an assault upon -that precious article. Indeed, I should have left Joe in possession, -but for a fear that he would destroy the many little articles of value -or curiosity I had hung about the walls, and which reminded me so much -of America. - -Finally, seeing Joe to be quiet, I despatched some fellows for a net; -and, opening the door quickly, I threw this over his head. Fortunately -we succeeded at the first throw in effectually entangling the young -monster, who roared frightfully, and struck and kicked in every -direction under the net. So fearfully was he excited that I thought he -would die in a fit of rage. I took hold of the back of his neck; two -men seized his arms, and another the legs; and, thus held by four men, -we could hardly manage Joe. - -We carried him as quickly as we could to the cage, which had been -repaired, and then once more locked him in. I never saw such a furious -beast in my life as he was. He darted at everyone. He bit the bamboos -of his cage. He glared at us with venomous and sullen eyes, and in -every motion showed a temper thoroughly wicked and malicious. - -After this Joe got worse than ever; and as good treatment only made -him more morose and savage, I tried what starvation would do towards -breaking his spirit. Besides, it began to be troublesome to procure his -food from the woods, and I wanted him to become accustomed to civilized -food, which was placed before him. But he would touch nothing of the -kind. How was I to bring him to America? I could not put an African -forest on board. As for his temper, after starving him for twenty-four -hours, all I gained was, that he came slowly up and took some berries -from the forest out of my hand and then immediately retreated to -his corner to eat them. Daily attentions from me, for a fortnight -more, did not bring me any further confidence from him than this. He -always snarled at me; and only when very hungry would he take even his -choicest food from my hand. - -At the end of this fortnight I came one day to feed him, and found that -he had gnawed a bamboo to pieces slily, and again made his escape. -Luckily he had but just gone, for as I looked around I caught a sight -of him making off on all fours, and with great speed, across the -prairie for a clump of trees. - -I at once gave the alarm. I called the men up, and we gave chase, -taking with us all the fishing nets. He saw us, and, before we could -head him off, made for another clump, which was thicker and larger. -This we surrounded. He did not ascend a tree, but stood defiantly at -the border of the wood. About one hundred and fifty of us surrounded -him. As we moved up he began to yell, and made a sudden dash upon a -poor fellow who was in advance. The fellow ran, and tumbled down in -affright. By his fall he escaped the tender mercies of Joe's teeth; -but he also detained the little rascal long enough for the nets to be -thrown over him. - -Four of us bore him again, struggling, into the village. This time I -would not trust him to the cage, but fastened a small chain round his -neck. This operation he resisted with all his might, and it took us -quite an hour to securely chain the little fellow, whose strength was -something marvellous. - -Ten days after he was thus chained he died quite suddenly. He had been -in good health, and ate plentifully of his natural food, which was -brought every day from the forest for him. He did not seem to sicken -until two days before his death. He died in some pain. To the last he -continued utterly untameable, and after his chain was put on he added -treachery to his other vices. He would come sometimes quite readily to -eat out of my hand, but while I stood by him would suddenly--looking -me all the time in the face to keep my attention--put out his foot and -grasp at my leg. Several times he tore my pantaloons in this manner. A -quick retreat on my part saved my legs from further injury, but I had -to be very careful in my approaches. The negroes could not come near -him at all without setting him in a rage. He seemed always to remember -that they captured him, and to think he had experienced rather too hard -treatment at their hands; but he evidently always cherished towards me -also a feeling of revenge. - -After he was chained I filled a half barrel with hay, and set it near -him for his bed. He recognised its use at once, and it was pretty to -see him shake up the hay and creep into this nest when he was tired. At -night he always shook it up, and then took some hay in his hands, with -which he would cover himself when he was snug in his barrel. He often -moaned, for his mother perhaps, at night. - -After Joe died I stuffed his body, and brought his skin and skeleton to -New York, where many saw it. Around his neck, where the chain had been, -the hair was worn off. - -Poor Joe! I wish he had lived and become tame, so that I could have -brought him home with me to show the children. - -Now poor Joe can be seen stuffed in the British Museum. - - - - -[Illustration: HIPPOPOTAMI AT HOME.] - -CHAPTER XXIV. - - THE HIPPOPOTAMUS--A DUEL--SHOOTING ON THE RIVER--NEARLY UPSET--A - NIGHT-HUNT ON LAND--MY COMPANION FIRES AND RUNS--APPEARANCE AND - HABITS OF THE HIPPOPOTAMUS. - - -What have we yonder in the water? A flock of hippopotami! Their bodies -look for all the world like so many old weather-beaten logs stranded on -a mud-bank or a sand-bar. - -Every thing was still. The sun was very hot, and all nature seemed -to repose. I was concealed on the banks of the river, under a very -shady tree, watching them. Suddenly, not far from me, two huge beasts -rose as by enchantment to the surface of the water and rushed towards -each other. Their vast and hideous mouths were opened to their utmost -capacity, showing their huge crooked tusks, which gave their mouths -a savage appearance. Their eyes were flaming with rage, and each of -them put forth all his power to annihilate the other. They seized each -other with their jaws; they stabbed and punched with their strong -tusks, lacerating each other in a frightful manner; they advanced -and retreated; now they were at the top of the water, and now they -sank down to the bottom. Their blood discoloured the river, and their -groans or grunts of rage were hideous to listen to. They showed little -power of strategy, but rather a piggish obstinacy in maintaining their -ground, and a frightful savageness of demeanour. The combat lasted -an hour. It was a grand sight. The water around them was sometimes -white with foam. At last one turned about and made off, leaving the -other victorious and master of the field. A few days after, I killed a -hippopotamus, and its thick hide was lacerated terribly. Doubtless it -was one of the beasts I had seen fighting. - -The hippopotamus is found in most of the rivers of Africa which empty -themselves into the Atlantic or Indian Ocean, but in none but the Nile -of those which empty themselves into the Mediterranean; and in the Nile -it is only met far up the river. Many as there were of them on the -Fernand-Vaz, they were more numerous on the Ogobai. - -How much sport I have had with them! How often have I studied their -habits! And now I must give you some account of my encounters with them. - -About five miles above my little settlement at Washington there was a -place in the river shallow enough for them to stand and play around, -and there they remained all day playing in the deep water, sometimes -diving, but for the most part standing on the shallows, with only their -ugly noses or heads lifted out of the water. - -One fine morning I went towards them. We approached slowly and with -caution to within thirty yards of them without seeming to attract the -slightest attention from the sluggish animals. One might have asked -himself, "Are they hippopotami or not?" Stopping there I fired five -shots, and, so far as I could see, I killed three hippopotami. The ear -is one of the most vulnerable spots, and this was my mark every time. - -The first shot was received with very little attention by the herd; but -the struggles of the dying animal I had hit, which turned over several -times and finally sank to the bottom, seemed to rouse the others, who -began to plunge about and dive down into deep water. The blood of my -victims discoloured the water all around, and we could not see whether -those who escaped were not swimming for us. - -Presently the canoe received a violent jar, and, looking overboard, we -perceived that we were in the midst of the herd. "The hippopotami are -coming upon us!" shouted the men; "they are going to attack us!" We -pulled out of the way as fast as we could, none of us being anxious to -be capsized. It would have been a comical sight to see us swimming in -the midst of a flock of hippopotami, and some of us, perhaps, raised up -on the back of one as he came to the surface, or lifted, maybe, with -his two crooked tusks in our body. - -We were soon out of the way, and looking back to see where were the -animals I had killed, I saw nothing. They had sunk to the bottom, and -of the three, only one was recovered. It was found two days afterwards -on a little island near the river's mouth. Seeing this, I resolved -never to shoot hippopotami while they are in the water, for I did not -want to kill these animals for nothing; I wanted their skins and their -skeletons to enrich our museums. - -Some time after Joe had died, I determined to go on a night hunt after -hippopotami. These animals come ashore by night to feed. - -The Fernand-Vaz runs for many miles parallel with the seashore, -separated from the sea by a strip of sandy prairie. On this prairie -the hippopotamus feeds. He is sometimes called the sea-horse, for when -his head is out of the water it looks from a distance exactly like the -head of a horse. The "walk" of a herd is easily discernible. It looks -very much like a regular beaten road, only their immense footprints -showing who are its makers. In their track no grass grows. They always -return by the same path they go out on. This gives the hunter a great -advantage. - -I chose moonlight night, and paddled up to the vicinity of one of -these "walks." There Igala, my hunter, and I set out by ourselves. -I had painted my face with a mixture of oil and soot, which is a -prudent measure for a white hunter in Africa. The beasts there seem -to have a singularly quick eye for anything white. I made myself look -exactly like Igala. We both had black faces and black hands. I was -dressed in the usual dark suit of clothes for the night; people there -must not go hunting in light-coloured garments. We chose the windward -side of the track, for the hippopotamus has a very keen scent, and is -easily alarmed at night, feeling, probably, that on land his sluggish -movements, huge bulk, and short legs have their disadvantages. - -We lay down under shelter of a bush and watched. As yet none of the -animals had come out of the water. We could hear them in the distance -splashing about in the water, their subdued snort-like roars breaking -in upon the stillness of the night in a very odd way. It was the only -noise we heard--no, I cannot say the only noise, for the mosquitoes -were busily buzzing around, and feeding upon us, taking advantage, -apparently, of our anxiety to keep perfectly quiet. - -The moon was nearly down, and the watch was getting tedious, when I -was startled by a sudden groan. Peering into the distance, I saw dimly -a huge animal looking doubly monstrous in the uncertain light. It was -quietly eating grass, which it seemed to nibble off quite close to the -ground. - -There was another bush between us and our prey, and we crawled up to -this in dead silence. Arrived there, we were but eight yards from -the great beast. How terrible he looked! The negroes who hunt the -hippopotami are sometimes killed; I thought that one of us might be -killed also. The animal, if only wounded, turns savagely upon his -assailants, and experience has taught the negro hunters that the only -safe way to approach him is from behind. He cannot turn quickly, and -thus the hunter has a chance to make good his escape. This time we -could not get into a very favourable position; but I determined to have -my shot nevertheless, eight yards being a safe killing distance, even -with so poor a light as we had by this time. - -We watched the hippopotamus intently, looking at each other as if to -say, "Are you ready?" We then raised our guns slowly. Igala and I -both took aim. He fired and, without waiting to see the result, ran -as swiftly as a good pair of legs could carry him. I was not quite -ready, but fired the moment after him, and before I could get ready for -running (in which I had not Igala's practice) I saw there was no need -for it. The beast tottered for a moment, and fell over with a booming -sound, dead. - -This closed our night's sport, as none of the herd would come this -way while their companion lay there. So we returned home. Poor Igala -remonstrated with me for not running as he did. It appears that running -was considered one of the chief accomplishments of the hippopotamus -hunter. Our good luck created great joy in the village, where meat -was scarce. The men went out at daylight and brought the flesh home. -Basket after basket came in, and as each one arrived all shouted except -those who did not eat the hippopotamus. It is _roonda_ for them. Some -of their ancestry had a long time ago given birth to a hippopotamus, -and if they were to eat any, more births of hippopotami would come to -them, or they would die. These shouted, "I wish he had killed a bullock -instead of a hippopotamus." - -The meat does not taste unlike beef, but was not so red. It was rather -coarse-grained, and in the case of this animal it was not fat. It makes -a welcome and wholesome dish. I tried to have some steaks; I must say -they were rather tough, and did not go down easily. The broth was -better, and I enjoyed it very much. There was something novel in having -hippopotamus soup. - -I have killed a good many hippopotami. It is a very clumsily-built, -unwieldy animal, remarkable chiefly for its enormous head, whose -upper jaw seemed to be movable, like the crocodile's, and for its -disproportionately short legs. The male is much larger than the female; -indeed, a full-grown male sometimes attains the bulk, though not the -height, of the elephant. In the larger specimens the belly almost -sweeps the ground as they walk. - -The feet are curiously constructed to facilitate walking among the -reeds and mud of the river bottom, and swimming with ease. The hoof is -divided into four short, apparently clumsy and unconnected toes; and -they are able, by this breadth of foot, to walk rapidly even through -the mud. I have seen them make quick progress, when alarmed, in water -so deep that their backs were just at the surface. - -The colour of the skin is a clayey yellow, assuming a roseate hue under -the belly. In the grown animal the colour is a little darker. The skin -of an adult hippopotamus is from one and a half to two inches thick on -the middle of the back. It is devoid of hair, with the exception of a -few short bristly hairs in the tail, and a few scattered tufts, of four -or five hairs each, near the muzzle. - -All along the Fernand-Vaz there were scattered herds of hippopotami; -and I used to watch them from my house. I could see them at any time -during the day. After they have chosen a spot, they like to remain -there day after day, and month after month, unless they are disturbed, -or their food becomes scarce. These animals consort together in herds -of from two to thirty. They choose shallows in the rivers, where the -depth of the water allows them to have their whole body submerged when -standing. There they remain all day, swimming off into the deep place, -diving for their grassy food, or gambolling in the waves. From time to -time they throw up a stream of water two or three feet high. This is -done with a noise like blowing, and it is doubtless an effort to get -breath. It is pleasant to watch a herd peacefully enjoying themselves, -particularly when they have two or three young ones among them. Some -of the little fellows look very small, and are comically awkward. They -chase each other about the shoals or play about their dams; and I have -often seen them seated on the back of their mother in the water. How -careful their mothers seemed to be when they were swimming about, and -carrying their young in the way I have described. It is a sight worth -seeing; sometimes the whole herd of hippopotami will disappear for a -long time under the water. - -They prefer parts of the rivers where the current is not very swift, -and are therefore to be found in all the lakes of the interior. They -prefer to be near grass fields. They are very fond of a particular -kind of coarse grass which grows on these prairies, and will travel -considerable distances to find it. They always return, however, before -daylight. Their path overland is very direct. Neither rocks nor swamps -nor bushes can prove formidable obstacles to a water beast of such -bulk. I have seen their path lie through the thickest woods. Unless -much pursued and harassed, they are not much afraid of man. If troubled -by hunters they move their encampment, or go into countries where they -can be more quiet. - -Some of their favourite grass was growing on a little plain at the back -of my house; and several times I found hippopotami tracks not more than -fifty yards from the house. They had not feared to come as near as -this; though probably, if the wind had been blowing towards them, they -would have avoided the place. - -They always choose a convenient landing-place, where the bank has a -long and easy incline. This landing-place they use till they have eaten -up all the provender which can be found in that vicinity. Before going -ashore, they watch for an hour, and sometimes for two hours, near the -landing, remaining very quiet themselves, and listening for danger. -The slightest token of the hunter's presence, or any other suspicious -appearances on such occasions, will send them away for that night. -If no danger appears they begin to wander ashore in twos or threes. I -never saw more than three of a herd grazing together; and, during their -stay ashore, they place more dependence on their ears than on their -eyes. I have watched them closely in many hunts; and I am sure that the -beast walks along with his eyes nearly shut. - -When playing in the water, this animal makes a noise very much -resembling the grunt of a pig. This grunt it utters also when alarmed -by the approach of man. When enraged, or suddenly disturbed, it utters -a kind of groan--a hoarse sound--which can be heard at a considerable -distance. They are quite combative among themselves, as you have seen -in the case of the fight I have described. - -[Illustration] - - [Illustration: MARABOUTS, STORKS, AND PELICANS. - CHAP. XXV.] - - - - -[Illustration] - -CHAPTER XXV. - - VISIT OF KING QUENGUEZA--I PROMISE TO VISIT HIM--THE KINDNESS OF - THE COMMI--THE DRY SEASON ON THE FERNAND-VAZ--PLENTY OF BIRDS AND - FISHES--THE MARABOUTS--THE EAGLES--A BAD WOUND. - - -One fine day I was quietly seated in my bamboo house, and reading -over, for the fiftieth time, the letters of the dear friends who had -not forgotten me, and were so kind as to remember me in my wandering -life in Africa. My attention was suddenly drawn away by the singing -of numerous voices coming down the river. Soon afterwards there stood -before me, accompanied by Ranpano, a tall venerable-looking and slender -negro of noble but savage bearing; he was evidently, I thought, a -chief; there was something commanding about his countenance. He was -not very dark. The people who came with him showed him great respect. -This tall negro was Quengueza, the great king of the Rembo, and the -sovereign of the whole up-river country of the Rembo and Ovenga, the -head waters of the Fernand-Vaz. - -He came down in considerable state in three canoes, with three of his -favourite wives, and about one hundred and thirty men. - -My little black boy, Macondai, brought him a chair; and after he had -seated himself I saluted him, according to the usual custom, by saying -"Mbolo." After a few seconds he said "Ai." Then he paused a little -while, and said "Mbolo," to which I replied "Ai." This is the usual -mode of salutation in the Commi country, the host beginning first. - -He looked at me and seemed very much astonished. He said he expected to -see a tall and stout man. He had heard of me as a great hunter. He was -now convinced, he said, that I must have a brave heart to hunt as I did. - -Fortunately, Quengueza and I could talk together, the Commi being his -native language. - -He told me there were plenty of gorillas and _nshiegos_ in his country; -and that, if I would come, I should have liberty and protection to hunt -and to do what I pleased. No one would hurt my people, or Ranpano's -people, or myself, or anybody, added he, with emphasis, that should -come with me. - -I liked the old king at first sight; but I little guessed then that he -would afterwards become so fond of me, and that I should love him so -much. Yes, I shall remember my good friend Quengueza as long as I live. -Though he is a poor heathen, his heart was full of love for me, and he -possessed many manly and noble qualities. - -I was so much pleased with King Quengueza's visit that I sent the -kind-hearted old fellow off with his canoes full of presents of iron -bars, brass rods, chests, etc.; and I gave him goods on trust with -which to buy me ebony. He promised me great sport, and an introduction -to some tribes of whom these Commi men of the seashore knew nothing. - -To do him greater honour my people fired a salute as he started off, -with which he was highly delighted, as an African is sure to be with -noise. He did not go before making me promise to come and see him as -soon as the rainy season arrived. - -The dry season was now setting in. It was the first I had spent in the -Commi country; and I devoted the whole month of July to exploring the -country along the seashore, between the Fernand-Vaz and the sea. - -There was quite a change. The birds, which were so abundant during -the rainy season, had taken their leave; and other birds, in immense -numbers, flocked in to feed on the fish, which now leave the seashore -and the bars of the river's mouth and ascend the river to spawn. Fish, -particularly mullet, were so abundant in the river that two or three -times, when I took my evening airing on the water in a flat upper-river -canoe, enough mullet would leap into the boat to furnish me a breakfast -the next day. The quantity of fish in the shallow water was prodigious. - -The breakers on the shore, never very light, were now frightful to -see. The coast was rendered inaccessible by them even to the natives, -and the surf increased to such a degree, even at the mouth of the -river, that it was difficult, and often impossible, to enter with a -canoe. Strong winds from the south prevailed, and, though the sky was -constantly overcast, not a drop of rain fell. The thermometer fell -sometimes early in the morning to 64° of Fahrenheit, and I suffered -from cold, as did also the poor natives. The grass on the prairie was -dried up or burnt over; the ponds were dried up; only the woods kept -their resplendent green. - -I was often left alone in that great prairie with my cook and my little -boy Macondai, and a dear little boy he was. I felt perfectly safe -among the good Commi. I always had tried to do right with them, and I -had reaped my reward. They loved me, and anyone who should have tried -to injure me would have no doubt been put to death or exiled from the -country. I shall always remember my little village of Washington and -the good Commi people. When perchance I got a chill the whole village -was in distress. No one was allowed to talk loud, and everyone would -call during the day and sit by me with a sad face for hours without -saying a word, and, when they went away, they all expressed their -sorrow to see me ill. The kind women would bring me wild fruits, or -cold water from the spring, in which to bathe my burning and aching -head; and sometimes tears would drop from their eyes and run down their -kind black faces. - -At this season the negroes leave their villages and work on their -plantations. The women gathered the crop of ground-nuts which had been -planted the preceding rainy season, while the men cut down the trees -for the plantations of the coming year, or built canoes, or idled about -or went fishing. Some of their farms are necessarily at some distance -off. The sandy prairie is not fit to cultivate, being, in fact, only -a deposit of the sea, which must have taken an incalculable period of -time to form. - -The birds flocked in immense numbers on the prairies, whither they come -to hatch their young; especially later in the season, when the ugly -marabouts, from whose tails our ladies get the splendid feathers for -their bonnets, were there in thousands; and I can assure you they were -not very easy to approach. I believe the marabout is the ugliest bird -I ever saw, and one would never dream that their beautiful feathers -are found only under the tail, and can hardly be seen when the bird is -alive. - -Pelicans waded on the river banks all day in prodigious swarms, and -gulped down the luckless fish which came in their way. I loved to see -them swimming about in grave silence, and every now and then grabbing -up a poor fish with their enormous, long, and powerful bills. If not -hungry, they left the fish in their huge pouches, till sometimes three -or four pounds of reserved food awaited the coming of their appetite. -This pouch, you see, performed the office of a pocket, where boys, when -not hungry, keep their apples in reserve. - -On the sandy islands were seen now and then flocks of the _Ibis -religiosa_, the sacred Ibis of the Egyptians. They looked exactly like -those that are found mummified, and which have been preserved several -thousand years. They are very curious-looking birds; the head and neck -have no feathers. I have tried to find their nests, but never succeeded. - -Ducks of various kinds built their nests in every creek and on every -new islet that appeared with the receding waters. Some of them were of -beautiful plumage. - -Cranes, too, and numerous other water-fowls, flocked in, and every day -brought with it new birds. They came by some strange instinct, from -far-distant lands, to feed upon the vast shoals of fish which literally -filled the river. I wondered if many of these birds had come from the -Nile, the Niger, the Zambesi--from the interior of Africa, where no one -had ever penetrated, and from the vast plains of South Africa. What -great travellers some of these birds must be! I envied them, and often -wished I could fly away, supported by their wings. What countries I -should have seen!--what curious people I should have looked at!--and -how many novel things I should have found to recount to you! - -Along the trees bordering the river, sometimes perched on their highest -branches, sometimes hidden in the midst of them, I could see that most -beautiful eagle, the _Gypohierax angolensis_, called _coungou_ by the -natives. This eagle is of a white and black colour. He often watches -over the water. How quickly his keen eyes can see through it! and with -what rapidity he darts at his prey! Then, seizing it in his powerful -talons, which sink deep into it, he rises into the air and goes where -he can devour it undisturbed. These eagles attack large fish. They -generally make them blind, and then gradually succeed in getting them -ashore, though it is hard work for them. They have a luxurious time on -the Fernand-Vaz river during the dry season, and are very numerous. -They build their nests on the tops of the highest trees, and come back -to them every year. These nests are exactly like those you have seen, -only larger. They keep very busy when their young begin to eat. The -male and female are then continually fishing. Strange to say, they are -very fond of the palm-oil nuts. In the season, when these are ripe, -they are continually seen among the palm trees. - -No wonder these eagles grab fish so easily, they have such claws! One -day, as one passed over my head, I shot him, and, thinking that he was -quite dead, I took him up, when suddenly, in the last struggle for -life, his talons got into my hands. I could have dropped down from -pain. Nothing could have taken the claws away; one of them went clear -through my hand, and I shall probably keep the mark of it all my life. - -On the seashore I sometimes caught a bird called the _Sula capensis_, -which had been driven ashore by the treacherous waves to which it had -trusted itself, and could not, for some mysterious reason, get away -again. - -Finally, every sand-bar was covered with gulls, whose shrill screams -were heard from morning till night, as they flew about greedily after -their finny prey. - -It was a splendid opportunity for sportsmen, and I thought of some of -my friends. As for myself, I took more delight in studying the habits -of the birds than in killing them, and I assure you I had a very -delightful time. I love dearly the dry season in Africa. I am sure you -would have enjoyed it quite as much as I did, if you had been there -with me. - -[Illustration] - - - - -[Illustration: THE KING RECEIVES ME.] - -CHAPTER XXVI. - - ANOTHER EXPEDITION TO LAKE ANENGUE--DIFFICULT PASSAGE UP THE - RIVER--THE CROCODILES--KING DAMAGONDAI AND HIS TROUBLES--I BUY AN - MBUITI, OR IDOL. - - -One fine morning there was a great bustle on the banks of the river -at Washington, where two canoes were loading. I was about to start on -another expedition. I called King Ranpano and his people together and -gave them charge of my property; I declared that if anything was stolen -during my absence I should surely punish the thief. - -They all protested that I need not even lock the doors of my house; and -I believed them. The Biagano people loved me, and did not steal from me. - -Then I counted my ten goats in their presence, and said that I wanted -no leopard stories told me when I came back. At this they shouted and -laughed. They declared that neither they nor the leopards should touch -my goats. - -I counted the fowls, and told them I wanted no snake stories about -them. Another hearty laugh, and they all shouted that no snakes should -gobble up my fowls. These matters having been satisfactorily arranged, -I started with my canoes and a well-armed crew. - -I was bound again for Lake Anengue, where I had been a few months -before. It was now the dry season. We had armed ourselves well, for -fear we might be interrupted, as some people came up this way to make -plantations during the dry season and might dispute our advance; I -determined to let no man bar the road to me. - -The dry season was at its height, and I found the Npoulounay shallower -than before. There was about fifteen feet less depth of water in the -Ogobai during the dry season than there was in the rainy season. At -this time the river was covered with muddy or sandy islands, many of -which were left dry. The muddy islands were covered with reeds, among -which sported the flamingo, a bird not seen here in the rainy season. - -We pulled hard all day, and we slept the first night on a sandy island -of the Ogobai river, under our mosquito-nets, of which I had laid in -a store. These nets, which the natives also use, are made of grass -cloth, which comes from the far interior, and does very well out doors, -where it keeps out the dew as well as the mosquitoes, and protects the -sleeper against the cold winds which prevail. - -The next morning, when I awoke, I saw, for the first time, a fog in -this part of Africa; it was very thick, but the sun drove it off. I -sent out my fishing-net, and in a few minutes the men caught fish -enough for supper and breakfast. - -After our breakfast of fish and plantain, we paddled on up the stream. -Though we had seen a few villages, we had not met a single canoe on the -water, and nothing human, except a corpse that came down the river and -ran against our canoe. It was probably the body of some poor wretch -who had been drowned on account of witchcraft. The hands and feet were -tied, so that when they threw him into the water he could not swim. - -Finally we entered the Anengue; but this river we found was entirely -changed since May. Then it was a deep, swift stream. Now its surface -was dotted with numberless black mud islands, on which swarmed -incredible numbers of crocodiles. We actually saw many hundreds of -these disgusting monsters, sunning themselves on the black mud, and -slipping off into the water to feed. I never saw such a horrible -sight. Many were at least twenty feet long; and when they opened their -frightful mouths they seemed capable of swallowing our little canoes -without trouble. I wondered what would become of us all if, perchance, -our canoe should capsize. - -I determined to have a shot at these crocodiles, which seemed no wise -frightened at our approach. Making my men paddle the boat quite near to -them, I singled out the biggest and lodged a ball in his body, aiming -at the joints of his fore legs, where the thick armour is defective. -He tumbled over, and, after struggling in the water for a moment, sank -into the mud. His companions turned their hideous snaky eyes down at -him, in momentary surprise, but did not know what to make of it, and -dropped back to their sluggish comfort. I shot another, but he sank -also, and as my men did not like to venture into the black mud after -them, we got neither. - -As we ascended the stream, it branched off in several places, and -became gradually narrower. Crocodiles were seen everywhere. At length -we found ourselves pushing laboriously along through a deep crooked -ditch, not more than two yards wide, and overhung with tall reeds, on -which a great number of birds balanced themselves, as though enjoying -our dilemma. We found this time, to my surprise, a tremendous current -running. In May, the water of the lake had overflowed its shores, and -its regular outlets had therefore no great pressure upon them. Now, -this outlet was choked with water, which rushed through at such a rate -that at some of the turns in the crooked channel we were actually swept -back several times before we could make our way ahead. At one point, -where the true outlets joined, we could not pass till I made the men -smoke their _condouquai_, a long reed pipe, which seems to give them -new vigour; I also gave them a sup of my brandy. This done, they gave -a great shout and pushed through, and in an hour after we emerged into -the lake, but not without tremendous exertions. - -We now lay on our paddles and gazed about us. On one side the lake is -bounded by hills which come close down to the shore; on the other side -the hills recede, and between them and the water lies a dreary extent -of low marsh, covered with reeds. Several towns were in sight, all -located on the summits of hills. - -The lake, alas! had changed with the season too. It was still a -beautiful sheet of water; but all over its placid face the dry season -had brought out an eruption of those black mud islands which we had -noticed before, and on these reposed, I fear to say what number of -crocodiles. Wherever the eye was turned these disgusting creatures, -with their dull leering eyes and huge savage jaws, appeared in -prodigious numbers. The water was alive with fish, on which I suppose -the crocodiles had fat living; but pelicans and herons, ducks and other -water-birds, also abounded, drawn hither by the abundance of their prey. - -Paddling carefully past great numbers of crocodiles, into whose ready -jaws I was by no means anxious to fall, and past several villages, -whose people looked at us with mute amazement, we reached at last the -town of Damagondai. A great crowd was assembled to receive us, headed -by the king himself, who stood on the shore. Quarters were provided for -me by his majesty, who, a short time after my arrival, presented me -with a goat. He was dressed in the usual middle-cloth of the natives, -and a tarnished scarlet soldier's coat, but was innocent of trousers. -His welcome, however, was not the less hearty because the pantaloons -were absent. - -His town, which contains about fifty huts, lies on some high ground, -at a little distance from the water. I distributed presents among the -grey-beards, and beads among the women, and thus put them all in good -humour. - -Damagondai, the king, then insisted that I must get married to at least -two or three women. He was amazed when I declined this flattering -proposal, and insisted upon it that my bachelor life must be very -lonely and disagreeable. - -The king was a tall, rather slim negro, over six feet high, and -well-shaped. In war, or in the chase, he had the usual amount of -courage, but at home he was exceedingly superstitious. As night came -on he seemed to get a dread of death; and at last began to groan that -some of the people wanted to bewitch him, in order to get his property -and his authority. Finally he would get excited, and begin to curse -all witches and sorcerers. He would say that no one should have his -wives and slaves; and that the people who wanted to kill him had better -beware; the _mboundou_ was ready. - -Certainly poor Damagondai must have slept on the wrong side, as I told -him afterwards, for the old fellow began to lecture his wives, telling -them to love him and feed him well, for he had given a great deal of -goods and slaves to their parents for them, and they were a constant -expense to him. To all this the poor women listened with respect. - -Damagondai and I were very good friends. I really don't know why, but, -wherever I went, these negroes seem to take a liking to me. - -In the village of Damagondai there was an _mbuiti_, "an idol," -representing a female figure, with copper eyes, and a tongue made of a -sharp sword-shaped piece of iron. This explained her chief attribute; -she cuts to pieces those with whom she is displeased. She was dressed -in the Shekiani cloth, covering her from the neck down. She is said -to speak, to walk, to foretell events, and to take vengeance on her -enemies. Her house is the most prominent one in the whole village. - -She comes to people by night and tells them in their sleep what is -going to happen. In this way, they asserted, my coming had been -foretold. They worship her by dancing around her and singing her -praises, and their requests. Sometimes a single woman or man comes -alone to prefer a request; and one evening I saw the whole village -engaged in this rite, all dancing and singing around her. They offer -her sugar-cane and other food, which they believe she eats. I tried to -buy this goddess, but, ugly as she was, Damagondai said that no amount -of money would purchase her. He insinuated, however, in a very slight -way, that for a proper price I might obtain the mbuiti of the slaves. -Then a great council took place with the grey-beards of the village. -The slaves were on the plantations. They agreed to tell them on their -return that they had seen their mbuiti walk off in the woods, and that -she had not returned. I could hear them laugh over what they thought to -be their clever plot. - -I paid them a good price for it. I packed the mbuiti up, and took her -off with me, and her portrait, an exact likeness, taken in New York -from the idol itself, is found in my book called "Equatorial Africa." - -I have often thought since how much I should have enjoyed seeing the -return of the slaves to the village. I should like to know if they -really believed that their mbuiti had left them; if so, there must have -been great wailing and mourning for fear that the wrath of the mbuiti -would come upon them. - -[Illustration] - - - - -[Illustration: A CROCODILE HUNT.] - -CHAPTER XXVII. - - A VISIT TO KING SHIMBOUVENEGANI--HIS ROYAL COSTUME--HUNTING - CROCODILES--HOW THEY SEIZE THEIR PREY--THE NKAGO--THE OGATA. - - -I resolved to embark again on the waters of the Anengue Lake and make a -little journey of exploration. Damagondai went in the canoe with me. He -was to take me to another king, a friend of his. - -We reached the residence of King Shimbouvenegani, a king with a long -name and a small village. We had to paddle through very shallow water -before reaching this place. - -When we arrived, the king with the long name was not at his village. -We were told he was at his _olako_--a place temporarily erected in the -woods when villagers go out to hunt, or fish, or pursue agriculture. - -They had chosen a charming spot in the woods, just upon the shores of -the lake, which here had abrupt banks. Their mosquito-nets were hung -up under the trees; every family had a fire built, and from the pots -came a fragrant smell of plantain and fish cooking. The savour was very -pleasant to me, for I was hungry. - -Presently, Shimbouvenegani came up. He was rejoiced to see me, and -thanked his friend Damagondai for bringing his white man to visit him. - -The appearance of Shimbouvenegani was comical. He was between sixty and -seventy years of age, and was quite lean. His only garment was a very -dirty swallow-tailed coat, which certainly must have belonged to the -time of my grandfather. The buttons were all gone. On his head he wore -a broad beaver hat, which dated nearly as far back as the coat itself. -The fur was entirely worn off, and the hat had a very seedy appearance. -But the king seemed very proud when he made his appearance. He thought -his costume was just the thing, and he looked loftily around, as if to -say, "Am I not a fine-looking fellow?" And truly, though his dress did -not amount to much according to our notions, I doubt not it had cost -him several slaves. - -He asked me how I liked his costume, at the same time taking one of the -smaller tails in his hand and shaking it. - -Presently, some large pots of palm-wine were brought, with which all -hands proceeded to celebrate my arrival. Damagondai and Shimbouvenegani -soon got drunk, and swore to each other eternal friendship, and -Shimbouvenegani promised to give one of his daughters in marriage to -Damagondai. - -Meantime, Damagondai had presented me to his eldest son, Okabi, who -resided in the village of Shimbouvenegani. Okabi arranged a nice little -place for me, with branches of trees, and made a kind of bed for me. He -then gave me his two wives to take care of me, and to cook for me. - -I had a very agreeable time in hunting while I was with -Shimbouvenegani. It was during my stay there that I discovered the -_nshiego mbouvé_, of which I will speak by-and-by. - -We also had a great crocodile hunt, which pleased the people very -much, as they are extravagantly fond of the meat. Now and then during -my travels, for lack of something better, I have been obliged to eat -crocodiles. I have tried it in all sorts of ways--steaks, stews, -boiled, and broth; but I must say I was never fond of it. - -They killed more or fewer crocodiles every day at this village; but the -negroes were so lazy that they were glad to have me go and save them -the trouble. Moreover, the crocodile has not much meat on him; so that, -though some were killed every day, the village was never sufficiently -supplied. - -We went in canoes. These canoes on the Anengue are of very singular -construction. They are quite flat-bottomed, and of very light draught; -many of them are about fifty feet long, with a breadth of not more -than two feet, and a depth of ten to twelve inches. They are made of -a single tree. They are ticklish craft. The oarsmen stand up and use -paddles seven feet long, with which they can propel one of these canoes -at a very good rate. They are, of course, easily capsized, the gunwale -being but a very few inches above the water; but they do not often tip -over. What surprised me most was the way in which the negro paddlers -stood up at their work all day without tiring. - -The negroes on the Anengue hunt the crocodile both with guns and with a -kind of harpoon. The vulnerable part of the animal is near the joints -of his forelegs; and there they endeavour to wound it. Though so many -are killed they do not decrease in numbers, nor, strange to say, do -they seem to grow more wary. They were to be seen everywhere during the -dry season; when the rainy season comes they disappear. - -As we started out, we saw them swimming in all directions, and lying on -the mud banks sunning themselves. They took no notice of our canoe at -all. As we were to shoot them we were obliged to look for our prizes -on the shore, for if killed in the water they sink and are lost. -Presently we saw one immense fellow extended on the bank among some -reeds. We approached cautiously. I took good aim and knocked him over. -He struggled hard to get to the water, but his strength gave out ere he -could reach it, and to our great joy he expired. We could not think of -taking his body into our canoe, for he was nearly twenty feet long. - -We killed another which measured eighteen feet. I never saw more -savage-looking jaws; they were armed with most formidable rows of teeth -and looked as though a man would scarcely be a mouthful for them. - -We had brought another canoe along, and capsizing this upon the shore, -we rolled the dead monsters into it and paddled off for the village. -Then we returned to the olako. - -During the heat of the day these animals retire to the reeds, where -they lie sheltered. In the morning, and late in the afternoon, they -come forth to seek their prey. They swim very silently, and scarcely -make even a ripple on the water, though they move along quite rapidly. -The motion of their paws in swimming is like those of a dog, over and -over. They can remain quite still on the top of the water, where they -may be seen watching for prey with their dull wicked-looking eyes. When -they are swimming the head is the only part of the body visible; and -when they are still, it looks exactly like an old piece of wood which -has remained long in the water, and is tossing to and fro. They sleep -among the reeds. Their eggs they lay in the sand on the island, and -cover them over with a layer of sand. It is the great abundance of fish -in the lake which makes them multiply so fast as they do. The negroes -seemed rather indifferent to their presence. - -On my journey back to Damagondai's I saw an example of the manner -in which the crocodile seizes upon his prey. As we were paddling -along I perceived in the distance ahead a beautiful gazelle, looking -meditatively into the waters of the lagoon, of which from time to time -it took a drink. I stood up to get a shot, and we approached with -the utmost silence; but just as I raised my gun to fire a crocodile -leaped out of the water, and, like a flash, dived back again, with the -struggling animal in its powerful jaws. So quickly did the beast take -its prey that, though I fired at him, I was too late. I did not think -my bullet hit him. - -After hunting on the water, I thought I would have a few rambles in the -forest near the olako. I killed a beautiful monkey, which the natives -call nkago, whose head is crowned with a cap of bright red, or rather -brown, hair. The nkagos are very numerous in these woods. - -While walking in the forest I found, near the water, the hole or -burrow of an ogata. This is a species of cayman, which lives near the -pools, and makes a long hole in the ground, with two entrances. In -this hole it sleeps and watches for its prey. The ogata is very unlike -the crocodile in its habits. It is a night-roving animal, and solitary -in its ways. It scrapes out its hole with its paws with considerable -labour. It lives near a pool, for the double reason, I imagine, that -it may bathe, and because thither come gazelles and other animals, -for whom it lies in wait. The negroes told me that they rush out with -great speed upon any wandering animal, and drag it into the hole to eat -it. When the negroes discover one of these holes they come with their -guns, which are generally loaded with iron spikes, and watch at one -end, while a fire is built at the other entrance. When it becomes too -hot the ogata rushes out, and is shot. I killed one which proved to be -seven feet in length. It had great strength in its jaws, and its teeth -were very formidable. Like the crocodile, its upper jaw is articulated, -and is raised when the mouth is opened. - -Sometimes fire is put at both ends of the hole, and the animal is -smoked to death. At other times a trap is made at the end where there -is no fire, and when the ogata rushes out it is ensnared. - -[Illustration] - - - - -[Illustration: THE NSHIEGO MBOUVÉ.] - -CHAPTER XXVIII. - - THE NSHIEGO MBOUVÉ--BALD-HEADED APES--THEIR HOUSES IN THE - TREES--LYING IN WAIT FOR THEM--WE KILL A MALE--THE SHRIEKS OF HIS - MATE--DESCRIPTION OF THE ANIMAL--FAREWELL TO SHIMBOUVENEGANI. - - -AS I was trudging along one day in the woods, rather tired of the -sport, and on the point of going back to the camp, I happened to look -up at a high tree which we were passing and saw a most singular -shelter or home built in its branches. I immediately stopped and asked -Okabi why the hunters slept in that way in the woods. Okabi laughed, -after looking at me quizzically, and then he told me that no man had -ever built that shelter. He said that it was made by a kind of man -of the woods, called nshiego mbouvé, an animal which had no hair on -the top of its head. I really thought Okabi was joking. An animal--a -man-monkey--with no hair on the top of his head? a bald-headed ape? It -was now my turn to laugh, for I did not believe Okabi's story about the -bald-headed animal, though I believed what he said about the shelter in -the tree. - -I saw at once that I was on the trail of an animal which no civilized -man had ever seen before. I no longer felt tired, but pushed on through -the woods with renewed ardour, and with increased caution, so as not to -alarm our prey. The shelter we had seen was an old one, which had been -abandoned, but we had a hope of finding another which should be still -occupied. - -We were not disappointed. We soon found two more shelters. They were -about twenty feet from the ground, and were on two trees, which stood a -little apart from the others, and which had no limbs below the one on -which the nests were placed. This location for its house is probably -chosen by the animals to secure them at night from beasts and serpents, -and from the falling limbs of surrounding trees. They build only in the -loneliest part of the forest. They are very shy, and are seldom seen, -even by the negroes. - -Okabi, who was an old and intelligent hunter, told me that the male -and female together select the material for their nest or shelter. It -is constructed in part of the branches of the tree itself, which they -twist in with the boughs of other trees collected by them for the -purpose. The shelters I saw had the shape of an umbrella. - -We concealed ourselves by lying flat on the ground amidst the bushes -near by, and keeping perfectly still. My patience was sorely tried. -Mosquitoes and flies were continually biting me. Ants now and then were -creeping upon me, and some of them managed to get under my clothes. -Besides, I had some fear of the bashikonay, or of the white ants, -coming to disturb me, or of snakes creeping upon me. So, as you may -imagine, I was not comfortable, neither had I pleasant thoughts. - -At length, just at dusk, we heard the loud peculiar "hew, hew, hew," -which is the call of the male to his mate. I was glad to know I had not -waited in vain; and looking up I saw a nshiego mbouvé sitting under his -nest. His feet rested on the lower branch; his head reached quite into -the little dome of a roof; and his arm was clasped firmly about the -tree trunk. This, I suppose, is the position in which they sleep. Soon -after his mate came and ascended the tree. - -After gazing till I was tired, I saw that one of the animals showed -signs of being alarmed. Had they smelt us? had we made a noise that -excited their suspicions? Anyhow, we raised our guns and fired through -the gloom at the one that seemed asleep. I almost felt sorry for the -unfortunate beast, which fell with a tremendous crash, and died without -a struggle. The other uttered an awful shriek and came down the tree -with the utmost rapidity. I fired but missed the animal, and in less -time than I take to write it the poor creature had disappeared in the -woods. - -I was very hungry, for I had eaten nothing since breakfast. We built -a fire at once, and made our camp. Then we built several more fires, -to prevent an attack of the bashikonay ants, in case they should come -that way. The poor ape was hung up to a limb out of reach. During the -night, I could hear now and then, in the distance, the piercing shriek -of its mate, which no doubt was calling for the absent one. At last I -fell asleep on my bed of leaves and grass, as pleased a man perhaps as -any in the world. - -The next morning I examined the nshiego mbouvé. Okabi, pointing to -the head triumphantly, exclaimed, "See, Chaillie, is not the animal -bald-headed? Did I not tell you the truth?" So it was. The nshiego -mbouvé was quite bald; not a hair could be seen on the top of his head. -He was a full-grown specimen, and measured three feet and eleven inches -in height. His colour was intensely black, and the body was covered -with short, rather blackish hair. On the legs the hair was of a dirty -grey, mixed with black. On the shoulders and back the hair grew two -or three inches long. This animal was old, and his hair was a little -mixed with grey. The arms also, down to the wrists, were covered with -long black hair. The hair is much thinner than on the gorilla, and is -blacker, longer, and glossier. The nose, also, is not so prominent. -Though only three feet and eleven inches in height, the animal had an -extremely broad chest, though not so powerful as that of the gorilla. -The fingers, also, were much longer, and not large; and the hand was -longer than the foot; while the gorilla, like man, has the foot longer -than the hand. - -Some of the teeth were decayed. So the poor fellow must have had the -toothache badly; and I suppose there were no dentists among the nshiego -mbouvés. I have killed several of these animals. One of them was a very -old one; he had silvery hair; nearly all his teeth were decayed, and -some were missing which had dropped out with age. He was getting so -infirm that he had not strength enough to pick berries or break nuts; -and, when killed, he had only leaves in his stomach. - -After enjoying myself thoroughly at the olako of Shimbouvenegani, we -returned to the village of Damagondai. Shimbouvenegani dressed himself -again in state, that is to say, he put on his swallow-tailed coat and -his beaver hat. In this regal costume he accompanied us to our canoes, -and there bid us good-bye. - -[Illustration] - - - - -[Illustration: EXPIRATION OF MOURNING.] - -CHAPTER XXIX. - - WAR THREATENED--OSHORIA ARMS HIS MEN--WE BLUFF THEM OFF, AND FALL - SICK WITH FEVER--THE MBOLA IVOGA, OR END OF MOURNING TIME--A DEATH - AND BURIAL--FINDING OUT THE SORCERER--THE VILLAGE DESERTED--I - BECOME VICEROY AT WASHINGTON. - - -News came that Oshoria, the chief of Guabuirri, a village situated at -the junction of the Ogobai and Anengue rivers, intended to stop me on -my way back to Washington. It was reported that he had assembled all -his fighting men, and was bent upon war. - -Poor Damagondai was much troubled. He wanted no war. He sent his -brother down with a plate, a mug, and a brass pan, to propitiate -Oshoria. These were great presents. A plate, a mug, and a pan are -thought to be very valuable in the regions of the Anengue. - -I was very angry. I had done no harm to the people of Guabuirri; I had -passed their village in peace. Oshoria wanted to exact tribute for my -passage; but he was not the king of the country, and I determined to -put down Mr. Oshoria. - -We cleaned our guns, and I prepared my revolvers, and the next morning -we set out, without waiting for the return of the king's brother, -greatly to the dismay of Damagondai and of his peaceful people. But -nothing must stop us. We must return to Washington. My men swore that -they would fight to the death. - -When we came in sight of Guabuirri, I saw that some of my fellows, -who, a short time before, were going to be so brave, began to show the -white feather. I therefore pointed to my revolver, and told them that I -would blow out the brains of the first man who failed to fight to the -last. They had a great respect for this wonderful revolver, and they -immediately answered, "We are men." - -So we pulled down the stream and soon came almost opposite Oshoria's -people. I gave orders to make for the town. On the shore stood about -one hundred and fifty fellows armed with spears and axes, and led by -ten men who had guns. All of them were making a great noise. - -My men were all well armed, and, if I remember well, there were only -sixteen of us. I had my revolver in one hand and a double-barrelled -gun in the other. The men all had guns, which were placed beside them -in such a way that the natives on the shore could see them. At this -piece of bravado, Oshoria's men became very civil. They retreated as we -approached the landing; and instead of continuing their war-shouts and -firing at us, they received us peaceably, and shouted to us not to fire. - -Damagondai's brother hurried down to meet me, and announced that there -was no palaver: I must not kill anybody. I was then led to where -the quarrelsome Oshoria stood. Looking at him with a stern look, I -reproached him for his conduct, telling him that if anybody had been -killed, the palaver would have been on his own head. He said he had -been vexed that I did not stop to see him on my way up; and, after -making further excuses, added, "Aouè olomé," "thou art a man;" an -expression used in several ways, either to designate a smart man or -a rascal, or, in the best sense, a very brave man. I was content to -accept it as an intended compliment. - -I was presented with fruits and fowls, and we were presently the best -of friends. To show them what I could do in the way of shooting, -I brought down a little bird which sat on a very high tree. They -all declared that I must have a very big shooting fetich; and they -reverenced me greatly. - -The next morning, I left Oshoria, and once more I glided down the -placid waters of the Ogobai. I reached Washington in safety. - -It was in the month of August, and the malaria of the Anengue marshes -began to tell on me. I fell sick with dysentery and symptoms of -malignant fever. In three days I took one hundred and eighty grains of -quinine, and thus happily succeeded in breaking the force of the fever, -which was the most dangerous of the two diseases. I was ill from the -18th to the 31st of August; and I did not regain my strength till the -9th of September. The Commi waited patiently for my recovery before -they would go through some of then ceremonies. - -There was to be a _mbola ivoga_ at Biagano, that is, an end of the -mourning time, to be celebrated with ceremonies and a terrible noise. - -When anyone of importance dies, the clan, or town, or the relatives, -cease to wear their best clothes, and make it a point to go unusually -dirty. No ornaments whatever, such as earrings or bracelets or beads, -are worn. This is the way they "mourn." Mourning lasts generally from -one year to two years. The ceremonies at the breaking-up of this -mourning are what I am now about to describe. - -The man who had died left seven wives, a house, a plantation, several -slaves, and other property. All this the elder brother inherited; -and on him, as the heir, it devolved to give the grand feast. For -this feast every canoe that came brought jars of mimbo, or palm-wine. -Sholomba and Jombouai, the heir, with his people, had been out for -two weeks, fishing, and now returned with several canoe-loads of dry -fish. From his plantation a large supply of palm-wine was brought in. -The women and slaves had prepared a great quantity of food. Everything -needful was provided in great abundance. - -In the village the people all got ready their best clothes and -furbished up their ornaments. Drums and kettles were collected for -music; powder was brought out for the salutes; and at last all was -ready for the mbola ivoga. - -The seven wives of the deceased seemed quite jolly, for to-morrow they -were to lay aside their widows' robes, and to join in the jollification -as brides. The heir could have married them all; but he had generously -given up two to a younger brother, and one to a cousin. He had already -sixteen wives, and might well be content with only four more. Twenty -wives is a pretty good number. - -No wonder the widows were glad to see the time of mourning over. For -two whole years they had been almost imprisoned in their husband's -house, hardly ever going out. - -At seven o'clock three guns were fired off, to announce that the -widows had done eating a certain mess, mixed of various ingredients, -supposed to have magical virtues, and by which they are released from -their widowhood. This was the first part of the ceremony. They then -put on bracelets and anklets, and the finest calico they had. Some of -the Commi women wear brass anklets on each leg almost as high as the -knee, as you see represented in the picture. The weight must be between -twenty and thirty pounds on each leg. Besides these anklets, they wear -a few bracelets of the same material. On their necks they wear beads. - -From early morning the guests had been coming, all bringing provisions -and mimbo (palm-wine) with them, and dressed in their best clothes. -There were several hundreds in all. The guests that lived far away had -come the day before. About nine o'clock all the guests sat down on -mats, spread about outside of the house of the deceased, and along the -main street. They were divided into little groups; and before each was -set an immense jar of mimbo, and food was spread before them. All began -to talk pleasantly, till, suddenly, the Biagano people fired off a -volley of about one hundred guns. This was the signal for the drinking -and eating to begin. Men, women, and children set to, and ate as much -as they could; and from this time till the next morning the orgies were -continued without interruption. They drank, they sang, they shouted, -they fired guns, and loaded them so heavily when they got tipsy that -I wonder the old trade-guns did not burst. They drummed on everything -that could possibly give out a noise. The women danced--such dances -as are not seen elsewhere! You may imagine what they were, when every -woman was so furiously tipsy. - -This mbola ivoga would have lasted probably for several days, but the -victuals and palm-wine finally gave out. - -Next day, about sunrise, Jombouai came and asked me to assist at the -concluding ceremony; for I had told him that I wanted to see every -scene of the mbola ivoga. His brother's house, according to the custom, -was to be torn down and burned--yes, burned to the ground, so that not -a vestige of it would remain to remind the people that once there stood -a house whose possessor was dead. - -The people came around the house and fired guns; then, in a moment, as -if they were an infuriated mob, they hacked the old house to pieces -with axes and cutlasses; then they set fire to it. When the ruins were -burnt, the feast was done. - -This is the way they go out of mourning among the Commi. The widows -were all married again, and, until another death should occur, -everything would go smoothly again. - -Hardly were the rejoicings over, when Ishungui, the man who had -faithfully taken care of my house in my absence, lay at death's door. -He had gone out on Jombouai's fishing excursion, in order to catch fish -for the mbola ivoga which I have just described. He caught cold, and -had now a lung fever. The people called for me. I knew as soon as I saw -him that he must die, and I tried to prepare his mind for the change. -But his friends and relatives by no means gave him up. They sent for -a distinguished fetich doctor, and under his auspices they began the -infernal din with which they seek to cure a dying man. I am afraid the -cure is worse than the disease. - -One of the Commi people's theories of disease is, that Obambou (the -devil) has got into the sick man, and as long as the devil remains in -the body there is no hope of curing the man. Now this devil is only to -be driven out by noise, and accordingly a great crowd surround the sick -man and beat drums and kettles close to his head, fire off guns close -to his ears, and in every part of the house they sing, shout, dance, -and make all the noise they can. This lasts till the poor fellow either -dies or is better; but I must say that he generally dies, unless the -operators get tired out first. - -Ishungui died. He left no property, and his brother buried him in the -sand, without a coffin, in a grave so shallow (as is the custom) that, -when I came upon it some days after, I saw that the wild beasts had -been there and eaten the corpse. - -The mourning was short in this case; it lasted only six days. There -were no wives or property; there was no feast. The relatives of the -deceased slept one night in his house, as a mark of respect. - -Among the Commi it is the custom, when a man has died, to keep the -_nchougou_. The nchougou is a feast that takes place generally, if -not always, after the man has been dead six days. There is drinking, -eating, and dancing; but the rejoicing is not so uproarious as the -ceremony of the mbola ivoga. Then the mourning begins. I think you will -agree with me that the nchougou is a most extraordinary custom. - -After Ishungui had died, it became necessary to discover the persons -who had bewitched the dead man; for the Commi said, "How is it that -a young man, generally healthy, should die so suddenly?" This they -did not believe to be natural; hence they attributed his death to -sorcerers, and were afraid that the sorcerers would kill other people. - -A canoe had been despatched up to Lake Anengue to bring down a great -doctor. They brought down one of Damagondai's sons, a great rascal. He -had been foremost in selling me the idol, or _mbuiti_, of the slaves of -which I spoke to you, and he was an evident cheat. - -When all was ready for the trial, I went down to look at the doctor, -who looked really diabolical. I never saw a more ugly-looking object. - -He had on a high head-dress of black feathers. His eyelids were painted -red, and a red stripe, from the nose upward, divided his forehead into -two parts; another stripe passed around his head. The face was painted -white, and on each side of the mouth were two round red spots. About -his neck hung a necklace of grass, and also a cord, which held a box -against his breast. This little box is sacred, and contains spirits. -A number of strips of leopard's skin, and of skin of other animals, -crossed his breast, and were exposed about his person; and all these -were charmed and had charms attached to them. From each shoulder down -to his hands was a white stripe, and one hand was painted quite white. -To complete this horrible array, he wore around his body a string of -little bells. - -He sat on a box. Before him stood another box containing charms. On -this stood a looking-glass, before which lay a buffalo-horn. In this -horn there was some black powder, and it was said to be the refuge -of many spirits. The doctor had also a little basket of snake-bones, -which he shook frequently during his incantations, and several skins, -to which little bells were attached. Near by stood a fellow beating a -board with two sticks. - -All the people of the village gathered about this couple. The doctor -had, no doubt, impressed the people with his great power. His -incantations were continued for a long time, and at last came to the -climax. Jombouai was told to call over the names of persons in the -village, in order that the doctor might ascertain if any of those named -were sorcerers. As each name was called, the old cheat looked in the -looking-glass to see the result. - -During the whole operation I stood near him, which seemed to trouble -him greatly. At last, after all the names were called, the doctor -declared that he could not find any "witch-man," but that an evil -spirit dwelt in the village, and many of the people would die if it -continued there. I have a suspicion that this final judgment with which -the incantations broke up was a piece of revenge upon me. I had no idea -until the next day how seriously the word of one of these _ougangas_ -(doctors) is taken. - -The next morning all was excitement. The people were scared. They said -their mbuiti was not willing to have them live longer here; that he -would kill them, etc. Then began the removal of all kinds of property, -and the tearing down of houses, and by nightfall I was actually -left alone in my house with a Mpongwe boy and my little Ogobai boy, -Macondai, both of whom were anxious to be off. - -Old Ranpano came to beg me not to be offended; he said that he dared -not stay; that the mbuiti was now in town. He advised me as a friend to -move also; but nobody wished me ill, only he must go, and would build -his house not far off. - -I did not like to abandon my house and settlement at Washington, which -it had cost me a good deal of trouble to build. I called a meeting of -the people, and it was with the greatest difficulty that I could get -some of my own canoe boys and a few men to come and stay at my place. -These began immediately to build themselves houses, and a little -village was built, of which I was now, to my great surprise, offered -the sovereignty. I remembered how the new king was made in the Gaboon, -and I did not know but that the Commi had the same custom. The thought -of the ceremony which precedes the assumption of royalty deterred me. -Finally, the men determined to have me as their chief, next to Ranpano; -and with this my ambition was satisfied. - -[Illustration] - - - - -[Illustration: WOLF HUNTING.] - -CHAPTER XXX. - - HUNTING IN THE WOODS--THE MBOYO WOLF--WE CATCH ANOTHER YOUNG - GORILLA--HE STARVES TO DEATH. - - -Everything went on smoothly among the good Commi. When I absented -myself they took great care of my property. They seemed proud of their -honesty; and though it was a wild country, and they were a wild people, -I felt very safe among them. - -Now and then I left Washington to go and live entirely in the woods, -and hunt, sometimes for gorillas, at other times for wild boars or -buffaloes, or something else. - -I was also very fond of hunting the _mboyo_, a very shy animal of the -wolf kind, with long yellowish hair and straight ears. They are very -cunning; and now and then you can see them in the grass engaged in -hunting for themselves. I have often watched these animals surrounding -and chasing game. They run very well together in a drove; and as their -policy is to run round and round, they soon bewilder, tire out, and -capture any animal of moderate endurance. As they run round, gradually -their circle grows smaller and smaller; and of course the smaller it -becomes the more bewildered becomes their prey. - -Often I have seen them prying about alone in search of prey. How -roguish they look! and I could only shoot them at very long distances. -I never was able to get near one of them. - -At times I went into the country where gorillas were plentiful, and -had a good deal of fun and plenty of excitement. This country was not -far from the village of a chief called Makaga Oune-jiou. This chief -was affected with leprosy. He had already lost all the fingers of his -left hand and two fingers of his right hand, besides the big toe of -his left foot. But Makaga was very kind to me, and was much beloved by -his people. His village was small, but was a very dear little village -to him. It was surrounded by fields of sugar-cane, plantain trees, and -little fields of ground-nuts; and now and then the gorillas came and -helped themselves to the good things these people had planted. This -made them very wroth, and they were always glad to have me come and -spend a few days among them. - -Early in the morning I could sometimes hear the gorillas, who then -came quite near the village. Here I found that I need not make long -journeys in order to reach the hunting ground. But they are difficult -of approach; the slightest noise alarms them and sends them off. It is -only once in a while that you can surprise an old male, and then he -will fight you. - -While staying with Makaga Oune-jiou I captured a second young gorilla; -and we had an exciting time, I assure you, before we got him. - -We were walking along in silence, when I heard a cry, and presently I -saw not far from me, in the midst of a dense foliage, a female gorilla, -with a tiny baby gorilla hanging to her breast. The mother was stroking -the little one, and looking fondly down at it; and the scene was so -pretty and touching that I withheld my fire and considered (like a -soft-hearted fellow) whether I had not better leave them in peace. -Before I could make up my mind, however, my hunter fired and killed the -mother, who fell dead without a struggle. - -The mother fell, but the baby clung to her, and, with piteous cries, -endeavoured to attract her attention. I came up, and when it saw me -it hid its poor little head in its mother's breast. It could neither -walk nor bite, it was such a tiny little baby gorilla. We could easily -manage it; and I carried it, while the men bore the mother on a pole. - -When we got to the village another scene ensued. The men put the body -down, and I set the little fellow near. As soon as he saw his mother -he crawled to her and threw himself on her breast. He did not find his -accustomed nourishment, and perceived that something was the matter -with his mother. He crawled over her body, smelt at it, and gave -utterance from time to time to a plaintive cry, "Hoo, hoo, hoo," which -touched my heart. - -I could get no milk for this poor little fellow. He could not eat, and -consequently he died on the third day after he was caught. - - - - -[Illustration: AN INCANTATION SCENE.] - -CHAPTER XXXI. - - GOING TO UNKNOWN REGIONS--QUENGUEZA SENDS HIS SON AS A - HOSTAGE--I TAKE HIM ALONG WITH ME--RECEPTION BY THE KING--OUR - SPEECHES--QUENGUEZA AFRAID OF A WITCH--AN INCANTATION SCENE. - - -Time passed on. It was several years since I left the United States, -but nevertheless I determined to set out for the head waters of the -Fernand-Vaz, and for countries undiscovered as yet by white men. - -Quengueza had sent to me his eldest son, named Kombé (the sun), with -a present of ebony wood, and his youngest son, a boy of ten, called -Akounga; and he said I must come and leave Akounga in Ranpano's hands -as a hostage for my safety. "You see," he sent word, "that I am not -afraid of you. You may trust me." - -I had to take my big boat, because no canoe would hold all the goods, -powder and shot, guns, provisions, and medicines, I took along. It was -to be a very, very long journey. I was the first white man to venture -up in this direction, and I was anxious to get as far as possible. - -We were fifteen in all in my boat. Another canoe, with fifteen more -men, followed us. Quengueza's little boy was with us too. I would never -have thought of such a thing as keeping the poor little fellow away -from his mother and father. I took also the brave little Macondai, whom -I had at first determined to leave behind, as being too small to stand -the fatigues of such a journey. The little fellow entreated so much to -be taken that I at last consented. He behaved like a man. Macondai grew -fast as years went by, and I wish you could have seen him fighting by -my side in Ashango land. - -At last, after much fatigue and hard pulling, we reached the village -of Goumbi, the residence of King Quengueza. Here I was received in the -most triumphant manner. I could not make myself heard for the shouts -and firing of guns. The whole population of Goumbi crowded down to the -shore to see me, and I was led up in procession to an immense covered -space, capable of holding at least a thousand people, and surrounded by -seats. I found there strangers from various parts of the interior, who -gazed at me, and especially at my hair, with the greatest wonder. - -A large high seat was appointed for me, and another close to it was -for Quengueza, who presently arrived with a face beaming with joy. He -shook hands with me and then seated himself. - -There was a dead silence in the vast crowd before us. Quengueza -was an old, white-woolled negro, very tall, spare, and of a severe -countenance, betokening great energy and courage, qualities for which -he was celebrated all over their country. When younger he was the dread -of all, but now that he had become the chief of his clan, and was -getting old, he had grown milder, and become peaceful, to the great -joy of the surrounding villages. He was a very remarkable man for his -opportunities. He made haste to tell me that he was in mourning for his -eldest brother, who had died two years before, and left him chief of -their clan, the Abouya. - -Quengueza had on a finely-knit black cap, and a grass body-cloth, -which was black also; both the cap and cloth were of Ashira make, and -were really beautiful. He had no shirt; that article is not allowed to -mourners; but he wore an American coat which was too small for him. - -After the king had done welcoming me, I called his little son, Akounga. -When he had come forward, I said to the king in a loud voice, that the -people might hear: "You sent your son to me to keep, so that I might -feel safe to come to you. I am not afraid. I like you, and can trust -you. Therefore I have brought your little son back to you. I do not -want him as a hostage for my safety. Let him remain by the side of his -mother." - -At this there was a tremendous shouting, and the people seemed -overjoyed. - -The king rose to reply. There was immediately a dead silence; for -Quengueza was greatly reverenced by his people. The king said: "This is -my _ntangani_ (white man), he has come from a far country to see me. I -went down to beg him to come up to me. Now he has come. Let no one do -harm to his people; for him I need not speak. Give food to his people. -Treat them well. Do not steal anything. If you do not do as I say, A -BIG PALAVER WILL COME UPON YOU!" This last sentence he uttered in a -tremendous voice. - -Then he addressed himself to the Ashira and Bakalai who were present, -saying,: "Beware! Do not steal my white man, for if you should make the -attempt, I will sell you all." - -Then loads of plantains and sugar-canes, together with a hundred fowls, -and several goats, were presented to me by the king, and this closed -the ceremony. - -The longer I stayed with Quengueza, the more I loved him; I was only -sorry that he was so curiously superstitious. For a year he had not -passed down the street which led most directly to the water, but had -gone always by a roundabout way, because, when he came to the throne, -this street was pronounced bewitched by a secret enemy of his; and -he was persuaded that if he passed by it, he would surely die. This -superstitious notion had originated in a dream of the king's which had -been interpreted in that way. - -Several times efforts had been made by distinguished doctors to -drive away the _aniemba_ (witch), which there lay in wait; but the -king, though he believed in sorcery, did not have much faith in the -exorcisers or doctors. He thought that, perhaps, the aniemba had not -gone, and that it was better to be on the safe side, which was not to -go on the road at all. But his subjects felt very much troubled about -this matter; for they wanted their king to pass through their street -sometimes. - -Once more a last attempt was made to drive off the aniemba, or witch. -A famous doctor from the far-off Bakalai country had been brought down -to perform this act. His name was Aquailai. - -In the evening the people gathered in great numbers under the immense -_hangar_, or covered space in which I had been received, and there lit -fires, around which they sat. The space thus covered was one hundred -and fifty feet long by forty wide, and was roofed with palm branches -and leaves. - -About ten o'clock, when it was pitch dark, the doctor commenced -operations by singing some boastful songs, recounting his power over -witches. Immediately all the people gathered into their houses, and -with such great haste, that two women failing to get home, and afraid -to go farther through the streets, took refuge in my house. Then all -the fires in the houses were carefully extinguished, those under the -hangar having been already put out; and, in about an hour more, there -was not a light of any kind in the whole town except mine. They had -only asked of me that I should shut my door. The most pitchy darkness -and the most complete silence reigned everywhere. No voice could -be heard, even in a whisper, among the several thousands of people -gathered in the gloom. - -At last the silence was broken by the doctor, who, standing in the -centre of the town, began some loud babbling, of which I could not make -out the meaning. From time to time the people answered him in chorus. -This went on for an hour, and was really one of the strangest scenes I -ever took part in. I could see nothing but the faces of the two women -in my house, who were badly frightened, poor things, as, in fact, -all the people were. The hollow voice of the witch-doctor resounded -curiously through the silence; and when the answer of many mingled -voices came through the darkness, the ceremony really assumed the air -of a poet's incantation scene. - -At last, just at midnight by my watch, I heard the doctor approach. He -had bells girded about him, which he jingled as he walked. He went to -every family in the town, successively, and asked if to them belonged -the aniemba (witch) that obstructed the king's highway. Of course, all -answered no. Then he began to run up and down the bewitched street, -calling out loudly for the witch to go off. Presently he came back and -announced that he could no longer see the aniemba, which had doubtless -gone, never to come back. At this, all the people rushed out of their -houses, and shouted, "Go away! go away! and never come back to hurt our -king!" - -Then fires were lit, and all sat down to eat. This done, all the fires -were once more extinguished; and the people sung wild songs until four -o'clock. Then the fires were lit again. - -At sunrise the whole population gathered to accompany their king down -the dreaded street to the water. Quengueza, I know, was brave as a -hunter and as a warrior. He was also very intelligent about many things -regarding which his people were very stupid; but the poor old king -was now horribly afraid. He was assured that the aniemba was gone; -but he evidently thought that he was walking to almost certain death. -He hesitated; but at last he determined to face his fate, and walked -manfully down to the river and back, amidst the plaudits of his loyal -subjects. So ended the ceremony; but Quengueza never went again on that -road; his dread of it still remained. - - - - -[Illustration] - -CHAPTER XXXII. - - GORILLA HUNTING--MY COMPANIONS, MOMBON, ETIA, AND GAMBO--ETIA KILLS - A LARGE GORILLA--WE MAKE UP A LARGE PARTY--CAMP STORIES ABOUT - GORILLAS--WE CAPTURE A YOUNG GORILLA--HER UNTIMELY DEATH. - - -Quengueza had a slave named Mombon, whom he loved greatly. Mombon -was his overseer, chamberlain, steward, man of business, and general -factotum, the man whose place it was to take care of the king's private -affairs, set his slaves to work, oversee his plantations, and who had -the care of the keys of the royal houses. Mombon was to see that I was -made comfortable in town. - -Quengueza had also another slave named Etia. Etia was his favourite -hunter, and he gave him to me for a guide in the bush. This Etia was -a fine-looking old man, belonging to a tribe far in the interior, who -had never heard that there was such a thing as a white man in the -world. He was living on a little plantation outside the town, where -he had a neat house and a nice old wife, who always treated me in a -kind, motherly way; she always had something to give me to eat. Etia's -business was to supply the royal larder with "bush meat," and he went -out hunting almost every week for that purpose. - -Etia and I became great friends, and loved each other much. I gave -to Etia and to his wife many little presents, with which they always -seemed very much pleased. Around the house of Etia were arranged skulls -of elephants, hippopotami, leopards, and gorillas, as trophies of his -prowess. - -Among the numerous guests of Quengueza was an Ashira chief, who had -come on a visit to the king. He had a son called Gambo, a noted hunter. -Gambo was a very ill-looking fellow, but he had a fiery eye, great -courage, and a kind heart. I became very fond of Gambo, and Gambo -became very fond of me. Sometimes Quengueza could not help saying -to his people, "See how hunters love each other, no matter if they -come from different countries. See how my white man loves the black -hunters." In fact, we were always together. I had never seen the Ashira -tribe to which Gambo belonged. - -One day we had been going through the woods about three hours when at -last we came upon fresh gorilla tracks. Etia now set out alone, while -Gambo and I walked silently in another direction. The gorilla is so -difficult to approach that we had literally to creep through the thick -woods when in their vicinity. The hunter cannot expect to see his enemy -till he is close upon him. The forest is so thick and gloomy that even -when quite near the animal is but dimly visible. All this makes hunting -for the gorilla very trying to the nerves; for it is in the hunter's -mind that if he misses--if his bullet does not go to the most fatal -point--the wounded and infuriated brute will make short work of his -opponent. - -As we crept silently along, suddenly the woods resounded with the -report of a gun. We sped at once towards the quarter whence the report -came, and there we found old Etia sitting complacently upon the dead -body of the largest female gorilla I ever saw. The total height of -the animal was four feet seven inches. This was a huge gorilla for a -female, for they are always much smaller than the males. - -Another time we made up a large party. We were to go a considerable -distance to a spot where Etia gave me hopes that we should catch a -young gorilla alive. I would have gone through any hardship and peril -to get one large enough to be kept alive, and to be sent to Europe. - -Etia, Gambo, myself, and ten men composed our party. Each was armed, -and laden with provisions for a couple of days. The men were covered -with fetiches. They had painted their faces red, and had cut their -hands in more than fifty different places. This bleeding of the hands -was done for luck. The fellows were nearly naked; but this is their -usual habit. - -As for me, I had also made extra preparations. I had blackened my -face and hands with powdered charcoal and oil; and my blue drilling -shirt and trousers and black shoes made me as dark as any of them. My -revolvers hung at my side, with my ammunition bag and brandy flask; -my rifle lay upon my shoulder. All this excited the admiration of the -crowd which assembled to see us go out. - -Quengueza was greatly delighted, and exclaimed, "What kind of ntangani -(white man) is this? He fears nothing; he cares for neither sun nor -water; he loves nothing but the hunt." - -The old king charged the people to take great care of his white man, -and to defend him with their lives if need be. - -We travelled all day, and about sunset we came to a little river. Here -we began at once to make a fire and build leafy shelters for the night. -Scarcely was the firewood gathered, and we were safely bestowed under -our shelter, when a storm came up which lasted half an hour. Then all -was clear once more. We cooked plantains and smoked some dried fishes. - -In the evening the men told stories about gorillas. - -"I remember," said one, "my father told me he once went out to the -forest, when just in his path he met a great gorilla. My father had his -spear in his hand. When the gorilla saw the spear he began to roar; -then my father was terrified, and dropped the spear. When the gorilla -saw that my father had dropped the spear he was pleased. He looked at -him, and then left him and went into the thick forest. Then my father -was glad, and went on his way." - -Here all shouted together, "Yes! so we must do when we meet the -gorilla. Drop the spear; that appeases him." - -Next Gambo spoke. "Several dry seasons ago a man suddenly disappeared -from my village after an angry quarrel. Some time after an Ashira of -that village was out in the forest. He met a very large gorilla. That -gorilla was the man who had disappeared; he had turned into a gorilla. -He jumped on the poor Ashira and bit a piece out of his arm. Then he -let him go. Then the man came back with his bleeding arm. He told me -this. I hope we shall not meet such gorillas." - -Chorus--"No; we shall not meet such wicked gorillas." - -I myself afterwards met that man in the Ashira country. I saw his -maimed arm, and he repeated the same story. - -Then one of the men spoke up: "If we kill a gorilla to-morrow I should -like to have a part of the brain for a fetich. Nothing makes a man so -brave as to have a fetich of gorilla's brain. That gives a man a strong -heart." - -Chorus of those who remained awake--"Yes; that gives a man a strong -heart." - -Then we all gradually dropped to sleep. - -Next morning we cleaned and reloaded our guns, and started off for the -hunting ground. There is a particular little berry of which the gorilla -is very fond, and where this is found in abundance you are sure to meet -the animal. - -We had divided. Etia, Gambo, two other men, and I kept together, and -we had hardly gone more than an hour when we heard the cry of a young -gorilla after his mother. Etia heard it first, and at once pointed out -the direction in which it was. - -Immediately we began to walk with greater caution than before. -Presently Etia and Gambo crept ahead, as they were expert with the net, -and were also the best woodsmen. I unwillingly remained behind, but -dared not go with them, lest my clumsier movements should betray our -presence. In a short time we heard two guns fired. Running up, we found -the mother gorilla shot, but her little one had escaped; they had not -been able to catch it. - -The poor mother lay there in her gore, but the little fellow was off in -the woods. So we concealed ourselves hard by to wait, for its return. -Presently it came up, jumped on its mother, and began sucking at her -breasts and fondling her. Then Etia, Gambo, and I rushed upon it. -Though evidently less than two years old, it proved very strong, and -escaped from us. But we gave chase, and in a few minutes had it fast, -not, however, before one of the men had his arm severely bitten by the -savage little beast. - -It proved to be a young female. Unhappily, she lived but ten days after -capture. She persistently refused to eat any cooked food, or anything -else except the nuts and berries which they eat in the forest. She -was not so ferocious as "Fighting Joe," but was quite as treacherous -and quite as untameable. She permitted no one to approach her without -trying to bite. Her eyes seemed somewhat milder than Joe's, but had the -same gloomy and treacherous look, and she had the same way as Joe of -looking you straight in the eyes when she was meditating an attack. I -remarked in her also the same manoeuvre practised by the other when she -wished to seize something, my leg, for instance, which, by reason of -the chain around her neck, she could not reach with her arm. She would -look me straight in the face, then quick as a flash would throw her -body on one leg and one arm and reach out with the other leg. Several -times I had narrow escapes from the grip of her strong big toe. I -thought sometimes that when she looked at me she appeared cross-eyed, -but of this I could not make certain. All her motions were remarkably -quick, and her strength was very great, though she was so small. - -[Illustration] - - - - -[Illustration: A TRIAL BY ORDEAL.] - -CHAPTER XXXIII. - - VOYAGE UP THE RIVER--WE BUILD A VILLAGE NEAR OBINDJI--QUENGUEZA'S - PLAN FOR KEEPING THE SABBATH--KINDNESS OF THE NATIVES--A TRIAL BY - ORDEAL. - - -King Quengueza accompanied me on my voyage up the Rembo and Ovenga -rivers. We were followed by a great many canoes, and by chiefs of the -Ashira and Bakalai tribes. We were going to the Bakalai country. The -weather was intensely hot; even the negroes suffered; and, though I had -a thick umbrella over my head, and sat quite still, I had frequently -to bathe my head and keep wet handkerchiefs in my banana hat; for I -feared a sunstroke. - -The river was narrow and deep, flowing generally between high lands and -hills, and now and then in the midst of flats. - -Everybody complained except Macondai. He was the most spirited little -negro I ever saw, a real little hero. I tell you that many, very many, -of these African boys have a good deal of pluck, although they are -black. - -Two days after we started, we arrived, a little before sunset, at -the village of Obindji, a Bakalai chief, who was a great friend of -Quengueza. Wherever we passed a Bakalai village the people rushed -down to the banks to see me. As we approached the village of Obindji, -our men fired guns and sang songs. Obindji came down in great state, -dressed in his silk hat, a shirt, and a nice cloth. He was ringing his -_kendo_--a bell, which is the insignia of kingship there--a sort of -royal sceptre. The high-crowned silk hat, also, as I said before, is -worn only by the chiefs. - -I said to Obindji, "Why do you ring your kendo?" - -He replied, "Obindji's heart is glad, and he thanks his Mboundji (a -spirit) that he has to-day come up higher than he ever stood before--a -_ntanga_ (white man) has come to see Obindji." - -When we had landed, and the two kings and I were seated on the stools -used in that country, the grand reception began. Quengueza gave to his -friend Obindji, and to all the Bakalai who surrounded us, an account of -his entire intercourse with me, from the time he came down to see me at -the seashore to the present hour. - -Then Obindji replied, giving, in like manner (in short sentences), a -statement of his feelings when he heard that Quengueza was to bring a -ntanga to see him. This closed the conference. - -The village of Obindji was small, and was beautifully situated at the -foot of a high hill, just on the banks of the Ovenga. The Ovenga river -belonged to Quengueza, and, except at its head waters, it had been -inhabited by the Bakalai only since the time of Quengueza's eldest -brother, whom he had succeeded. These Bakalai are very warlike; they -are much dreaded by the other tribes. - -The region of the Ovenga is a grand and wild country. It consists of -hills and mountains, covered with impenetrable forests, which teem with -all kinds of insects. Many animals, curious birds, and a great number -of snakes are found there, together with those extraordinary ants--the -bashikonay. There also are the chimpanzees and gorillas. - -As I intended to remain some time, I set about building another -village. The men all went into the forest to collect bark, palm leaves, -and posts. - -When Sunday came, I requested Quengueza to make the men rest on this -day, explaining to him that white men do not work on the Sabbath. - -The old man was puzzled for a moment, and then said, "We are much -hurried now. Suppose you put off the Sunday for three or four weeks. -Then we can have as many Sundays as you want. We will keep four or five -days following each other as Sundays. It will be just the same." - -He seemed quite proud of his discovery and was quite disappointed when -I told him it would not do. - -I worked very hard in building my house. The labour was the more trying -because the heat was so intense; there was not a breath of wind in this -Bakalai country. Besides, the fever had got hold of me again; but I did -not give way to it. - -Obindji became very friendly to me. I may say that all these negroes -seemed to take a liking for me. I made quite a number of friends among -the Bakalai. Two of them, indeed, were very dear friends of mine; they -were called Malaouen and Querlaouen. I really do not know which of the -two I liked the best. They were ready to do anything I wished them -to do. If I proposed a hunt, they immediately offered to accompany -me; if they killed game, they presented me with the best piece. Their -wives were sure to bring me, almost every day, sugar-cane, plantain, -or something else. As for Obindji, he did all in his power to please -me. Moreover, Quengueza was always close to me. He said that wherever -I went he would follow me, and build his shed by the side of mine. I -was now Quengueza's white man and Obindji's white man. They all seemed -to take pride in me. I am sure I also tried my best to be kind to -them. Above all things, I wanted them to believe my word implicitly. -Hence, whatever I promised, I kept my word. They noticed this; and -therefore no one doubted me. These poor people, though they have no -word to describe "an honest man," know the difference between lying and -truth-telling; and they appreciate truthfulness. - -One day I saw a trial by ordeal performed. A little boy, a son of -Aquailai, the doctor who had driven the aniemba, or witch, from the -main street at Goumbi, reported that one of Quengueza's men had damaged -a Bakalai's canoe. The owner demanded compensation for the injury. The -Goumbi men denied that he had injured the canoe, and asked for trial. -An Ashira doctor who was in the village was called. He said that the -only way to make the truth appear was by the trial of the ring boiled -in oil. Thereupon, the Bakalai and the Goumbi men gathered together, -and the trial was at once made. - -The Ashira doctor stuck three little billets of wood into the ground, -with their top ends together, then he piled some smaller pieces -between, till all were laid as high as the three pieces. A native -earthenware pot, half full of palm oil, was set upon the wood, which -had been set on fire; and the oil was set on fire also. When it had -burned up brightly, a brass bracelet or ring from the doctor's hand -was cast into the pot. The doctor stood by with a little vase full of -grass soaked in water, of which he threw in, now and then, some bits. -This made the oil blaze up fresh. At last, all was burned out, and now -came the trial. The accuser, the little boy, was required at once to -take the ring out of the pot. He hesitated, but was pushed on by his -father. The people cried out, "Let us see whether he lied or told the -truth." Finally he put his hand in and seized the almost red-hot ring, -but quickly dropped it, having severely burned his fingers. At this -there was a shout, "He lied! he lied!" and the Goumbi man was declared -innocent. I ventured to suggest that he also would burn his fingers if -he touched the ring, but nobody seemed to consider this view of the -subject. - -[Illustration] - - - - -[Illustration: THE GORILLA MARCHES UPON US.] - -CHAPTER XXXIV. - - THE KOOLOO-KAMBA--THE GOUAMBA, OR MEAT-HUNGER--EXPLORING THE - FOREST--GORILLA-HUNTING--WITHIN EIGHT YARDS OF A LARGE GORILLA--HE - ROARS WITH RAGE AND MARCHES UPON US. - - -We established ourselves in a deserted Bakalai village, a few miles -from the banks of the Ovenga, and about ten miles above Obindji. I was -glad that I had no olako to build. - -There were with me several Bakalai; among whom, of course, were my good -friends Querlaouen and Malaouen. Gambo was also one of our party. - -After our camp was arranged we went out to look for gorilla tracks. -It was too late to hunt; besides, we were too tired. In the evening -Malaouen came in after dark, and said he had heard the cry of the -kooloo, and knew where to find it in the morning. - -Of course I asked what this kooloo was; for I had not the slightest -idea of what he meant. I had never heard the name before. I received, -in answer, a description of the animal, which threw me into the -greatest excitement; for I saw this was most certainly a new species -of ape, or man-like monkey; a new man of the woods, of which I had not -even heard as yet. It was called kooloo-kamba by the Goumbi people from -its cry or call, "kooloo," and the Commi word _kamba_, which means -"speak." The Bakalai call it simply _koola_. - -I scarce slept all night, with fidgeting over the morrow's prospects. -The Bakalai said the kooloo-kamba was very rare here, and there was -only a chance that we should find the one whose call had been heard. - -At last the tedious night was gone. At the earliest streak of dawn I -had my men up. We had fixed our guns the night before. All was ready, -and we set out in two parties. My party had been walking through -the forest about an hour, by a path which led, I knew not where, -when suddenly I stepped into a file of bashikonay ants, whose fierce -bites nearly made me scream. The little rascals were infuriated at my -disturbance of their progress; and they held on to my legs, and to my -trousers, till I picked them off. Of course I jumped nimbly out of the -way of the great army of which they formed part, but I did not get off -without some severe bites. - -We had hardly got clear of the bashikonays, when my ears were -saluted by the singular cry of the ape I was after. "Koola-kooloo, -koola-kooloo," it said several times. Only Gambo and Malaouen were with -me. Gambo and I raised our eyes, and saw, high up on a tree-branch, a -large ape. It looked almost like a black hairy man. We both fired at -once; and the next moment the poor beast fell with a heavy crash to -the ground. I rushed up, anxious to see if indeed I had a new animal. -I saw in a moment that it was neither a nshiego mbouvé, nor a common -chimpanzee, nor a gorilla. Again I had a happy day. This kooloo-kamba -was undoubtedly a new variety of chimpanzee. - -We at once disembowelled the animal, which was a full-grown male. We -found in his stomach nothing but berries, nuts, and fruits. He had no -doubt just begun to take his breakfast. - -This kooloo-kamba was four feet three inches high. - -He was powerfully built, with strong and square shoulders. He had a -very round head, with whiskers running quite round the face and below -the chin. The face was round; the cheek-bones prominent; the cheeks -sunken. The roundness of the head and the prominence of the cheek-bones -were so great as to remind me of some of the heads of Indians or -Chinamen. The hair was black and long on the arms, which, however, were -partly bare. His ears were large, and shaped like those of a human -being. Of its habits the people could tell me nothing, except that it -was found more frequently in the far interior. I brought the skin of -this kooloo-kamba to New York, and some years ago many people saw it. - -On our return to Obindji we were overtaken by my good friend -Querlaouen, who had shot a wild pig, of which the good fellow gave me -half. The negroes feasted on the kooloo meat, which I could not touch. -So the pig was welcome to me, as indeed it was to Quengueza, whom we -found almost crying with an affection which is common in this part -of Africa, and is called _gouamba_, but for which we happily have no -name. Gouamba is the inordinate longing and craving of exhausted nature -for meat. For days, and sometimes for weeks, a man does not get any -meat at all, and whenever other food is brought before him, you will -hear him say, looking at the food with disgust, "Gouamba," which means -literally, "I am sick of food; I have a craving for meat; I care for -nothing else." - -I had some glorious gorilla-hunting while in the Bakalai country, in -the upper regions of the Ovenga river. Malaouen, Querlaouen, Gambo, and -I, often started out together, and remained for days in the thickest -part of the forest. Now and then we would return to Obindji to get a -supply of plantain, and then would go off again. We roamed over the -forest in all directions; we explored some new regions; and sometimes -we got lost in the midst of impenetrable mountains, where often for -days we killed nothing. - -In these excursions we suffered sometimes a good deal; for we had to -endure many hardships. We often had very poor fare, and fever sometimes -prostrated me. - -One day, I remember well, we were out for gorillas; which we knew were -to be found thereabouts, by the presence of a pulpy pear-shaped fruit, -the _tondo_, of which the animal is very fond. I also am very fond of -the subdued and grateful acid of this fruit, which is eaten by the -negroes as well as by the gorilla. - -We found everywhere gorilla marks, and so recent that we began to think -the animals must be avoiding us. This was really the case, I believe, -though I am not sure. At any rate, we beat the bush for two hours, -before, at last, we found the game. Suddenly, an immense gorilla -advanced out of the wood, straight towards us, and gave vent, as he -came up, to a terrible howl of rage, as much as to say, "I am tired of -being pursued, and will face you." - -It was a lone male, the kind which are always most ferocious. This -fellow made the woods resound with his roar, which is really an awful -sound, resembling very much a rolling and muttering of distant thunder. - -He was about twenty yards off when we first saw him. We at once -gathered together; and I was about to take aim and bring him down where -he stood, when Malaouen stopped me, saying in a whisper, "Not time yet." - -We stood, therefore, in silence, gun in hand. The gorilla looked at us -for a minute or so out of his evil grey eyes, then beat his breast with -his gigantic arms--and what arms he had!--then he gave another howl of -defiance and advanced upon us. How horrible he looked! I shall never -forget it. - -Again he stopped not more than fifteen yards away. - -Still Malaouen said, "Not yet." Good gracious! what is to become of us, -if our guns miss fire, or if we only wound the huge beast? - -Again the gorilla made an advance upon us. Now he was not twelve -yards off. I could see plainly his ferocious face. It was distorted -with rage; his huge teeth were ground against each other, so that we -could hear the sound; the skin of the forehead was drawn forward and -back rapidly, which made his hair move up and down, and gave a truly -devilish expression to the hideous face. Once more he gave out a roar, -which seemed to shake the woods like thunder; I could really feel the -earth trembling under my feet. The gorilla, looking us in the eyes, and -beating his breast, advanced again. - -"Don't fire too soon," said Malaouen; "if you do not kill him, he will -kill you." - -This time he came within eight yards of us before he stopped. I was -breathing fast with excitement as I watched the huge beast. - -Malaouen said only, "Steady," as the gorilla came up. When he stopped, -Malaouen said, "Now!" And before he could utter the roar for which he -was opening his mouth, three musket-balls were in his body. He fell -dead, almost without a struggle. - -He was a monstrous beast indeed, though not amongst the tallest. -His height was five feet six inches. His arms had a spread of seven -feet two inches. His broad brawny chest measured fifty inches round. -The big toe of his foot measured five inches and three quarters in -circumference. His arms seemed like immense bunches of muscle only; -and his legs and claw-like feet were so well fitted for grabbing and -holding that I could see how easy it was for the negroes to believe -that these animals, when they conceal themselves in trees and watch for -prey, can seize and pull up with their feet any living thing, leopard, -ox, or man, that passes beneath. - -The face of this gorilla was intensely black. The vast chest, which -proved his great power, was bare, and covered with a parchment-like -skin. His body was covered with grey hair. - -While the animal approached us in its fierce way, walking on its hind -legs and facing us as few animals dare face man, it really seemed to me -to be a horrid likeness of man. - - - - -[Illustration: MEETING THE MBUITI.] - -CHAPTER XXXV. - - WE GO UP THE RIVER TO N'CALAI BOUMBA--A SEVERE ATTACK OF FEVER--THE - TENDER CARE OF THE NATIVES FOR ME--ANGUILAI ACCUSES HIS PEOPLE OF - BEWITCHING ME--I GO OUT AND QUIET HIM--A BOY CUT TO PIECES FOR - WITCHCRAFT--A USEFUL IDOL--THE EBONY TREES. - - -With Quengueza I resumed the ascent of the river Ovenga. We were bound -to the town of a chief named Anguilai. The place was called N'calai -Boumba. - -We left Obindji early in the morning. On the way we passed several -Bakalai villages, the largest of which, Npopo, I afterwards visited. -The river banks, all the way up, were densely wooded, but very sparsely -inhabited by beasts. We saw no animals the whole day, except one monkey -and a few birds. - -Anguilai, who was one of the vassals of Quengueza, and a powerful -Bakalai chief, and whom I had met at Obindji's, received us well. - -Anguilai's town is the hottest place I ever saw in Africa. N'calai -Boumba was set in a hollow, and the houses were so small and close as -to be quite unendurable to me. The village was only a little more than -a year old. The people had come lately from the interior. Plantations -of plantain trees were very abundant. - -Towards the end of April I was brought down to my bed with fever. This -was the severest attack I had yet experienced in Africa. It entirely -prostrated me. I looked like a corpse. Not a single particle of colour -could be seen on my face. I had no strength. I could not eat. I could -not walk. - -For three days I had violent returns of the fever. The blood rushed -to my head, and my mind wandered at times; so the natives told me. Of -course I cannot remember what I said. I only know that my head burned -like fire, and that I was almost mad with pain. Between the attacks of -fever I really thought I should die and I commended my soul to God. - -While I lay sick, people came and entreated me not to hunt so much and -so constantly. They said, "Look at us; we hunt one day; we rest two. -When we hunt three days, we rest for many days after it. But you go out -every day." - -I thought to myself, they are right, and I shall follow their rule -hereafter. But it was hard to do so; for I felt that no one else was -in the field; that in such an unhealthy climate no one can live very -long, and I wanted to do as much work as I could. I wanted to bring all -the wonders of that part of the world to light; and I felt that I was -getting older and older, and there was yet very much work to be done. -So I prayed God to give me strength for the work that was entrusted to -my hands. - -I shall never forget the kindness of those native women to me while -I was sick. Poor souls! they are sadly abused by their task-masters. -They are the merest slaves. They have to do all the drudgery. They -receive blows and ill-usage. And yet, at the sight of suffering, their -hearts soften, just as women's hearts soften in our own more civilized -lands. No sooner did sickness attack me than these kind souls came to -nurse and take care of me. They sat by me to fan me; they brought more -mats for my bed; they bathed my burning head with cold water; they got -me refreshing fruit from the woods. At night, when I woke up from a -feverish dream, I used to hear their voices, as they sat around in the -darkness, pitying me and contriving ways to cure me. - -When I think of these things I cannot help thanking God for them; that, -wherever I have gone, He has made human hearts tender and kind to me; -that, even under the black skin of the benighted and savage African, He -has implanted something of His own compassionate love. - -Anguilai and Quengueza were sadly alarmed at my illness. Anguilai -accused his people of wickedly bewitching me. One still night he walked -up and down the village, threatening, in a loud voice, to kill the -sorcerers if he could only find them. I had to get up and tell Anguilai -that I was sure his people and the Bakalai loved me too much to wish me -to be sick. Whereupon they all shouted at once, "It is so; it is so." - -After a few days I was able to walk again a little; and I went and -lived in the forest, where I suffered less from the heat than in our -little houses. - -How sorry I often felt that these kind-hearted negroes were given to -superstitions which led them to commit the most horrid cruelties. A -little boy, about ten years old, had been accused of sorcery. On being -examined, he confessed that he had made a witch. Thereupon the whole -town seemed to be seized with the ferocity of devils. They took spears -and knives, and actually cut the poor little fellow to pieces. I had -been walking out, and returned just as the dreadful scene was over. -I could not even make the wretched people feel shame at their bloody -act. They were still frantic with rage at the thought that this little -fellow had made a witch to kill some of them; and they were not quiet -for some hours after. - -I felt so badly that I went into the woods and took the path that -led to the village of Npopo, which was not far distant from N'calai -Boumba. I wanted to see if the men had returned; I wanted to see -Aguailai, the chief. He was the doctor who had come to Goumbi to drive -off the aniemba. When I went down to Npopo the first time I found -the people all gone into the bush. Everything was open and exposed -to thieves; chickens and goats were walking about; and I wondered to -see such carelessness in the village. But in the centre, looking down -on everything, stood the _mbuiti_, or god of Npopo, a copper-eyed -divinity, who, I was informed, safely guarded everything. It seemed -absurd; but I was assured that no one dared steal, and no one did -steal, with the eyes of this mbuiti upon him. - -This uncommonly useful idol was a rudely-shaped piece of ebony, about -two feet high, with a man's face, the nose and eyes of copper, and the -body covered with grass. - -At last we started for the ebony woods. Our new location was about nine -miles from the river, on the side of a long hill, and close by where a -cool sparkling rivulet leaped from rock to rock down into the plain, -making the pleasantest of music for me as I lay, weak and sick, in the -camp. Five huge ebony trees lifted their crowned heads together in a -little knot just above us. All around were pleasant and shady woods. It -was a very pleasant camp, but proved to have one drawback--we nearly -starved to death. I sent out the hunters immediately on our arrival. -They were gone two days, but brought back nothing. Game was very scarce -there; and, without an _ashinga_, or net, such as many Bakalai villages -have, not much was to be got. - -[Illustration] - - - - -[Illustration] - -CHAPTER XXXVI. - - HUNTING FOR FOOD--WE KILL A FEMALE NSHIEGO MBOUVÉ--A YOUNG NSHIEGO - WITH A WHITE FACE--HE BECOMES MY PET TOMMY--HIS AFFECTION FOR - ME--HIS STEALING PRANKS--TOMMY GETS DRUNK--HIS BEHAVIOUR AT - MEALS--HIS SUDDEN DEATH--CONCLUSION. - - -At last I got better. I could not stand hunger and gouamba any longer, -and determined to make up a regular hunting party and stay out till -we got something to eat. Malaouen told me that if we went off about -twenty miles we should come to a better game country. So we started in -the direction he pointed out, and where he thought we should find the -gorilla, or perhaps the nshiego mbouvé. - -The men were covered with greegrees, or fetiches, and had cut their -hands for luck. Anguilai told me that his _ogana_ (idol) had told him -that to-morrow the heart of the _otanga_ (the white man) would be made -glad, for we should kill game. - -For some hours after we started we saw nothing but old tracks of -different wild beasts, and I began to think that Anguilai's ogana -had been too sanguine. Finally towards twelve o'clock, when we were -crossing a kind of high table-land, we heard the cry of a young animal, -which we recognised to be a nshiego mbouvé. At once all my troubles -left me. I no longer felt either sick or hungry. - -We crawled through the bush as silently as possible, still hearing the -baby-like cry. At last, coming out into a little place where there was -very little under-growth, we saw something running along the ground -towards where we stood concealed. We hardly dared to breathe, for fear -of awakening the animal's suspicions. When it came nearer, we saw it -was a female nshiego mbouvé, running on all-fours, with a young one -clinging to her breast. She was eagerly eating some berries, while with -one arm she supported her little one. - -Querlaouen, who had the fairest chance, fired, and brought her down. -She dropped without a struggle. The poor little one cried, "Hew! hew! -hew!" and clung to the dead body, sucking her breasts, and burying his -head there, in alarm at the report of the gun. - -We hurried up in great glee to secure our capture. I cannot tell my -surprise when I saw that the nshiego baby's face was as white as that -of a white child. - -I looked at the mother, but found her black as soot in the face. What -did it mean?--the mother black, the child white! The little one was -about a foot in height. One of the men threw a cloth over its head and -secured it, till we could make it fast with a rope; for, though it was -quite young, it could walk. The old one was of the bald-headed kind of -which I had secured the first known specimen some months before. - - [Illustration: A YOUNG NSHIEGO MBOUVÉ WITH A WHITE FACE. - CHAP. XXXVI.] - -I immediately ordered a return to the camp, which we reached towards -evening. The little nshiego had been all this time separated from -its dead mother, and now, when it was put near her body, a most -touching scene ensued. The little fellow ran instantly to her. Touching -her on the face and breast, he saw evidently that some great change -had happened. For a few minutes he caressed her, as though trying to -coax her back to life. Then he seemed to lose all hope. His little eyes -became very sad, and he broke out in a long, plaintive wail, "Ooee! -ooee! ooee!" which made my heart ache for him. He looked quite forlorn, -and as though he really felt his forsaken lot. All in the camp were -touched at his sorrows, and the women especially were much moved. - -All this time I stood wonderingly staring at the white face of the -creature. It was really marvellous, and quite incomprehensible. A more -strange and weird-looking animal I never saw. - -While I stood here, up came two of my hunters, and began to laugh at -me. "Look, Chaillie," said they, calling me by the name I am known by -among them--"look at your friend. Every time we kill gorilla, you tell -us look at your black friend, your first cousin. Now, you see, look at -your white friend." Then came a roar of laughter at what they thought a -tremendous joke. - -"Look! he got straight hair, all same as you! See white face of your -cousin from the bush! He is nearer to you than the gorilla is to us!" - -Then they roared again. - -"Gorilla no got woolly hair like me. This one straight hair like you." - -"Yes," said I; "but when he gets old his face is black; and do you not -see his nose, how flat it is, like yours?" - -Whereat there was a louder roar than before. - -The mother was old, to judge by her teeth, which were much worn; but -she was quite black in the face; in fact, her skin was black. Like all -the nshiego mbouvé, she was bald-headed. - -Now I must give you an account of the little fellow who excited all -this surprise and merriment. He lived five months, and became perfectly -tame and docile. I called him "Tommy," to which name he soon began to -answer. - -Three days after his capture, he was quite tame. He then ate crackers -out of my hands, devoured boiled rice and roasted plantain, and drank -the milk of a goat. Two weeks after his capture, he was perfectly -tamed, and no longer required to be tied up. He ran about the camp, -and, when we went back to Obindji's town, he found his way about the -village and into the huts just as though he had been raised there. - -He had a great affection for me, and used to follow me about. When I -sat down, he was not content till he had climbed upon me and hid his -head in my breast. He was extremely fond of being petted and fondled, -and would sit by the hour while anyone stroked his head and back. - -He soon began to be a very great thief. When the people left their huts -he would steal in and make off with their plantains or fish (for he -could then eat anything). He watched very carefully till all had left -a house, and it was difficult to catch him in the act. I flogged him -several times, and indeed brought him to the conviction that it was -_wrong_ to steal; but he could never resist the temptation. - -From me he stole constantly. He soon found out that my hut was the best -supplied with ripe bananas and other fruit. He also discovered that -the best time to steal from me was when I was asleep in the morning. -At that time he used to crawl slowly and carefully on tip-toe towards -my bed and look at my closed eyes. If he saw no movement, with an air -of great relief he would go and pick up several ripe plantains. If I -stirred in the least, he was off like a flash, and would presently -re-enter for another inspection. - -If my eyes were open when he came in on such a predatory trip, he would -come directly to me, with an honest face, and would climb upon me and -caress me; but I could easily detect an occasional wishful glance -towards the bunch of plantains. - -My hut had no door, but was closed with a mat. It was very funny to see -Tommy gently raising one corner of this mat and popping his head in -to see if I was asleep. Sometimes I feigned sleep, and then stirred, -just as he was in the act of taking off his prize. Then he would drop -everything and make off in the utmost consternation. - -He kept the run of meal times, and was present at as many meals as -possible; that is, he would go from my breakfast to half a dozen -others, and beg sometimes at each. But he never missed my own breakfast -and dinner, knowing by experience that he fared best there. - -I had a kind of rude table made, on which my meals were served, in the -open part of my house. This was too high for Tommy to see the dishes; -so he used to come in before I sat down, when all was ready, and climb -up on the pole that supported the roof. From here he would attentively -survey every dish on the table, and having determined what to have, he -would descend and sit down at my side. If I did not immediately pay -attention to him he would begin to howl, "Hew! hew! hew!" louder and -louder, till, for peace sake, his wants were satisfied. Of course I -could not tell what he had chosen for dinner of my different dishes, -and would offer him first one, then another, till the right one came. -If he received what he did not want he would throw it down on the -ground with a little shriek of anger and a stamp of his foot, and begin -to howl, and this was repeated till he was served to his liking. In -short, he behaved very much like a spoiled child. - -If I pleased him quickly, he thanked me by a kind of gentle murmur, -like "hoohoo," and would hold out his hand to shake mine. He knew -perfectly how to shake hands. He was very fond of boiled messes, -particularly boiled fish, and was constantly picking the bones he -found lying about the village. He wanted always to taste of my coffee, -and when Macondai brought it would beg some of me in the most serious -manner. - -I made him a little pillow to sleep on, and he became very fond of it. -After he was accustomed to it, he would never part with it, but dragged -it after him wherever he went. If by any chance it was lost the whole -camp knew it by his howls. Now and then, on some forest excursion, he -would mislay it, and then I had to send people for it in order to stop -his noise. At other times the people would hide it, just to tease him. -He slept on it, coiled up in a little heap, and only relinquished it -when I gave him permission to accompany me into the woods. - -As he became more and more used to our ways, he grew more impatient of -contradiction, and more fond of being caressed; and whenever he was -thwarted, he would howl in his disagreeable way. Now and then I gave -him a flogging to teach him better manners. - -As the dry season came on it became colder, and Tommy began to wish for -company when he slept, to keep him warm. The negroes would not have -him for a companion, for he seemed too much like one of themselves. -I did not like to have him in bed with me. So poor Tommy was reduced -to misery, as he seemed to think nobody would have him. But soon I -found that he waited till everybody was fast asleep at night, and then -crawled in softly next some of his black friends, and slept there till -the earliest dawn. Then he would get up and get away undiscovered. At -other times he felt too warm and comfortable to get up, and was caught -and beaten, but he always tried it again. - -He showed an extraordinary fondness for strong drink. Whenever a -negro had palm-wine Tommy was sure to know it. He had a decided taste -for Scotch ale, of which I had a few bottles, and he even begged for -brandy. Indeed, his last exploit was with a brandy bottle. One day, -before going out to the hunt, I had carelessly left the bottle on my -chest. The little rascal stole in and seized it; and being unable to -get out the cork, in some way he broke the bottle. When I returned, -after some hours' absence, I found my precious bottle broken in pieces! -It was the last; and to an African traveller brandy is as indispensable -as quinine. Master Tommy was coiled up on the floor amid the fragments, -in a state of maudlin drunkenness. When he saw me he got up and tried -to stagger up to me; but his legs tottered, and he fell down several -times. His eyes had the glare of human drunkenness; his arms were -extended in vain attempts to reach me; his voice came thick; in fact, -he looked disgustingly and yet comically human. It was the maudlin and -sentimental stage of human drunkenness very well represented. I had -seen men looking exactly as Tommy did, and I wished these drunkards -could have seen him; they might then, perhaps, have become so disgusted -with themselves that they would have given up their horrid vice. - -I gave him a severe thrashing, which seemed to sober the little toper -somewhat; but nothing could cure him of his love for liquor. - -He was also very fond of tea and coffee, but wanted both to be well -sweetened. He could drink out of a cup. Sometimes, to tease him, I -would not put in any sugar; then he would throw down the cup and begin -to howl; and he would make the whole place resound with his noise. - -He had a great deal of intelligence; and, if I had had leisure, I think -I might have trained him to some kind of good behaviour, though I -despaired of his thieving disposition. The older he grew, the greater -thief he became. - -He lived so long, and was growing so accustomed to civilized life, that -I began to have great hopes of carrying him alive to America. - -Sometimes he would come round the fire where my men were and warm -himself with them. How comical he then looked! At other times, when -they took their meals, and ate out of a common dish, Master Tommy would -join the party; and when they would all put their hands into the dish, -he would put his in also, and take a little handful of cooked and -smoked fish. In fact, he kept time with them. - -But alas! poor Tommy! One morning he refused his food, seemed downcast, -and was very anxious to be petted and held in our arms. I got all kinds -of forest berries for him, but he refused all. He did not seem to -suffer, but he ate nothing; and next day, without a struggle, he died. -Poor fellow! he seemed sorry to leave us. I was grieved; and even the -negroes, though he had given them great trouble, were mournful at his -death. He had hardly expired when the news spread through the village -that little Tommy was no more. They all came to see him; he looked as -if he were asleep. - -It seemed as if we had lost a friend. We missed his mischief and noise; -and for many days we all mourned for Tommy, and wished him back among -us. - -Tommy turned darker as he grew older. At the time of his death he was -yellow rather than white. If he had lived to be old he would, no doubt, -have become black, like his mother. - - * * * * * - -And now, young friends, for the present I have done. I have told you -many things about Africa, about its strange animals, its terrible -gorillas, its savage cannibals. And all that I have told you is true; -for it is what I have seen with my own eyes. - -But I have not told you all that I saw and heard in that far-distant -country. I have many more singular sights to describe and queer -adventures to recount to you. - -So I will not bid you farewell: I will say to you "_Au revoir!_" That -means "Good-bye till I come again." - - -THE END. - - -Gilbert and Rivington, Ld., St. John's House, Clerkenwell Road, London. - - - - -Uniform with this Volume. - -_With numerous Illustrations, 2s. 6d.; gilt edges, 3s. 6d. each._ - - -=Dick Cheveley.= By W. H. G. Kingston. - -=Heir of Kilfinnan.= By W. H. G. Kingston. - -=Off to the Wilds.= By G. Manville Fenn. - -=The Two Supercargoes.= By W. H. G. Kingston. - -=The Silver Cañon.= By G. Manville Fenn. - -=Under the Meteor Flag.= By Harry Collingwood. - -=Jack Archer=: a Tale of the Crimea. By G. A. Henty. - -=The Mutiny on board the Ship "Leander."= By B. Heldmann. - -=With Axe and Rifle=; or, The Western Pioneers. By W. H. G. Kingston. - -=Red Cloud, the Solitary Sioux=: a Tale of the Great Prairie. By -Colonel Sir William Butler, K.C.B. - -=The Voyage of the Aurora.=, By Harry Collingwood. - -=Charmouth Grange=: a Tale of the 17th Century. By J. Percy Groves. - -=Snowshoes and Canoes.= By W. H. G. Kingston. - -=The Son of the Constable of France.= By Louis Rousselet. - -=Captain Mugford=; or, Our Salt and Fresh Water Tutors. Edited by W. H. -G. Kingston. - -=The Cornet of Horse=; a Tale of Marlborough's Wars. By G. A. Henty. - -=The Adventures of Captain Mago.= By Leon Cahun. - -=Noble Words and Noble Deeds.= - -=The King of the Tigers.= By Rousselet. - -=Hans Brinker=; or, The Silver Skates. By Mrs. Dodge. - -=The Drummer-Boy=; a Story of the time of Washington. By Rousselet. - -=Adventures in New Guinea=: The Narrative of Louis Trégance. - -=The Crusoes of Guiana.= By Boussenard. - -=The Gold-Seekers.= A Sequel to the above. By Boussenard. - -=Winning his Spurs=: a Tale of the Crusade. By G. A. Henty. - -=The Blue Banner.= By Leon Cahun. - -=Ben Burton=; or, Born and Bred at Sea. By W. H. G. Kingston. - -=Adventures on the Great Hunting Grounds of the World.= By V. Meunier. - -=The Three Deserters=; or, Ran Away from the Dutch. By M. T. H. -Perelaer. - -=My Kalulu, Prince, King, and Slave.= By H. M. Stanley. - -=Adventures of a Young Naturalist.= By Lucien Biart. Edited and adapted -by Parker Gillmore (Ubique). - -=The Startling Exploits of the Doctor.= By Céliere. - -=The Brothers Rantzau=: a Story of the Vosges. By Erckmann-Chatrian. - -=The Serpent Charmer.= By Louis Rousselet. - -=Stories of the Gorilla Country.= By Paul Du Chaillu. - -=The Conquest of the Moon.= By A. Laurie. - -=The Maid of the Ship "Golden Age."= By H. E. Maclean. - -=The Frozen Pirate.= By W. Clark Russell. - -=The Marvellous Country.= By S. W. Cozzens. - -=The Mountain Kingdom.= By D. Lawson Johnstone. - -=A Thousand Miles in the "Rob Roy" Canoe.= By John MacGregor ("Rob -Roy"). - -=Blacks and Bushrangers=; or, Adventures in Queensland. By E. B. -Kennedy. - -=Sir Ludar=: a Tale of Love, War, and Adventure in the days of the -great Queen Bess. By Talbot Baines Reed. - -=Wild Life under the Equator.= By Paul Du Chaillu. - -=My Rambles in the New World.= By Lucien Biart. - -=New York to Brest in Seven Hours.= By A. Laurie. - -=Rob Roy on the Baltic.= By John MacGregor, M.A. - -=Bevis.= By Richard Jefferies. Edited by G. A. Henty. - -=The Cobbler of Cornikeranium.= By Rev. A. N. Malan. - -=Strange Stories of Adventure.= By Captain Mayne Reid. - -=The Aztec Treasure-House.= By T. A. Janvier. - -=How Martin Drake found his Father.= By G. Norway. - -=Roger Ingleton, Minor.= By T. B. Reed. - -=Axel Ebersen, the Graduate of Upsala.= By A. Laurie. - -=Sandy Carmichael.= By C. J. Hyne. - -=The Priceless Orchid.= By Percy Ainslie. - -=An Inca Queen.= By J. Evelyn. - -=Voyage Alone in the Yawl "Rob Roy."= By J. MacGregor. - -=Adrift In the Pacific.= By Jules Verne. - -=The Purchase of the North Pole.= By Jules Verne. - - - LONDON: SAMPSON LOW, MARSTON & COMPANY, LTD., - - ST. DUNSTAN'S HOUSE, FETTER LANE, FLEET STREET, E.C. - - - - - -End of Project Gutenberg's Stories of the Gorilla Country, by Paul Du Chaillu - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK STORIES OF THE GORILLA COUNTRY *** - -***** This file should be named 52444-8.txt or 52444-8.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/5/2/4/4/52444/ - -Produced by Carlos Colón, Princeton Theological Seminary -Library and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at -http://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images -generously made available by The Internet Archive) - - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will -be renamed. - -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United -States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. Special rules, set forth in the General Terms of Use part -of this license, apply to copying and distributing Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic works to protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm -concept and trademark. Project Gutenberg is a registered trademark, -and may not be used if you charge for the eBooks, unless you receive -specific permission. If you do not charge anything for copies of this -eBook, complying with the rules is very easy. You may use this eBook -for nearly any purpose such as creation of derivative works, reports, -performances and research. They may be modified and printed and given -away--you may do practically ANYTHING in the United States with eBooks -not protected by U.S. copyright law. Redistribution is subject to the -trademark license, especially commercial redistribution. - -START: FULL LICENSE - -THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE -PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK - -To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free -distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work -(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project -Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full -Project Gutenberg-tm License available with this file or online at -www.gutenberg.org/license. - -Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic works - -1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to -and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property -(trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all -the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or -destroy all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your -possession. If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a -Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound -by the terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the -person or entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph -1.E.8. - -1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be -used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who -agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few -things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works -even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See -paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this -agreement and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic works. See paragraph 1.E below. - -1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the -Foundation" or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection -of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual -works in the collection are in the public domain in the United -States. If an individual work is unprotected by copyright law in the -United States and you are located in the United States, we do not -claim a right to prevent you from copying, distributing, performing, -displaying or creating derivative works based on the work as long as -all references to Project Gutenberg are removed. Of course, we hope -that you will support the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting -free access to electronic works by freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm -works in compliance with the terms of this agreement for keeping the -Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with the work. You can easily -comply with the terms of this agreement by keeping this work in the -same format with its attached full Project Gutenberg-tm License when -you share it without charge with others. - -1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern -what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are -in a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, -check the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this -agreement before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, -distributing or creating derivative works based on this work or any -other Project Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no -representations concerning the copyright status of any work in any -country outside the United States. - -1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: - -1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other -immediate access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear -prominently whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work -on which the phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the -phrase "Project Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, -performed, viewed, copied or distributed: - - This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and - most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no - restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it - under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this - eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the - United States, you'll have to check the laws of the country where you - are located before using this ebook. - -1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is -derived from texts not protected by U.S. copyright law (does not -contain a notice indicating that it is posted with permission of the -copyright holder), the work can be copied and distributed to anyone in -the United States without paying any fees or charges. If you are -redistributing or providing access to a work with the phrase "Project -Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the work, you must comply -either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 or -obtain permission for the use of the work and the Project Gutenberg-tm -trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. - -1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted -with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution -must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any -additional terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms -will be linked to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works -posted with the permission of the copyright holder found at the -beginning of this work. - -1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm -License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this -work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. - -1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this -electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without -prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with -active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project -Gutenberg-tm License. - -1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, -compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including -any word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access -to or distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format -other than "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official -version posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site -(www.gutenberg.org), you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense -to the user, provide a copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means -of obtaining a copy upon request, of the work in its original "Plain -Vanilla ASCII" or other form. Any alternate format must include the -full Project Gutenberg-tm License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. - -1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, -performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works -unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. - -1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing -access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works -provided that - -* You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from - the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method - you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is owed - to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he has - agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the Project - Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments must be paid - within 60 days following each date on which you prepare (or are - legally required to prepare) your periodic tax returns. Royalty - payments should be clearly marked as such and sent to the Project - Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the address specified in - Section 4, "Information about donations to the Project Gutenberg - Literary Archive Foundation." - -* You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies - you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he - does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm - License. You must require such a user to return or destroy all - copies of the works possessed in a physical medium and discontinue - all use of and all access to other copies of Project Gutenberg-tm - works. - -* You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of - any money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the - electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days of - receipt of the work. - -* You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free - distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. - -1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic work or group of works on different terms than -are set forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing -from both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and The -Project Gutenberg Trademark LLC, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm -trademark. Contact the Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. - -1.F. - -1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable -effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread -works not protected by U.S. copyright law in creating the Project -Gutenberg-tm collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may -contain "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate -or corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other -intellectual property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or -other medium, a computer virus, or computer codes that damage or -cannot be read by your equipment. - -1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right -of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project -Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project -Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all -liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal -fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT -LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE -PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE -TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE -LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR -INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH -DAMAGE. - -1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a -defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can -receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a -written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you -received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium -with your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you -with the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in -lieu of a refund. If you received the work electronically, the person -or entity providing it to you may choose to give you a second -opportunity to receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If -the second copy is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing -without further opportunities to fix the problem. - -1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth -in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS', WITH NO -OTHER WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT -LIMITED TO WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. - -1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied -warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of -damages. If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement -violates the law of the state applicable to this agreement, the -agreement shall be interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or -limitation permitted by the applicable state law. The invalidity or -unenforceability of any provision of this agreement shall not void the -remaining provisions. - -1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the -trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone -providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in -accordance with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the -production, promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic works, harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, -including legal fees, that arise directly or indirectly from any of -the following which you do or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this -or any Project Gutenberg-tm work, (b) alteration, modification, or -additions or deletions to any Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any -Defect you cause. - -Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm - -Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of -electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of -computers including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It -exists because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations -from people in all walks of life. - -Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the -assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's -goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will -remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project -Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure -and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future -generations. To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary -Archive Foundation and how your efforts and donations can help, see -Sections 3 and 4 and the Foundation information page at -www.gutenberg.org Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg -Literary Archive Foundation - -The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit -501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the -state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal -Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification -number is 64-6221541. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg Literary -Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent permitted by -U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. - -The Foundation's principal office is in Fairbanks, Alaska, with the -mailing address: PO Box 750175, Fairbanks, AK 99775, but its -volunteers and employees are scattered throughout numerous -locations. Its business office is located at 809 North 1500 West, Salt -Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887. Email contact links and up to -date contact information can be found at the Foundation's web site and -official page at www.gutenberg.org/contact - -For additional contact information: - - Dr. Gregory B. Newby - Chief Executive and Director - gbnewby@pglaf.org - -Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg -Literary Archive Foundation - -Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide -spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of -increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be -freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest -array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations -($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt -status with the IRS. - -The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating -charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United -States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a -considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up -with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations -where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To SEND -DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any particular -state visit www.gutenberg.org/donate - -While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we -have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition -against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who -approach us with offers to donate. - -International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make -any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from -outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. - -Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation -methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other -ways including checks, online payments and credit card donations. To -donate, please visit: www.gutenberg.org/donate - -Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works. - -Professor Michael S. Hart was the originator of the Project -Gutenberg-tm concept of a library of electronic works that could be -freely shared with anyone. For forty years, he produced and -distributed Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of -volunteer support. - -Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed -editions, all of which are confirmed as not protected by copyright in -the U.S. unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not -necessarily keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper -edition. - -Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search -facility: www.gutenberg.org - -This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, -including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary -Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to -subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. - diff --git a/old/52444-8.zip b/old/52444-8.zip Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index c7e4db8..0000000 --- a/old/52444-8.zip +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/52444-h.zip b/old/52444-h.zip Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index e4016f9..0000000 --- a/old/52444-h.zip +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/52444-h/52444-h.htm b/old/52444-h/52444-h.htm deleted file mode 100644 index 0af0916..0000000 --- a/old/52444-h/52444-h.htm +++ /dev/null @@ -1,10988 +0,0 @@ -<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" - "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd"> -<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en"> - <head> - <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html;charset=iso-8859-1" /> - <meta http-equiv="Content-Style-Type" content="text/css" /> - <title> - The Project Gutenberg eBook of Stories of the Gorilla Country, by Paul Du Chaillu. - </title> - <link rel="coverpage" href="images/cover.jpg" /> - <style type="text/css"> - -body { - margin-left: 10%; - margin-right: 10%; -} - - h1,h2{ - text-align: center; /* all headings centered */ - clear: both; - line-height: 2; -} - -h1 {margin-top: 2em; margin-bottom: 2em;} - -h2 {margin-top: 4em; margin-bottom: 1em;} - - -p { - margin-top: .75em; - text-align: justify; - margin-bottom: .75em; - } - - .p2 {margin-top: 2em;} - .p4 {margin-top: 4em;} - .p6 {margin-top: 6em;} - -.pagenum { /* uncomment the next line for invisible page numbers */ - /* visibility: hidden; */ - position: absolute; - left: 92%; - font-size: small; - text-align: right; - /* not bold */ - font-weight: normal; - /* not italic */ - font-style: normal; - /* not small cap */ - font-variant: normal; -} /* page numbers */ - -.figcenter {margin: auto; - text-align: center; - margin-top: 2em; - margin-bottom: 2em;} - -.figcenter6 {margin: auto; - text-align: center; - margin-top: 6em; - margin-bottom: 2em;} - -.caption p -{ - text-align: center; - text-indent: 0; - margin: 0.25em 0; -} - - -.center {text-align: center;} -.right {text-align: right;} -.medium {font-size: medium;} -.smcap {font-variant: small-caps;} -.i2 {margin-left: 2em; padding-right: 2em;} -.i4 {margin-left: 4em; padding-right: 2em;} - -hr { - width: 33%; - margin-top: 2em; - margin-bottom: 2em; - margin-left: auto; - margin-right: auto; - clear: both; -} - - - -hr.tb {width: 15%; margin-top: 2em; margin-bottom: 2em;} -hr.chap {width: 25%; margin-top: 2em; margin-bottom: 2em;} - - -/* Transcriber's notes */ -.box {margin: auto; - margin-top: 2em; - border: 1px solid; - padding: 1em; - background-color: #F0FFFF; - width: 25em;} - -table { - margin-left: auto; - margin-right: auto; - margin-top: 2em; - margin-bottom: 2em; -} - - .tdl {text-align: left; padding-right: 1.5em;} - .tdrb {text-align: right; vertical-align: bottom;} - .tdc {text-align: center; padding-top: 1.5em;} - - -@media handheld -{ - body - { - margin: 0; - padding: 0; - width: 90%; - } - - .box { - width: 75%;} - - hr.tb - { - width: 10%; - margin-left: 47.5%; - margin-top: 2em; - margin-bottom: 2em; - } - - hr.chap - { - width: 20%; - margin-left: 42.5%; - margin-top: 2em; - margin-bottom: 2em; - } - - -} - </style> - </head> -<body> - - -<pre> - -Project Gutenberg's Stories of the Gorilla Country, by Paul Du Chaillu - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most -other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions -whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of -the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at -www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you'll have -to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this ebook. - - - -Title: Stories of the Gorilla Country - Narrated for Young People - -Author: Paul Du Chaillu - -Release Date: June 30, 2016 [EBook #52444] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK STORIES OF THE GORILLA COUNTRY *** - - - - -Produced by Carlos Colón, Princeton Theological Seminary -Library and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at -http://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images -generously made available by The Internet Archive) - - - - - - -</pre> - - -<p class="box">Transcriber's Notes:<br /> -<br /> - - -Blank pages have been eliminated.<br /> -<br /> -Variations in spelling and hyphenation have been left as in the -original.<br /> -<br /> -A few typographical errors have been corrected.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_ii" id="Page_ii"></a></span></p> - -<div class="figcenter"><a name="front"><img src="images/front.png" width="600" -height="375" alt="" title="" /></a> -<div class="caption"> -GORILLA HUNTING.<br /> -<a href="#XXXII">CHAP. XXXII.</a> -</div></div> - - - - - - - -<hr class="chap" /> - - - - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_iii" id="Page_iii"></a></span></p> - - -<h1>STORIES<br /> -<span class="medium">OF THE</span><br /> -GORILLA COUNTRY</h1> - -<p class="center">NARRATED FOR YOUNG PEOPLE</p> - -<p class="center p4">BY<br /> -PAUL DU CHAILLU<br /> -AUTHOR OF "DISCOVERIES IN EQUATORIAL AFRICA"<br /> -ETC., ETC.</p> - -<p class="center p4">NEW AND CHEAPER EDITION</p> - -<p class="center p4">LONDON<br /> -SAMPSON LOW, MARSTON & COMPANY<br /> -<i>Limited</i><br /> -St. Dunstan's House<br /> -<span class="smcap">Fetter Lane, Fleet Street, E.C.</span><br /> -1893<br /> -[<i>All rights reserved</i>]</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_iv" id="Page_iv"></a></span></p> -<p class="center p6">LONDON: -PRINTED BY GILBERT AND RIVINGTON, LD.,<br /> -ST. JOHN'S HOUSE, CLERKENWELL ROAD, E.C.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_v" id="Page_v"></a></span></p> - -<h2>CONTENTS.</h2> - -<table border="0" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="1" summary="contents"> - -<tr> - <td class="tdrb smcap" colspan="2">Page</td> -</tr> - -<tr> - <td class="tdl"><a href="#I">PRELIMINARY CHAPTER</a></td> - <td class="tdrb">1</td> -</tr> - -<tr> - <td class="tdc" colspan="2"><a href="#II">CHAPTER II.</a></td> -</tr> - -<tr> - <td class="tdl">Arrival on the coast—A king and his palace—Dancing and - idol-worship</td> - <td class="tdrb">8</td> -</tr> - -<tr> - <td class="tdc" colspan="2"><a href="#III">CHAPTER III.</a></td> -</tr> - -<tr> - <td class="tdl">A week in the woods—A tornado—The leopards prowling about—I - kill a cobra and a scorpion—Fight with a buffalo—Hunting for - wild boars—A leopard takes a ride on a bull—Sick with the fever</td> - <td class="tdrb">13</td> -</tr> - -<tr> - <td class="tdc" colspan="2"><a href="#IV">CHAPTER IV.</a></td> -</tr> - -<tr> - <td class="tdl">A village on the seashore—Lying in wait for a leopard</td> - <td class="tdrb">23</td> -</tr> - -<tr> - <td class="tdc" colspan="2"><a href="#V">CHAPTER V.</a></td> -</tr> - -<tr> - <td class="tdl">The Bay of Corisco—The mangrove trees—The wonderful flocks of -birds—What I found in the pouch of a pelican—How an old king -is buried, and the new king crowned</td> - <td class="tdrb">29</td> -</tr> - -<tr> - <td class="tdc" colspan="2"><a href="#VI">CHAPTER VI.</a></td> -</tr> - -<tr> - <td class="tdl">An old man killed for witchcraft—My journey to the country of -the cannibals—Starting on the route</td> - <td class="tdrb">37</td> -</tr> - -<tr> - <td class="tdc" colspan="2"><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_vi" id="Page_vi">[vi]</a></span><a href="#VII">CHAPTER VII.</a></td> -</tr> - -<tr> - <td class="tdl">Our journey through the wilderness continued—A rebellion in -camp—Nothing to eat—I shoot a fish and miss an elephant—I -kill a big snake and the others eat him—My first sight of -gorillas</td> - <td class="tdrb">47</td> -</tr> - -<tr> - <td class="tdc" colspan="2"><a href="#VIII">CHAPTER VIII.</a></td> -</tr> - -<tr> - <td class="tdl">I arrive among the cannibals—Their spears, bows, and -battle-axes—They take me for a spirit—Their king shakes when -he sees me—I give him a looking-glass—It astonishes him</td> - <td class="tdrb">59</td> -</tr> - -<tr> - <td class="tdc" colspan="2"><a href="#IX">CHAPTER IX.</a></td> -</tr> - -<tr> - <td class="tdl">An elephant hunt</td> - <td class="tdrb">67</td> -</tr> - -<tr> - <td class="tdc" colspan="2"><a href="#X">CHAPTER X.</a></td> -</tr> - -<tr> - <td class="tdl">Life among the cannibals—Curious musical instruments—Cooking -utensils—A blacksmith's bellows and anvil—Cannibal diet</td> - <td class="tdrb">75</td> -</tr> - -<tr> - <td class="tdc" colspan="2"><a href="#XI">CHAPTER XI.</a></td> -</tr> - -<tr> - <td class="tdl">Journey to Yoongoolapay—Hunting with nets—The terrible -Bashikonay ants</td> - <td class="tdrb">83</td> -</tr> - -<tr> - <td class="tdc" colspan="2"><a href="#XII">CHAPTER XII.</a></td> -</tr> - -<tr> - <td class="tdl">Returning to the coast—Caverns and waterfalls in the -highlands—Crossing a river on mangrove roots—Stirring up a big -snake—A mutual scare</td> - <td class="tdrb">89</td> -</tr> - -<tr> - <td class="tdc" colspan="2"><a href="#XIII">CHAPTER XIII.</a></td> -</tr> - -<tr> - <td class="tdl">Cape Lopez and an open prairie once more—King Bango and his -three hundred wives—His five idols—Slave barracoons—The -corpse and the vultures</td> - <td class="tdrb">97</td> -</tr> - -<tr> - <td class="tdc" colspan="2"><a href="#XIV">CHAPTER XIV.</a><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_vii" id="Page_vii">[vii]</a></span></td> -</tr> - -<tr> - <td class="tdl">Slave barracoons—A big snake under my bed—A slave-ship off the -coast</td> - <td class="tdrb">103</td> -</tr> - -<tr> - <td class="tdc" colspan="2"><a href="#XV">CHAPTER XV.</a></td> -</tr> - -<tr> - <td class="tdl">Going into the interior—Sleeping with the king's rats—The -chimpanzee—Kill a gazelle—Too cold to sleep—The grey -partridge</td> - <td class="tdrb">109</td> -</tr> - -<tr> - <td class="tdc" colspan="2"><a href="#XVI">CHAPTER XVI.</a></td> -</tr> - -<tr> - <td class="tdl">The hippopotamus—A speck of war—Reach Ngola—A Sunday -talk—The black man's God and the white man's God—How King -Njambai punished his wife—We build an olako in the woods</td> - <td class="tdrb">117</td> -</tr> - -<tr> - <td class="tdc" colspan="2"><a href="#XVII">CHAPTER XVII.</a></td> -</tr> - -<tr> - <td class="tdl">An unsuccessful hunt for elephants—I take aim at a buffalo—A -leopard in the grass near us—We shoot the leopard and her -kitten—Great rejoicing in camp—Who shall have the tail?—A -quarrel over the brains—The guinea hens—The monkeys</td> - <td class="tdrb">125</td> -</tr> - -<tr> - <td class="tdc" colspan="2"><a href="#XVIII">CHAPTER XVIII.</a></td> -</tr> - -<tr> - <td class="tdl">Alone in camp—Hunting for elephants—Aboko kills a rogue—I cut -another python in two—We shoot some wild boars—A buffalo -hunt—Return to Sangatanga—King Bango sick</td> - <td class="tdrb">133</td> -</tr> - -<tr> - <td class="tdc" colspan="2"><a href="#XIX">CHAPTER XIX.</a></td> -</tr> - -<tr> - <td class="tdl">A jolly excursion party—A race for the fishing banks—The -Oroungou burial-ground</td> - <td class="tdrb">143</td> -</tr> - -<tr> - <td class="tdc" colspan="2"><a href="#XX">CHAPTER XX.</a><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_viii" id="Page_viii">[viii]</a></span></td> -</tr> - -<tr> - <td class="tdl">Our camp at Point Fetish—An African watering-place—Fishing, -but not bathing—The sharks—Curing mullets, etc.—Turning -turtles—Bird shooting—A leopard springs upon us</td> - <td class="tdrb">149</td> -</tr> - -<tr> - <td class="tdc" colspan="2"><a href="#XXI">CHAPTER XXI.</a></td> -</tr> - -<tr> - <td class="tdl">Bound for the interior—A sea voyage—A tornado—We reach the -Fernand-Vaz—Sangala wishes to detain me—A night -alarm—Prospect of a war—Arrayed for battle—A compromise—My -Commi friends</td> - <td class="tdrb">157</td> -</tr> - -<tr> - <td class="tdc" colspan="2"><a href="#XXII">CHAPTER XXII.</a></td> -</tr> - -<tr> - <td class="tdl">I build a village, and call it Washington—I start for the -interior—My speech on leaving—The people applaud me -vociferously, and promise to be honest—We reach Aniambia—The -"big king," Olenga-Yombi—A royal ball in my honour—The -superstitions of the natives—A man tossed by a buffalo</td> - <td class="tdrb">169</td> -</tr> - -<tr> - <td class="tdc" colspan="2"><a href="#XXIII">CHAPTER XXIII.</a></td> -</tr> - -<tr> - <td class="tdl">Capture of a young gorilla—I call him "Fighting Joe"—His -strength and bad temper—He proves untameable—Joe -escapes—Recaptured—Escapes again—Unpleasant to handle—Death -of "Fighting Joe"</td> - <td class="tdrb">179</td> -</tr> - -<tr> - <td class="tdc" colspan="2"><a href="#XXIV">CHAPTER XXIV.</a></td> -</tr> - -<tr> - <td class="tdl">The hippopotamus—A duel—Shooting on the river—Nearly -upset—A night-hunt on land—My companion fires and -runs—Appearance and habits of the hippopotamus</td> - <td class="tdrb">189</td> -</tr> - -<tr> - <td class="tdc" colspan="2"><a href="#XXV">CHAPTER XXV.</a></td> -</tr> - -<tr> - <td class="tdl">Visit of King Quengueza—I promise to visit him—The kindness of -the Commi—The dry season of the Fernand-Vaz—Plenty of birds -and fishes—The marabouts—The eagles—A bad wound</td> - <td class="tdrb">199</td> -</tr> - -<tr> - <td class="tdc" colspan="2"><a href="#XXVI">CHAPTER XXVI.</a><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_ix" id="Page_ix">[ix]</a></span></td> -</tr> - -<tr> - <td class="tdl">Another expedition to Lake Anengue—Difficult passage up the -river—The crocodiles—King Damagondai and his troubles—I -buy an mbuiti, or idol</td> - <td class="tdrb">207</td> -</tr> - -<tr> - <td class="tdc" colspan="2"><a href="#XXVII">CHAPTER XXVII.</a></td> -</tr> - -<tr> - <td class="tdl">A visit to King Shimbouvenegani—His royal costume—Hunting -crocodiles—How they seize their prey—The nkago—The ogata</td> - <td class="tdrb">215</td> -</tr> - -<tr> - <td class="tdc" colspan="2"><a href="#XXVIII">CHAPTER XXVIII.</a></td> -</tr> - -<tr> - <td class="tdl">The nshiego mbouvé—Bald-headed apes—Their houses in the -trees—Lying in wait for them—We kill a male—The shrieks of -his mate—Description of the animal—Farewell to Shimbouvenegani</td> - <td class="tdrb">221</td> -</tr> - -<tr> - <td class="tdc" colspan="2"><a href="#XXIX">CHAPTER XXIX.</a></td> -</tr> - -<tr> - <td class="tdl">War threatened—Oshoria arms his men—We bluff them off, and -fall sick with fever—The <i>mbola ivoga</i>, or end of mourning -time—A death and burial—Finding out the sorcerer—The village -deserted—I become Viceroy at Washington</td> - <td class="tdrb">227</td> -</tr> - -<tr> - <td class="tdc" colspan="2"><a href="#XXX">CHAPTER XXX.</a></td> -</tr> - -<tr> - <td class="tdl">Hunting in the woods—The mboyo wolf—We catch another young -gorilla—He starves to death</td> - <td class="tdrb">237</td> -</tr> - -<tr> - <td class="tdc" colspan="2"><a href="#XXXI">CHAPTER XXXI.</a></td> -</tr> - -<tr> - <td class="tdl">Going to unknown regions—Quengueza sends his son as a -hostage—I take him along with me—Reception by the king—Our -speeches—Quengueza afraid of a witch—An incantation scene</td> - <td class="tdrb">241</td> -</tr> - -<tr> - <td class="tdc" colspan="2"><a href="#XXXII">CHAPTER XXXII.</a><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_x" id="Page_x">[x]</a></span></td> -</tr> - -<tr> - <td class="tdl">Gorilla hunting—My companions, Mombon, Etia, and Gambo—Etia -kills a large gorilla—-We make up a large party—Camp stories -about gorillas—We capture a young gorilla—Her untimely death</td> - <td class="tdrb">247</td> -</tr> - -<tr> - <td class="tdc" colspan="2"><a href="#XXXIII">CHAPTER XXXIII.</a></td> -</tr> - -<tr> - <td class="tdl">Voyage up the river—We build a village near -Obindji—Quengueza's plan for keeping the Sabbath—Kindness of -the natives—A trial by ordeal</td> - <td class="tdrb">253</td> -</tr> - -<tr> - <td class="tdc" colspan="2"><a href="#XXXIV">CHAPTER XXXIV.</a></td> -</tr> - -<tr> - <td class="tdl">The kooloo-kamba—The gouamba, or meat-hunger—Exploring the -forest—Gorilla hunting—Within eight yards of a large -gorilla—He roars with rage and marches upon us</td> - <td class="tdrb">259</td> -</tr> - -<tr> - <td class="tdc" colspan="2"><a href="#XXXV">CHAPTER XXXV.</a></td> -</tr> - -<tr> - <td class="tdl">We go up the river to N'calai Boumba—A severe attack of -fever—The tender care of the natives for me—Anguilai accuses -his people of bewitching me—I go out and quiet him—A boy cut -to pieces for witchcraft—A useful idol—The ebony trees</td> - <td class="tdrb">265</td> -</tr> - -<tr> - <td class="tdc" colspan="2"><a href="#XXXVI">CHAPTER XXXVI.</a></td> -</tr> - -<tr> - <td class="tdl">Hunting for food—We kill a female nshiego mbouvé—A young -nshiego with a white face—He becomes my pet Tommy—His -affection for me—His stealing pranks—Tommy gets drunk—His -behaviour at meals—His sudden death—Conclusion</td> - <td class="tdrb">271</td> -</tr> - -</table> - -<hr class="chap" /> - - -<p class="p6"><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_xi" id="Page_xi">[xi]</a></span></p> - -<h2>LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS.</h2> - - - -<table border="0" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="1" summary="contents"> - -<tr> - <td class="tdl smcap"><a href="#front">Gorilla Hunting</a></td> - <td class="tdrb smcap">Frontispiece</td> -</tr> - -<tr> - <td class="tdl smcap"><a href="#King">My Reception by the King</a></td> - <td class="tdrb smcap">3</td> -</tr> - -<tr> - <td class="tdl smcap"><a href="#Leopard">Enticing the Leopard</a></td> - <td class="tdrb smcap">23</td> -</tr> - -<tr> - <td class="tdl smcap"><a href="#Birds">Flocks of Birds</a></td> - <td class="tdrb smcap">29</td> -</tr> - -<tr> - <td class="tdl smcap"><a href="#Mbousha">Scene with the Mbousha</a></td> - <td class="tdrb smcap">37</td> -</tr> - -<tr> - <td class="tdl smcap"><a href="#Snake">Killing the Snake</a></td> - <td class="tdrb smcap">47</td> -</tr> - -<tr> - <td class="tdl smcap"><a href="#Glass">King astonished at Looking-Glass</a></td> - <td class="tdrb smcap">59</td> -</tr> - -<tr> - <td class="tdl smcap"><a href="#Elephant1">Entrapping the Elephant</a></td> - <td class="tdrb smcap">67</td> -</tr> - -<tr> - <td class="tdl smcap"><a href="#Work">Fan Blacksmiths at Work</a></td> - <td class="tdrb smcap">75</td> -</tr> - -<tr> - <td class="tdl smcap"><a href="#Handja">The Handja</a></td> - <td class="tdrb smcap">78</td> -</tr> - -<tr> - <td class="tdl smcap"><a href="#Hunting1">Net-Hunting</a></td> - <td class="tdrb smcap">83</td> -</tr> - -<tr> - <td class="tdl smcap"><a href="#Falling">Mangrove Swamp. Tumbling and Falling</a></td> - <td class="tdrb smcap">89</td> -</tr> - -<tr> - <td class="tdl smcap"><a href="#Ground">Slave Barracoons. Burial Ground</a></td> - <td class="tdrb smcap">97</td> -</tr> - -<tr> - <td class="tdl smcap"><a href="#Slaves">Embarking Slaves</a></td> - <td class="tdrb smcap">103</td> -</tr> - -<tr> - <td class="tdl smcap"><a href="#Gazelle">The Gazelle</a></td> - <td class="tdrb smcap">109</td> -</tr> - -<tr> - <td class="tdl smcap"><a href="#Dinner">After Dinner</a></td> - <td class="tdrb smcap">117</td> -</tr> - -<tr> - <td class="tdl smcap"><a href="#One">A Leopard and her Young One</a></td> - <td class="tdrb smcap">125</td> -</tr> - -<tr> - <td class="tdl smcap"><a href="#Elephant2">Aboko kills a Rogue Elephant</a></td> - <td class="tdrb smcap">133</td> -</tr> - -<tr> - <td class="tdl smcap"><a href="#Fishing">Fishing</a></td> - <td class="tdrb smcap">143</td> -</tr> - -<tr> - <td class="tdl smcap"><a href="#Sunrise">Turning Turtles just before Sunrise</a></td> - <td class="tdrb smcap">149</td> -</tr> - -<tr> - <td class="tdl smcap"><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_xii" id="Page_xii">[xii]</a></span><a href="#Tornado">Our Schooner caught in a Tornado</a></td> - <td class="tdrb smcap">157</td> -</tr> - -<tr> - <td class="tdl smcap"><a href="#Dancing">African Ball. King Olenga-Yombi Dancing</a></td> - <td class="tdrb smcap">169</td> -</tr> - -<tr> - <td class="tdl smcap"><a href="#Gorilla">Capturing a Young Gorilla</a></td> - <td class="tdrb smcap">179</td> -</tr> - -<tr> - <td class="tdl smcap"><a href="#Home">Hippopotami at Home</a></td> - <td class="tdrb smcap">189</td> -</tr> - -<tr> - <td class="tdl smcap"><a href="#Pelicans">Marabouts, Storks, and Pelicans</a></td> - <td class="tdrb smcap">199</td> -</tr> - -<tr> - <td class="tdl smcap"><a href="#Me">The King Receives Me</a></td> - <td class="tdrb smcap">207</td> -</tr> - -<tr> - <td class="tdl smcap"><a href="#Hunt">A Crocodile Hunt</a></td> - <td class="tdrb smcap">215</td> -</tr> - -<tr> - <td class="tdl smcap"><a href="#Mbouve">The Nshiego Mbouvé</a></td> - <td class="tdrb smcap">221</td> -</tr> - -<tr> - <td class="tdl smcap"><a href="#Mourning">Expiration of Mourning</a></td> - <td class="tdrb smcap">227</td> -</tr> - -<tr> - <td class="tdl smcap"><a href="#Hunting2">Wolf Hunting</a></td> - <td class="tdrb smcap">237</td> -</tr> - -<tr> - <td class="tdl smcap"><a href="#Scene">An Incantation Scene</a></td> - <td class="tdrb smcap">241</td> -</tr> - -<tr> - <td class="tdl smcap"><a href="#Ordeal">A Trial by Ordeal</a></td> - <td class="tdrb smcap">253</td> -</tr> - -<tr> - <td class="tdl smcap"><a href="#us">The Gorilla Marches upon us</a></td> - <td class="tdrb smcap">259</td> -</tr> - -<tr> - <td class="tdl smcap"><a href="#Mbuiti">Meeting the Mbuiti</a></td> - <td class="tdrb smcap">265</td> -</tr> - -<tr> - <td class="tdl smcap"><a href="#Face">A Young Nshiego Mbouvé with a White Face</a></td> - <td class="tdrb smcap">272</td> -</tr> - -</table> - -<div class="figcenter"><img src="images/illo1.png" width="200" -height="138" alt="" title="" /></div> -<hr class="chap" /> - - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_1" id="Page_1"></a></span></p> -<div class="figcenter6"><img src="images/illo2.png" width="600" -height="125" alt="" title="" /></div> - - - -<h2>Stories of the Gorilla Country.</h2> - - -<h2 id="I">PRELIMINARY CHAPTER.</h2> - - -<p>I had passed several years on the African Coast -before I began the explorations recorded in my -first book. In those years I hunted, traded -with the natives, and made collections in natural -history.</p> - -<p>In such a wild country as Africa one does not go far -without adventures. The traveller necessarily sees -what is strange and wonderful, for everything is -strange.</p> - -<p>In this book I have attempted to relate some of the -incidents of life in Africa for the reading of young -folks. In doing this I have kept no chronological -order, but have selected incidents and adventures here -and there as they seem to be fitted for my purpose.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_2" id="Page_2">[2]</a></span> -I have noticed that most intelligent boys like to read -about the habits of wild animals, and the manners and -way of life of savage men; and of such matters this -book is composed. In it I have entered into more -minute details concerning the life of the native inhabitants -than I could in my other books, and have -shown how the people build their houses, what are -their amusements, how they hunt, fish, eat, travel, and -live.</p> - -<p>Whenever I am at a friend's house the children ask -me to tell them something about Africa. I like -children, and in this book have written especially for -them. I hope to interest many who are yet too young -to read my larger works.</p> - -<div class="figcenter"><img src="images/illo3.png" width="200" -height="122" alt="" title="" /></div> -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_3" id="Page_3"></a></span></p> - - -<div class="figcenter6"><a name="King"><img src="images/king.png" width="550" -height="430" alt="" title="" /></a> -<div class="caption">MY RECEPTION BEFORE THE KING.</div></div> - - -<h2 id="II">CHAPTER II.</h2> - -<p class="i2 center">ARRIVAL ON THE COAST—A KING AND HIS PALACE—DANCING -AND IDOL-WORSHIP.</p> - - -<p class="p2">Some years ago a three-masted vessel took me -to a wild country on the West Coast of Africa -near the Equator.</p> - -<p>It was a very wild country indeed.</p> - -<p>As we came in sight of the land, which was covered<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_4" id="Page_4">[4]</a></span> -with forest, canoes began to start from the shore -towards us; and, as we neared the land, we could see -the people crowding down on the beach to look at the -strange sight of a vessel.</p> - -<p>The canoes approached the vessel in great numbers. -Some of them were so small that they looked like mere -nutshells. Indeed, some of the men paddled with -their feet; and one man carried his canoe ashore on -his shoulder.</p> - -<p>At last, the natives came on board, and what funny -people they were! I could not discern one from -another; they seemed to me all alike.</p> - -<p>What a queer way of dressing they had too! You -would have laughed to see them. Some had only an -old coat on. Others had an old pair of trousers which -probably had belonged to some sailor; these wore no -shirt or coat. Some had only an old ragged shirt, and -some again had nothing on except an old hat. Of -course none of them had shoes.</p> - -<p>How they shouted and hallooed as they came about -the vessel! They seemed to speak such a strange -language. No one on board appeared to understand -them. They made so great a noise that I thought I -should become deaf.</p> - -<p>One of them had a fowl to sell; another brought -an egg or two; and another a few bunches of -plantains.</p> - -<p>Our captain knew the coast; for he had long been an -African trader, though he had never been at this place -before.</p> - -<p>The ship cast anchor. It was not far from a river -called Benito.</p> - -<p>I left the vessel and went ashore with some others. -As I landed I was surrounded immediately by crowds -of natives, who looked so wild and so savage that I -thought they would kill me at once.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_5" id="Page_5">[5]</a></span></p> - -<p>I was led to the village, which stood not far from the -sea, and was hidden from view by the very large trees -and the great forest that surrounded it. On one side -of the village was a prairie.</p> - -<p>I shall always remember this village. It was the first -African village I had ever seen; and it was unlike those -built in Southern Africa.</p> - -<p>Don't think for a moment that I am going to speak -to you of stone or wooden houses. No! These wild -people lived in queer little huts, the walls of which were -made of the bark of trees, and were not more than four -or five feet high. The top of the roof was only about -seven or eight feet from the ground. The length of -these huts was about ten or twelve feet, and they were -seven or eight feet wide. There were no windows, -and the door was very small. They immediately took -me to one of these houses, and said they gave it to me. -They meant that it was mine as long as I would -stay with them. It belonged to the son of the -king.</p> - -<p>So I went in. But where was I to sit down?</p> - -<p>There was no chair to be seen.</p> - -<p>Patience, thought I. These people had probably -never seen a chair in their lives. It was so dark -I could not see at first. By and by I saw how the hut -was furnished. There were some calabashes to hold -water, and two or three cooking pots. There were -some ugly-looking spears, an axe, and two or three -large and queer-looking knives, which could sever the -head of a man at one blow. Of course I looked for a -bed: I need not tell you there was none; but, instead, -there were some sticks to lie upon. The very look of -this sleeping-place made me shudder; I thought of -snakes, scorpions, and centipedes. The dark hut seemed -the very place for them. Shortly after the king's son -came. If I remember well, his name was <i>Andèké</i>. He<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_6" id="Page_6">[6]</a></span> -told me that his father, the king, was ready to receive -me.</p> - -<p>The king ready to receive me!</p> - -<p>This was a great announcement. I must dress.</p> - -<p>But how?</p> - -<p>There was no washing-basin to wash myself in; -besides, I had forgotten my soap.</p> - -<p>I was glad I had no beard at that time; for I do not -know how I could have shaved.</p> - -<p>In short, I resolved to go and see his majesty as I -was.</p> - -<p>The sun being very warm, I took my umbrella with -me. The people conducted me to the royal -palace.</p> - -<p>What do you suppose a palace to be in the Benito -country? The king's palace was made of the same -material (bark of trees) as the houses I have just -described to you; and it was only about twice -as big.</p> - -<p>As I entered I went towards the king, who was -seated on a stool. Another empty stool was by his -side.</p> - -<p>I may say that Apourou—such was the king's -name—did not come up to my ideas of a king. -In fact, I should have laughed at him had I -dared.</p> - -<p>His costume was composed of a red soldier's coat, -and he wore a little bit of calico round his waist. -That was all. You must understand he had no -shirt.</p> - -<p>He was a tall, slim negro, with grey hair, and had -large scars on his face, and his whole body was covered -with tattoos. He wore large earrings. He was smoking -a big ugly pipe.</p> - -<p>He looked at me, and I looked at him.</p> - -<p>The room was full of people, and the king had several<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_7" id="Page_7">[7]</a></span> -of his wives around him. The queen was there. Would -you believe it? in that country a man marries as many -wives as he chooses!</p> - -<p>The king looked at me for a long time without -saying a word. Finally he opened his mouth, -clapped his hands, and said I was a funny-looking -<i>fellow</i>.</p> - -<p>He next said he was very glad to see me, and would -take care of me. Then he touched my hair, and said -I must give him some. He would like to have -me remain with him always. At this the people -shouted, "We want the <i>ntangani</i> to stay with -us!"</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>What do you think he did next?</p> - -<p>He quietly proposed to me that I should get -married to some of his countrywomen; and added -that whomsoever I should choose would become my -wife.</p> - -<p>The suggestion was received by all the people with -a tremendous grunt of approval, to show that they -thought just as their king. Then they shouted, "The -girl he likes he shall marry!"</p> - -<p>I said, "I don't want to get married, I am -too young." I did not want to tell him that -I would not, for all the world, marry one of his -people.</p> - -<p>It was getting very warm in the hut, and there was -a strong odour. The people were packed so closely -together that they reminded one of herrings in a -barrel, and you must remember I said the house had -no windows.</p> - -<p>Then the king presented me with one fowl, two -eggs, and one bunch of plantain; and as I went away -he said I had better give him my umbrella. But I -went off as if I had not heard what he said. I thought<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_8" id="Page_8">[8]</a></span> -it was rather too much for a king to ask a stranger to -give up his umbrella. I had just begun to learn what -African kings were.</p> - -<p>The people followed me everywhere; I wish I could -have understood their language. One man could talk -English, and I am going now to give you a specimen -of his English.</p> - -<p>When he thought I must be hungry, he said, "Want -chop? Want chop?" When he saw that I could -not understand what he meant, he made signs with his -hands and mouth, which at once explained to me that -he had asked me if I wanted to eat. I said, "Yes;" -and after a while, some cooked plantains, with some -fish, were brought to me. I did not care for the -plantains; it was the first time I had ever tasted -them.</p> - -<p>After my meal, I walked through the street of the -village and came to a house, in the recess of which I -saw an enormous idol. I had never in all my life seen -such an ugly thing. It was a rude representation of -some human being, of the size of life, and was made of -wood. It had large copper eyes, and a tongue of iron, -which shot out from its mouth to show that it could sting. -The lips were painted red. It wore large iron earrings. -Its head was ornamented with a feather cap. Most of -the feathers were red, and came from the tails of grey -parrots, while the body and face were painted red, -white, and yellow. It was dressed in the skins of wild -animals. Around it were scattered skins of tigers and -serpents, and the bones and skulls of animals. Some -food also was placed near, so that it might eat if it -chose.</p> - -<p>It was now sunset; and night soon set in over the -village. For the first time in my life I stood alone in -this dark world, surrounded by savages, without any -white people near me. There was no light in the -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_9" id="Page_9">[9]</a></span> -street, and only the reflection of the fires could be seen -now and then. How dismal it was!</p> - -<p>I looked at my pistols and my guns, and was glad to -find that they were in good order.</p> - -<p>By-and-by the people began to come out of their -huts; and I saw some torches lighted, and taken -towards the large <i>mbuiti</i> as they call the idol, and there -placed on the ground. The large drums or tom-toms -were also carried there; and the women and men of -the village gathered around. The tom-toms beat; -and, soon after, I heard the people singing. I went to -see what was the matter.</p> - -<p>What a sight met my eyes!</p> - -<p>The men had their bodies painted in different -colours. Some had one cheek red and the other -white or yellow. A broad white or yellow stripe -was painted across the middle of the chest and -along both the arms. Others had their bodies -spotted. Most ugly they looked! The women wore -several iron or brass rings around their wrists and -ankles.</p> - -<p>Then the singing began, and the dancing! I had -never seen such dancing before. It was very ungraceful. -The drummers beat on the tom-toms -with all their might. As they became warm with -exertion their bodies shone like seals, so oily were -they.</p> - -<p>I looked and looked, with my eyes wide open; -I was nearly stunned with the noise. As the women -danced and sung, the brass and iron rings which -they wore struck against each other, and kept -time with the music and the beating of the tom-toms.</p> - -<p>But why were they all there dancing and screeching -around the idol?</p> - -<p>I will tell you.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_10" id="Page_10">[10]</a></span> -They were about to start on a hunting expedition, -and they were asking the idol to give them good luck -in their sport.</p> - -<p>When I found it was to be a hunting expedition, I -wanted to go at once with these savages, though I was -only a lad under twenty years old.</p> - -<p>I retired to my hut with a valiant heart; I was -going to do great things.</p> - -<p>If you had been in my place, boys, would you not -have felt the same? Would you have left the gorillas -alone? I am sure you all shout at once, "No! -no!" Would you have let the elephants go unmolested -in the forest? "Certainly not," will be -your answer.</p> - -<p>And what about the chimpanzee, and the big -leopards who carry away so many people and eat them, -the huge buffaloes, the wild boars, the antelopes, and -the gazelles?</p> - -<p>Would you have left the snakes alone?</p> - -<p>Perhaps you are all going to say "Yes" to that; -and I think you are right, for many of these snakes are -very poisonous, and they are numerous in these great -forests; for the country I am telling you about is -nothing but an immense jungle. When a man is -bitten by one of these snakes he often dies in -a few minutes. There is also to be found in these -woods an immense python, or boa, that swallows -antelopes, gazelles, and many other animals. I shall -have a good deal to tell you about them by-and-by.</p> - -<p>So I resolved that I would try to see all these -native tribes; that I would have a peep at the -cannibals; that I would have a good look also at the -dwarfs.</p> - -<p>I am sure, that if any one of you had been with me -on that coast, you would have said to me, "Du<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_11" id="Page_11">[11]</a></span> -Chaillu, let us go together and see all these things, -and then come back home and tell the good folks all -we have seen."</p> - -<p>Yes, I am certain that every one of you would -have felt as I did.</p> - -<div class="figcenter"><img src="images/illo4.png" width="175" -height="149" alt="" title="" /></div> -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_12" id="Page_12"></a> -<a name="Page_13" id="Page_13"></a></span></p> - - -<div class="figcenter6"><img src="images/illo5.png" width="600" -height="136" alt="" title="" /></div> - -<h2 id="III">CHAPTER III.</h2> - - -<p class="i2 center">A WEEK IN THE WOODS—A TORNADO—THE LEOPARDS -PROWLING ABOUT—I KILL A COBRA AND A SCORPION—FIGHT -WITH A BUFFALO—HUNTING FOR WILD -BOARS—A LEOPARD TAKES A RIDE ON A BULL—SICK -WITH THE FEVER.</p> - - -<p class="p2">Now, boys, fancy yourselves transported into the -midst of a very dense and dark forest, where -the trees never shed their leaves all at one -time, where there is no food to be had, except -what you can get with your gun, and where wild -beasts prowl around you at night, while you sleep.</p> - -<p>I found myself in such a place.</p> - -<p>Immediately after we arrived in those gloomy solitudes -we began to build an olako to shelter us from -the rains.</p> - -<p>I must tell you that Benito is a very strange -country. It is situated, as you have seen by the map, -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_14" id="Page_14">[14]</a></span> -near the equator. Of course, you know what the -equator is? There, at a certain time of the year, the -sun is directly above your head at noon, and hence it -is the hottest part of the earth. The days and nights -are of the same length. The sun rises at six o'clock in -the morning, and the sunset takes place at six o'clock -in the evening. There is only a difference of a few -minutes all the year round. There is no twilight, and -half an hour before sunrise or after sunset it is dark. -There is no snow, except on very high mountains. -There is no winter. There are only two seasons—the -rainy season and the dry season. Our winter time at -home is the time of the rainy season in Equatorial -Africa, and it is also the hottest period of the year. It -rains harder there than in any other country. No such -rain is to be witnessed either in the United States or -Europe. And as to the thunder and lightning! You -never have heard or seen the like; it is enough to make -the hair on your head stand on end. Then come the -tornados, a kind of hurricane which, for a few minutes, -blows with terrific violence, carrying before it great -trees. How wild the sky looks! How awful to see the -black clouds sweeping through the sky with fearful -velocity!</p> - -<p>So you will not wonder that we busied ourselves in -preparing our shelter, for I remember well it was in -the month of February. We took good care not to -have big trees around us, for fear they might be hurled -upon us by a tornado, and bury us all alive under their -weight. Accordingly we built our olako near the -banks of a beautiful little stream, so that we could get -as much water as we wanted. Then we immediately -began to fell trees. We carried two or three axes with -us, for the axe is an indispensable article in the -forests. With the foliage we made a shelter to keep -off the rain.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_15" id="Page_15">[15]</a></span></p> - -<p>While the men were busy building the olako, the -women went in search of dried wood to cook our -supper. We had brought some food from the village -with us.</p> - -<p>We were ready just in time. A most terrific tornado -came upon us. The rain poured down in torrents. The -thunder was stunning. The lightning flashed so vividly -and often as nearly to blind us.</p> - -<p>Our dogs had hidden themselves, indeed all animals -and birds of the forest were much frightened, which -was not to be wondered at. How thankful I was to be -sheltered from such a storm! We had collected plenty -of fuel, and our fires burned brightly.</p> - -<p>We formed a strange group while seated around the -fires, the men and women smoking their pipes and -telling stories. We had several fires, and, as they -blazed up, their glare was thrown out through the -gloom of the forest, and filled it with fantastic shadows. -Though tired, everybody seemed merry. We were full -of hope for the morrow. Every one spoke of the -particular animal he wished to kill, and of which he -was most fond. Some wished for an antelope, others -for an elephant, a wild boar, or a buffalo. I confess that -I myself inclined towards the wild boar; and I believe -that almost every one had the same wish, for that -animal, when fat, is very good eating. Indeed, they -already began to talk as if the pig were actually before -them. All fancied they could eat a whole leg apiece, -and their mouths fairly watered in thinking about it. -No wonder they are so fond of meat, they have it so -seldom. Who among us does not relish a good dinner, -I should like to know?</p> - -<p>By-and-by all became silent; one after the other we -fell asleep, with the exception of two or three men who -were to watch over the fires and keep them bright; -for there were plenty of leopards prowling in the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_16" id="Page_16">[16]</a></span> -neighbouring forest, and none of us wanted to serve as -a meal for them. In fact, before going to sleep, we -heard some of these animals howling in the far distance. -During the night, one came very near our camp. He -went round and round; and, no doubt, lay in wait to -see if one of us would go out alone; and then he would -have pounced upon the careless fellow. I need not say -we did not give him a chance; and you may be sure -we kept the fire blazing. Finally, we fired a few guns, -and he went off.</p> - -<p>These leopards are dreadful animals, and eat a great -many natives. They are generally shy; but once they -have tasted human flesh, they become very fond of it, -and the poor natives are carried off, one after another, -in such numbers that the villages have to be abandoned.</p> - -<p>The next day we went hunting. I had hardly gone -into the forest when I saw, creeping on the ground -under the dry leaves, an enormous black snake: I -fancy I see it still. How close it was to me! One -step more and I should have just trodden upon it, and -then should have been bitten, and a few minutes after -have died, and then, boys, you know I should have had -nothing to tell you about Africa. This snake was a -cobra of the black variety (<i>Dendrapspis angusticeps</i>). -It is a very common snake in that region; and, as I -have said, very poisonous.</p> - -<p>As soon as the reptile saw me, he rose up, as if ready -to spring upon me, gave one of his hissing sounds, and -looked at me, showing, as he hissed, his sharp-pointed -tongue. Of course, the first thing I did was to make -a few steps backward. Then, levelling my gun, I fired -and killed him. He was about eight feet long. I cut -his head off, and examined his deadly fangs. What -horrible things they were! They looked exactly like -fish bones, with very sharp ends. I looked at them -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_17" id="Page_17">[17]</a></span> -carefully, and saw that he could raise and lower them -at will; while the teeth are firmly implanted in a -pouch, or little bag, which contains the poison. I saw -in the end of the fang a little hole, which communicated -with the pouch. When the snake opens his -mouth to bite, he raises his fangs. Then he strikes -them into the flesh of the animal he bites, and brings a -pressure on the pouch, and the poison comes out by -the little hole I have spoken of.</p> - -<p>I cut open the cobra, and found in his stomach a -very large bird. Andèké packed the bird and snake in -leaves, and, on our return to the camp, the men were -delighted. In the evening they made a nice soup of -the snake, which they ate with great relish.</p> - -<p>I had also killed a beautiful little striped squirrel, -upon which I made my dinner. I felt almost sorry to -kill it, it was such a pretty creature.</p> - -<p>In the evening, as I was siting by the fire, and looking -at the log that was burning, I spied a big ugly black -scorpion coming out of one of the crevices. I immediately -laid upon its back a little stick which I had in -my hand. You should have seen how its long tail flew -up and stung the piece of wood! I shuddered as I -thought that it might have stung my feet or hands, -instead of the wood. I immediately killed it, and the -natives said these scorpions were quite common, -and that people have to be careful when they handle -dry sticks of wood, for these poisonous creatures -delight to live under the dry bark, or between the -crevices.</p> - -<p>A nice country this to live in! thought I, after killing -a snake and a scorpion the same day!</p> - -<p>So when I lay down on my pillow, which was merely -a piece of wood, I looked up to see if there was any -scorpions upon it. I did not see any; but, during the -night, I awoke suddenly and started up. I thought I<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_18" id="Page_18">[18]</a></span> -felt hundreds of them creeping over me, and that one -had just stung me, and caused me to wake up. The -sweat covered my body. I looked around and saw -nothing but sleeping people. There was no scorpion -to be found. I must have been dreaming.</p> - -<p>Not far from our camp was a beautiful little prairie. -I had seen, during my rambles there, several footprints -of wild buffaloes; so I immediately told Andèké we -must go in chase of them. Andèké, the son of the -king, was a very nice fellow, and was, besides, a good -hunter—just the very man I wanted.</p> - -<p>So we went towards the little prairie, and lay -hidden on the borders of it, among the trees. By-and-by -I spied a huge bull, who was perfectly unaware of -my presence, for the wind blew from him to me; had -the wind blown the other way, the animal would have -scented me and made off. As it was, he came slowly -towards me. I raised my gun and fired. My bullet -struck a creeper, on its way, and glanced aside, so I -only wounded the beast. Turning fiercely, he rushed -at me in a furious manner, with his head down. I was -scared; for I was, at that time, but a young hunter; I -got ready to run, though I had a second barrel in -reserve. I thought the infuriated bull was too powerful -for me, he looked so big. Just as I was about to make -my escape, I found my foot entangled and hopelessly -caught in a tough and thorny creeper. The bull was -dashing towards me with head down and eyes -inflamed, tearing down brushwood and creepers, which -barred his progress. Turning to meet the enemy, I -felt my nerves suddenly grow firm as a rock. If I -missed the bull all would be over with me. He would -gore me to death. I took time to aim carefully, and -then fired at his head. He gave one loud, hoarse -bellow, and tumbled almost at my feet. In the meantime, -Andèké was coming to the rescue.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_19" id="Page_19">[19]</a></span></p> - -<p>I must say I felt very nervous after all was over. -But being but a lad, I thought I had done pretty well. -It was the first direct attack a wild beast had ever -made upon me. I found afterwards, that the bulls are -generally very dangerous when wounded.</p> - -<p>Now I must tell you how this beast looked. He was -one of the wild buffaloes frequently to be met with in -this part of Africa. During the greater part of the -day they hide in the forest. When much hunted they -become very shy. They are generally found in herds of -from ten to twenty-five, though I have found them -sometimes in much greater number.</p> - -<p>This animal (<i>Bos brachicheros</i>) is called by some of -the natives "niaré." It is of the size of our cattle. -It is covered with thin red hair, which is much darker -in the bull than in the cow. The hoofs are long and -sharp; the ears are fringed with most beautiful silky -hair; the horns are very handsome, and bend backward -in a graceful curve. In shape, the buffalo looks -like something between an antelope and a common -cow; and, when seen afar off, you might think these -wild buffaloes were a herd of cattle at home.</p> - -<p>How glad the people were when Andèké and I -brought the news that we had killed a bull! There -was great rejoicing. But I was tired and remained -in the camp; while they went with knives and -swords to cut the buffalo to pieces, and bring in the -flesh.</p> - -<p>What a fine place it was for hunting! The animals -seemed to come down from the mountains beyond, -and remain in the flat woody country along the -seashore.</p> - -<p>There were a great many wild boars. You know we -all wanted one of these. So one night Andèké and I -agreed to go and lie in wait for them on the prairie. -In order to look like Andèké, I blackened my face and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_20" id="Page_20">[20]</a></span> -hands with charcoal, so that in the night the -colour of my face could not be distinguished.</p> - -<p>We started from the camp before dark, and reached -the prairie before night. I stationed myself behind a -large ant-hill not far from the open space. There I -lay; one hour passed—two hours—three hours, and -still neither wild boar nor buffaloes. I looked at -Andèké. He was fast asleep, at the foot of another -ant-hill close by. Once I saw a whole herd of gazelles -pass by; but they were too far from me. Occasionally -a grunt or the cracking of a twig, told me that a -wild boar was not far off. At last everything became -silent, and I fell asleep unconsciously.</p> - -<p>Suddenly I was awakened by an unearthly roar—the -yell of a wild beast.</p> - -<p>I rubbed my eyes in a hurry—what could be the -matter?</p> - -<p>I looked round me, and saw nothing. The woods -were still resounding with the cry that had startled me. -Then I heard a great crash in the forest, made by some -heavy animal running away. Then I saw emerge from -the forest a wild bull, on whose neck crouched an -immense leopard. The poor buffalo reared, tossed, -roared and bellowed; but in vain. The leopard's -enormous claws were firmly fixed in his victim's body, -while his teeth were sunk deeply in the bull's neck. The -leopard gave an awful roar, which seemed to make the -earth shake. Then both buffalo and leopard disappeared -in the forest, and the roars, and the -crashing of the trees, soon ceased. All became silent -again.</p> - -<p>I had fired at the leopard, but it was too far off. We -stayed a week here, and I enjoyed myself very much -in the woods. I collected birds and butterflies, killed -a few nice little quadrupeds, and then we returned to -the seashore village. There the fever laid me low on<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_21" id="Page_21">[21]</a></span> -my bed of sickness. How wretched I felt! I had -never had the fever before. For a few days my head -was burning hot. When I got better, and looked at -myself in my little looking-glass I could not recognise -myself; I had not a particle of colour left in my -cheeks and I looked as yellow and pale as a lemon. I -got frightened. This fever was the forerunner of what -I had to expect in these equatorial regions.</p> - -<div class="figcenter"><img src="images/illo6.png" width="175" -height="95" alt="" title="" /></div> -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_22" id="Page_22"></a> -<a name="Page_23" id="Page_23"></a></span></p> - -<div class="figcenter6"><a name="Leopard"><img src="images/leop.png" width="550" -height="515" alt="" title="" /></a> -<div class="caption">ENTICING THE LEOPARD.</div></div> - - - -<h2 id="IV">CHAPTER IV.</h2> - - -<p class="i2 center">A VILLAGE ON THE SEASHORE—LYING IN WAIT FOR A -LEOPARD.</p> - - -<p class="p2">On the promontory called Cape St. John, about a -degree north of the Equator stood a Mbinga -village, whose chief was called Imonga. This -was, I think, in the year 1852. The country around -was very wild. The village stood on the top of a -high hill which ran out into the sea, and formed the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_24" id="Page_24">[24]</a></span> -cape itself. The waves there beat with great violence -against a rock of the tertiary formation. It was a -grand sight to see those angry billows white with foam -dashing against the shore. You could see that they -were wearing away the rock. To land there safely was -very difficult. There were only two or three places -where between the rocks a canoe could reach the shore. -The people were as wild as the country round them, -and very warlike. They were great fishermen, and -many of them spent their whole time fishing in their -little canoes. Game being very scarce, there were but -few hunters.</p> - -<p>Imonga, the chief, had a hideous large scar on his -face, which showed at once that he was a fighting man. -Not a few of his men showed signs of wounds which -they had received in battle. Many of these fights or -quarrels took place in canoes on the water, among -themselves, or with people of other villages.</p> - -<p>I do not know why, but Imonga was very fond of -me, and so also were his people. But one thing -revolted me. I found that several of Imonga's wives -had the first joint of their little finger cut off. Imonga -did this to make them mind him; for he wanted his -wives to obey him implicitly.</p> - -<p>The woods around the village were full of leopards. -They were the dread of the people, for they were constantly -carrying off some one. At night, they would -come into the villages on their errands of blood, while -the villagers were asleep. There was not a dog nor a -goat left; and within two months three people had -been eaten by them; the very places could be seen in -the huts where the leopards had entered. They would -tear up the thin thatched palm leaves of the roofs, and -having seized their victims, they would go back through -the hole with a tremendous leap, and with the man in -their jaws, and run off into the forest.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_25" id="Page_25">[25]</a></span></p> - -<p>The last man taken uttered a piercing cry of -anguish, which awoke all the villagers. They at once -arose and came to the rescue, but it was too late. They -only found traces of blood as they proceeded. The -leopard had gone far into the woods, and there -devoured his victim. Of course there was tremendous -excitement, and they went into the forest in search of -the leopard; but he could never be found. There -were so many of these savage beasts that they even -walked along the beach, not satisfied with the woods -alone; and when the tide was low, during the night, -the footprints of their large paws could be seen -distinctly marked on the sand. After ten or eleven -o'clock at night, no native could be seen on the seashore -without torches.</p> - -<p>During the day the leopard hides himself either in -the hollow of some one of the gigantic trees, with -which these forests abound, or sleeps quietly on some -branch, waiting for the approach of night. He seldom -goes out before one o'clock in the morning, unless -pressed by hunger, and about four o'clock he goes back -to his lair.</p> - -<p>I was now getting accustomed to face danger. -Killing the buffalo that attacked me had given me -confidence.</p> - -<p>To kill a leopard must be my next exploit.</p> - -<p>I selected a spot very near the sands of the sea, -where I remarked the leopards used to come every -night, when the tide was low. I chose a day when -the moon began to rise at midnight, so that it might -not be so dark that I could not take a good aim at the -leopard, and see what was going on.</p> - -<p>I then began to build a kind of pen or fortress; and -I can assure you I worked very hard at it. Every day -I went into the forest and cut branches of trees, with -which I made a strong palisade. Every stick was<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_26" id="Page_26">[26]</a></span> -about six feet high, and was put in the ground about -a foot deep. These posts were fastened together with -strong creepers. My little fortress, for so I must call -it, was about five feet square. This would never -answer; for the leopard might leap inside and take -hold of me. So with the help of some strong branches -all tied strongly together I built a roof. Then I -made loopholes on all sides for my guns, so that -I might fire at the beast whenever he came in -sight.</p> - -<p>I was glad when I had finished, for I felt very tired. -My axe was not sharp, and it had required several -days to complete my work.</p> - -<p>One clear starlight night, at about nine o'clock, I -went and shut myself up in my fortress. I had taken -a goat with me, which I tied a few yards from my -place of concealment. It was quite dark. After I had -tied the goat, I went back and shut myself very -securely inside my stronghold.</p> - -<p>I waited and waited, but no leopard came. The goat -cried all the time. It was so dark that even if the -leopard had come I could not have seen it.</p> - -<p>The moon rose by one o'clock. It was in its last -quarter; and very strange and fantastic it made -everything look. There were the shadows of the tall -trees thrown upon the white sand of the beach, while -in the forest the gloom was somewhat greater. The -sea came rolling on the beach in gentle waves, which, -as they broke, sent up thousands of bright, phosphorescent -flashes. There was a dead silence everywhere, -except when the goat cried, or some wild beast made -the forest resound with its dismal howl. The wind -whispered gently, mournfully through the woods.</p> - -<p>I could not account for it, but now and then a cold -shudder ran through me. I was quite alone, for the -negro I had taken with me was fast asleep.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_27" id="Page_27">[27]</a></span></p> - -<p>One o'clock. No leopard. I looked in vain all round -me: I could see nothing.</p> - -<p>Two o'clock. Nothing yet.</p> - -<p>Suddenly, I spied something a long way off on the -beach, so far that I could not make out what it was. It -came slowly towards me. What could it be? I asked -myself. Soon I recognised a big spotted leopard. The -goat, which had seen it, began to cry more loudly. The -big beast came nearer and nearer. He began to crouch. -Then he lay flat on the ground. How his eyes glittered! -They looked like two pieces of bright, burning -charcoal.</p> - -<p>My heart beat. The first thought that came to me -was—Is my house strong enough to resist his attack, -in case I should wound him, or if, perchance, he should -prefer me to the goat, and make an onslaught upon -it?</p> - -<p>The savage beast crawled nearer, and again crouched -down on the ground. I took my gun; and, just as I -was getting ready to fire, he made an immense leap, -and bounded upon the goat. I fired. I do not know -how, but, in the twinkling of an eye, the goat was -seized, and both leopard and goat disappeared in the -dark forest. I fired again, but with no better success. -In the morning, I saw nothing but the traces of the -poor goat's blood.</p> - -<p>I did not return to the village till morning; for I -dared not go outside of my palisade that night. So, the -goat being gone, I concluded I had better light a fire, -to warm myself, and drive away the mosquitoes. I -always carried a box of matches with me. I struck one, -and soon succeeded in making a blaze with the little -firewood I had collected.</p> - -<p>Strange enough I must have looked, inside of -my cage, while the fire sent its glimmering light -around.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_28" id="Page_28">[28]</a></span></p> - -<p>Finally, seeing that everything was well secured, I -went to sleep, taking good care to put myself in the -middle of the fort, so that if, by any chance, a leopard -came, he could not get hold of me with his paw. When -I awoke it was broad daylight, and I immediately -started for Imonga's village.</p> - -<div class="figcenter"><img src="images/illo7.png" width="175" -height="101" alt="" title="" /></div> -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_29" id="Page_29"></a></span></p> - -<div class="figcenter6"><a name="Birds"><img src="images/birds.png" width="550" -height="422" alt="" title="" /></a> -<div class="caption">FLOCKS OF BIRDS.</div></div> - - -<h2 id="V">CHAPTER V.</h2> - -<p class="i2 center">THE BAY OF CORISCO—THE MANGROVE TREES—THE -WONDERFUL FLOCKS OF BIRDS—WHAT I FOUND IN THE -POUCH OF A PELICAN—HOW AN OLD KING IS BURIED, -AND THE NEW KING CROWNED.</p> - - -<p class="p2">Now that you have followed me in the Benito -country, and to Cape St. John, I will take -you a little further down the coast to the -Bay of Corisco. There, two rivers empty their waters -into the sea. One of them is called the Muni river, -and the other the Monda.</p> - -<p>I will leave the Muni, for we shall have to come to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_30" id="Page_30">[30]</a></span> -it by-and-by, and will speak to you only of the Monda. -It is throughout a low-banked swampy stream. The -banks are covered with mangrove trees. Every limb -or branch that grows in the water is covered with -oysters—real oysters too; so that at low tide you can -see, in some places for a long distance, immense beds -of this kind of shell-fish.</p> - -<p>The mangroves, on which the oysters grow so -curiously, are very extraordinary trees. The main -trunk, or parent tree, grows to an immense size. From -a single tree a whole forest will grow up in time, for -the branches send down shoots into the ground, which -in their turn take root and become trees; so that, -generally, almost the whole of the mangrove forest -may be said to be knitted together.</p> - -<p>The inhabitants of the country at the mouth of the -river are called Shekiani. They are a very warlike -tribe, and many of them are armed with guns, which -they obtain from the vessels that come here from time -to time to buy bar wood, ivory, or india-rubber.</p> - -<p>I arrived at the mouth of the river, in a small canoe, -manned by several Mbinga men. The canoe was made -of the trunk of a single tree, and had a mat for a sail. -At the mouth of the river, high above the swamps that -surround its banks, are two hills. On the top of one -of these hills, a village was situated. There I stayed. -It was a village of insignificant size.</p> - -<p>At low tide, the high muddy banks of the river are -exposed. So many birds as are there, I never saw elsewhere: -they are to be seen in countless thousands. -The shore, the mud islands, and the water were so -covered with them, that it was really a sight worth -seeing. Here and there flocks of pelicans swam -majestically along, keeping at a good distance from my -canoe. You would probably wish to know what these -pelicans are like. I will tell you. They are large<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_31" id="Page_31">[31]</a></span> -birds, and have an enormous bill, under which is a large -pouch, capable of containing several pounds of fish. -They have webbed feet, and their feathers are white. -I wish you could see them looking out for their prey. -How slyly they pry in the water for the fish they are -in search of, and how quickly they pounce upon them -unawares with their powerful beak! In an instant the -fish are killed and stored away in the pouch; and when -this is full, then Master Pelican begins to eat. The -fish are put in the pouch as if it were a storehouse.</p> - -<p>Now and then a string of flamingoes go stretching -along the muddy shore, looking for all the world like a -line of fire. Most beautiful are these flamingoes! and -very singular they appear when not on the wing, but -standing still on their long red legs! They are very -wild, however, and difficult of approach.</p> - -<p>Wherever the mud peeped out of the water, there -were herons, cranes, gulls of various kinds. Scattered -everywhere were seen those beautiful white birds -(<i>Egretta flavirostris</i>). Some of the shore trees were -covered with them, looking like snow in the distance.</p> - -<p>Of course I wished to kill some of these birds. So I -took a tiny little canoe, and covered it with branches -of trees, that the birds might think it was a tree -coming down the stream, as is often the case. Then I -took a Shekiani with me to paddle, and, putting two -guns in the canoe, we made for the pelicans. The sly -birds seemed to suspect something, and did not give -me a chance to approach them for a long time. But, -as you know, in order to succeed in anything, people -must have patience and perseverance. So, after -chasing many, I finally succeeded in approaching one. -He was just in the act of swallowing a big fish, when—bang!—I -fired, and wounded him so that he could not -fly. His wing had been broken by my shot. At the -noise made by firing my gun, the birds flew away by<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_32" id="Page_32">[32]</a></span> -thousands. I made for Master Pelican. The chase -became exciting; but at last we succeeded in coming -near him. But how to get hold of him was now the -question. His wing only was broken; and, with his great -beak, he might perhaps be able to cut one of my -fingers right off. I was afraid to spoil his feathers if I -fired again. He became exhausted, and with one of -the paddles I gave him a tremendous blow on the head, -which stunned him. Another blow finished him, and -we lifted him into the canoe.</p> - -<p>I cannot tell you how pleased I was. His pouch was -full of fish. They were so fresh that I resolved to -make a meal out of them.</p> - -<p>I had hardly put the bird at the bottom of the canoe, -when there came flying towards me a flock of at least -two hundred flamingoes. In a moment I had my gun -in readiness. Would they come near enough for me to -get a shot at them? I watched them anxiously. Yes! -Now they are near enough; and—bang! bang!—I -fired the two barrels right into the middle of the flock, -and two beautiful flamingoes fell into the water. -Quickly we paddled towards them. In order to go -faster I took a paddle also, and worked away as well as -I could. They were dead. Both had received shots -in the head.</p> - -<p>We made for the shore. When I opened the pouch -of the pelican—just think of it!—I found a dozen -large fishes inside! They were quite fresh; and I am -sure they had not been caught more than half an hour. -You will agree with me that the pelican makes quick -work when he goes a-fishing.</p> - -<p>In the evening I felt so tired that I went straight to -bed; and I slept so soundly, that if the Shekianis had -chosen, they could have murdered me without my even -opening my eyes.</p> - -<p>This village had a new king; and I wondered if his<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_33" id="Page_33">[33]</a></span> -majesty were made king in the same fashion as the -sovereign of the Mpongwe tribe; a tribe of negroes -among whom I have resided, and I will tell you how -their king was made.</p> - -<p>Old King Glass died. He had been long ailing, but -clung to life with determined tenacity. He was a disagreeable -old heathen; but in his last days he became -very devout—after his fashion. His idol was always -freshly painted, and brightly decorated; his fetich, or -"monda," was the best cared for fetich in Africa, and -every few days some great doctors were brought down -from the interior, and paid a large fee for advising the -old king. He was afraid of witchcraft: he thought everybody -wanted to put him out of the way by bewitching -him. So the business of the doctors was to keep off -the witches, and assure his majesty that he would live -a long time. This assurance pleased him wonderfully, -and he paid his doctors well.</p> - -<p>The tribe had got tired of their king. They thought, -indeed, that he was himself a most potent and evil-disposed -wizard; and, though the matter was not -openly talked about there were very few natives indeed -who would pass his house after night, and none who -could be tempted inside, by any slighter provocation -than an irresistible glass of rum. In fact, if he had -not been a great king, he would probably have been -killed.</p> - -<p>When he got sick at last, everybody seemed very -sorry; but several of my friends told me in confidence, -that the whole town hoped he would die; and die he -did. I was awakened one morning, by those mournful -cries and wails with which the African oftener covers -a sham sorrow than expresses a real grief. All the -women of the village seemed to be dissolved in tears. -It is a most singular thing to see how readily the -women of Africa can supply tears on the slightest<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_34" id="Page_34">[34]</a></span> -occasion, or for no occasion at all. They will cry -together, at certain times of the day, on mourning -occasions, when a few minutes before they were laughing. -They need no pain or real grief to excite their -tears. They can, apparently, weep at will.</p> - -<p>The mourning and wailing on this occasion lasted six -days. On the second day the old king was secretly -buried, by a few of the most trusty men of the tribe, -very early in the morning, before others were up; or -perhaps at night. Some said he had been buried at -night, while others said he had been buried in the -morning, thus showing that they did not know. This -custom arises from a belief that the other tribes would -much like to get the head of the king, in order that -with his brains they might make a powerful fetich.</p> - -<p>During the days of mourning, the old men of the -village busied themselves in choosing a new king. -This, also, is a secret operation, and the result is not -communicated to the people generally till the seventh -day.</p> - -<p>It happened that Njogoni (fowl), a good friend of -mine, was elected. I do not know that Njogoni had -the slightest suspicion of his elevation. At any rate, -he shammed ignorance very well.</p> - -<p>While he was walking on the shore, on the morning -of the seventh day—probably some one had told him to -go—he was suddenly set upon by the entire populace, -who proceeded with a ceremony which is preliminary -to the crowning. In a dense crowd they surrounded -him, and then began to heap upon him every -manner of abuse that the worst of mobs could imagine. -Some spat in his face. Some beat him with their -fists, not very hard of course. Some kicked him. -Others threw dirty things at him. Those unlucky -cues who stood on the outside and could only -reach the poor fellow with their voices, assiduously<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_35" id="Page_35">[35]</a></span> -cursed him, and also his father, and especially his -mother, as well as his sisters and brothers, and all -his ancestors to the remotest generation. A stranger -would not have given a farthing for the life of him -who was presently to be crowned.</p> - -<p>Amid the noise and struggle, I caught the words -which explained all to me; for every few minutes some -fellow, administering a comparatively severe blow or -kick, would shout out, "You are not our king yet; for -a little while we will do what we please with you. By-and-by -we shall have to do your will."</p> - -<p>Njogoni bore himself like a man, and a prospective -king, and took all this abuse with a smiling face. -When it had lasted about half an hour, they took him -to the house of the old king. Here he was seated, -and became again for a little while the victim of his -people's curses and ill-usage.</p> - -<p>Suddenly all became silent, and the elders of the -people rose, and said solemnly (the people repeating -after them), "Now we choose you for our king; we -engage to listen to you, and to obey you."</p> - -<p>Then there was silence; and presently the silk hat, -of "stove-pipe" fashion, which is the emblem of -royalty among the Mpongwe and several other tribes, -was brought in, and placed on Njogoni's head. He -was then dressed in a red gown, and received the -greatest marks of respect from all those who had just -now abused him.</p> - -<p>Then followed six days of festival, during which the -poor king, who had taken the name of his predecessor, was -obliged to receive his subjects in his own house, and was -not allowed to stir out. The whole time was occupied -in indescribable gorging of food, and drinking of bad -rum and palm wine. It was a scene of beastly gluttony -and drunkenness and uproarious confusion. Strangers -came from the surrounding villages. Everything to eat<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_36" id="Page_36">[36]</a></span> -and drink was furnished freely, and all comers were -welcome.</p> - -<p>Old King Glass, for whom during six days no end of -tears had been shed, was now forgotten; and <i>new</i> King -Glass, poor fellow, was sick with exhaustion.</p> - -<p>Finally, the rum and palm wine were drank up, the -food was eaten, the allotted days of rejoicing had -expired, and the people went back to their homes.</p> - -<div class="figcenter"><img src="images/illo8.png" width="175" -height="120" alt="" title="" /></div> -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_37" id="Page_37"></a></span></p> - -<div class="figcenter6"><a name="Mbousha"><img src="images/mbou.png" width="550" -height="421" alt="" title="" /></a> -<div class="caption">SCENE WITH THE MBOUSHA.</div></div> - - -<h2 id="VI">CHAPTER VI.</h2> - - -<p class="i2 center">AN OLD MAN KILLED FOR WITCHCRAFT—MY JOURNEY -TO THE COUNTRY OF THE CANNIBALS—STARTING ON -THE ROUTE.</p> - - -<p class="p2">In the year 1856 I was again in the equatorial -regions. I was in the great forest, on my -way to the cannibal country; yes, the country -where the people eat one another. It was a long -way off, and how was I to get there through the -dense jungle? How was I to find my way in that vast<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_38" id="Page_38">[38]</a></span> -African forest? These were the thoughts that troubled -me when I was in the village of Dayoko.</p> - -<p>The village of Dayoko lies not far from the banks of -the Ntambounay river, and is surrounded by beautiful -groves of plantain trees.</p> - -<p>Dayoko is one of the chiefs of the Mbousha tribe, -and a wild and savage set of people they are I can tell -you. But Dayoko became my friend, and said he -would spare me a few men to take me part of the -way.</p> - -<p>These Mbousha people look very much like the -Shekiani I have already described. They are superstitious -and cruel, and believe in witchcraft. I stayed -among them only a few days. I will now tell you what -I saw there.</p> - -<p>In a hut I found a very old man. His wool (hair) -was white as snow, his face was wrinkled, and his limbs -were shrunken. His hands were tied behind him, and -his feet were placed in a rude kind of stocks. Several -negroes, armed to the teeth, stood guard over him, and -now and then insulted him by angry words and blows, -to which he submitted in silence. What do you suppose -all this meant?</p> - -<p>This old man was to be killed for witchcraft!</p> - -<p>A truly horrible delusion this witchcraft is!</p> - -<p>I went to Dayoko, the chief, to try to save the old -man's life, but I saw it was in vain.</p> - -<p>During the whole night I could hear singing all over -the town as well as a great uproar. Evidently -they were preparing for the sacrifice of the old -man.</p> - -<p>Early in the morning the people gathered together -with the fetich-man. His blood-shot eyes glared in -savage excitement, as he went around from man to -man. In his hands he held a bundle of herbs with -which he sprinkled, three times, those to whom he<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_39" id="Page_39">[39]</a></span> -spoke. Meantime, there was a man on the top of a -high tree close by, who shouted, from time to time, -"Jocou! Jocou!" at the same time shaking the trees.</p> - -<p>"<i>Jocou</i>" means "devil" among the Mbousha; and -the business of this man was to scare the evil spirit, -and keep it away.</p> - -<p>At last they all declared that the old man was a most -potent wizard, that he had killed many people by -sorcery, and that he must be killed.</p> - -<p>You would like to know, I dare say, what these -Africans mean by a wizard, or a witch? They -believe that people have, within themselves, the power -of killing anyone who displeases them. They believe -that no one dies unless some one has bewitched him. -Have you ever heard of such a horrible superstition? -Hence those who are condemned for witchcraft are -sometimes subjected to a very painful death; they are -burnt by slow fire, and their bodies are given to the -Bashikouay ant to be devoured. I shall have something -to tell you about ants by-and-by. The poor -wretches are cut into pieces; gashes are made over -their bodies and cayenne pepper is put into the -wounds. Indeed it makes me shudder to think of it, -for I have witnessed such dreadful deaths, and seen -many of the mutilated corpses.</p> - -<p>After I witnessed the ceremony, the people scattered, -and I went into my hut, for I was not well. After a -while I thought I saw a man pass my door, almost -like a flash, and after him rushed a horde of silent but -infuriated men towards the river. In a little while, I -heard sharp, piercing cries, as of a man in great agony, -and then all became still as death.</p> - -<p>I came out, and going towards the river was met by -the crowd returning, every man armed, with axe, spear, -knife or cutlass; and these weapons, as well as their own -hands, and arms, and bodies were sprinkled with blood.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_40" id="Page_40">[40]</a></span></p> - -<p>They had killed the poor old man they called a -wizard, hacked him to pieces, and finished by splitting -open his skull, and scattering the brains into the water. -Then they returned. At night these blood-thirsty -men seemed to be as gentle as lambs, and as cheerful -as if nothing had happened.</p> - -<p>Ought we not to be thankful that we were born in a -civilized country?</p> - -<p>Now came the "grand palaver" over my departure. -I called Dayoko and all the elders of the village -together. When they had all assembled, I told them -I must go into the Fan country inhabited by the -cannibals.</p> - -<p>Dayoko said I should be murdered by the cannibals, -and eaten up, and tried to dissuade me from -going.</p> - -<p>Finally I said that go I would.</p> - -<p>So it was determined that I should go under -Dayoko's protection. Accordingly he gave me two of -his sons to accompany me, and ordered several men to -carry my chests, guns, powder, bullets, and shot. -They were to take me to one of Dayoko's fathers-in-law, -a Mbondemo chief who lived in the -mountains.</p> - -<p>I was going farther and farther from the sea; if the -savages were to leave me and run away in the forest, -what would become of me?</p> - -<p>We started in canoes, ascended the Muni river, and -then paddled up the river called the Ntambounay (you -must not mind these hard names, they are not of my -choice. I must call things by the names the natives -give them).</p> - -<p>After paddling all day, towards sunset we all felt -very tired; for we had gone a long way up the river, -and reached a Shekiani village. I was quite astonished -to meet Shekiani here, but so it happened.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_41" id="Page_41">[41]</a></span></p> - -<p>I shall always remember this Shekiani village, for -I thought I should be murdered and plundered there. -After we had landed in the village, I was told at once, -that I could not go any further, for the road belonged -to them. I must pay a tribute of six shirts similar to -those I wore, three great-coats, beads, etc., etc. This -would have entirely ruined me.</p> - -<p>I could not sleep at all. Through the whole night a -crowd surrounded my hut, talking, shouting, and singing -in the greatest excitement. My guns and revolvers -were all loaded and I made up my mind not to be -killed without fighting desperately. If I was to die, -I resolved at all events to die like a brave man. All my -party were in my hut except Dayoko's two sons, who -had gone to talk with the Shekiani chief. The Shekiani -chief was a friend of Dayoko, and Dayoko's sons -told him I was their father's stranger-friend.</p> - -<p>At last, things became more quiet; and, towards -morning, the people were still or asleep.</p> - -<p>We left the hut. All was still peaceful. My men -said that Dayoko's sons had a big fetich to avert -war.</p> - -<p>I gave a present to the Shekiani chief, and off we -started. We left our large canoes and took smaller -ones; for we were to go through a very small -stream.</p> - -<p>As we ascended the beautiful river, we could see the -lofty mountains of the interior. A great many islands -studded the stream. From the trees on the banks, the -monkeys looked down at us with astonishment. What -curious creatures they were, with their black faces peeping -out through the dark foliage, and looking as if they -were making grimaces at us. By-and-by we left the -river and made our way along the creeks or through -the woods towards the Mbondemo village. Now and -then we walked freely through the wide openings<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_42" id="Page_42">[42]</a></span> -which the elephants had made. The rushing of a herd -of elephants effects quite a clearing in the forest. On -we went, till finally we came to a place where a great -number of large trees had been prostrated. Wherever -we looked, trees were lying on the ground, many of -them of enormous size. As I looked I heard, not far -off, a tremendous crash—a most awful noise. I could -not conjecture what was the matter. It turned out -that a tree had come down; and as it fell, being a huge -one, it crushed a dozen others around it, and each as -it broke gave a great crash, so that the combined effect -was awful to hear.</p> - -<p>We had to go through these fallen trees; and what -tough work it was! I never had seen anything like it. -Now we had to climb on a fallen tree and follow its -trunk; then we had to come down, and were entangled -in its branches or in those of other trees. At other -times we had to creep under them. I was continually -afraid that my gun would be fired off by some creepers -or boughs getting hold of the trigger.</p> - -<p>At last, when my patience was entirely gone, and my -few clothes literally hanging in ribbons about me, my -legs sadly wounded, and my face and hands scratched, -we arrived at the camp of the Mbondemos, situated -almost at the foot of the mountain.</p> - -<p>These mountains were covered with an immense -forest; and so thick were the trees that no open view -could be obtained in any direction. The mountains -ended somewhere in the interior, no one knew where, -but this they knew, that it was near the home of the -Fans, a cannibal tribe, and that elephants were plentiful, -and gorillas were occasionally seen there. This -encampment of the Mbondemos was called an Olako. -There was not a house in the camp, and it was a -romantic scene to look at. Scattered under huge trees, -on the edge of the woods, were leafy shelters, opening<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_43" id="Page_43">[43]</a></span> -towards the forest. Under these the people lived. A -few sticks put close together formed their beds. They -contrived to sleep upon them, and I did the same. I -assure you that they were hard enough, and reminded -me that a mattress was a very good thing. Every -family had its fire prepared beside the beds; and -around these fires in the evening they clustered, men, -women, and children.</p> - -<p>The chief of this Mbondemo encampment was called -Mbéné, and I liked him very much. He was very kind -to me, and always tried to furnish me with food. There -was scarcity of provisions, at the time, in the camp of -the Mbondemos. There were no plantain and cassada -fields near, and often I had to go without breakfast or -dinner. The people lived chiefly on the nuts of the -forest, and at that season of the year these were very -scarce.</p> - -<p>Poor Mbéné said they had very little to eat, but -would give me what they could. I had carried with -me a few little crackers, which I found very precious, -more precious than gold, and which I reserved for -time of sickness; but one by one they disappeared. -I looked at them every time I took one; but I -felt so hungry that I could not refrain from eating -them.</p> - -<p>Have you known what hunger is—real craving -hunger? I can assure you it is a dreadful feeling.</p> - -<p>During that time of the year, this people had half -the time nothing to eat but the nut of a kind -of palm.</p> - -<p>This nut was so bitter I could scarcely eat it. It is -shaped like an egg, with rounded ends. To prepare it -for eating, it is divested of its husk, and soaked in -water for twenty-four hours, when it loses part of its -exceedingly bitter taste, and becomes tolerably palatable, -that is, to a starving man. Sometimes hunger will<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_44" id="Page_44">[44]</a></span> -make them eat the nut without soaking it. I have -done so myself, when lost in the forest. It is dreadfully -disagreeable.</p> - -<p>Now and then, the women succeeded in getting a few -little fish in the streams, and gave me some. I could -bear a good deal, for I had firmly resolved to go into -the cannibal country.</p> - -<p>These Mbondemos are continually moving their -villages. Mbéné has moved his village three times -within a few years. I asked him why he made these -frequent changes. He said he moved the first time -because a man had died, and the place was "not good" -after that event. The second time he was forced to -move because they had cut down all the palm trees, -and would get no more mimbo (palm wine), a beverage -of which they are excessively fond. They tap the palm, -just as the maple tree is tapped in America, only they -tap the tree at the top. This palm wine has somewhat -of a milky colour; and, when drunk in great -quantity, it intoxicates. The palm trees are very -plentiful all over this part of the country, and it seems -easier for them to move than to take care of the trees -surrounding their settlements, useful as they are to -them; for they furnish not only the wine they love, -but the bitter nut I mentioned before, which often -keeps them from actual starvation. When the tree is -cut down they get what we call the palm cabbage -which grows at the top. When cooked this palm -cabbage is very good.</p> - -<p>A country which has plenty of palm trees, plenty -of game, a good river or rivulet, and plenty of -fish, is the country for a Mbondemo settler or -squatter.</p> - -<p>In these forests there is a vine or creeper which I -might call the traveller's vine. If thirsty you may cut -it, and within less than a minute a tumblerful of water<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_45" id="Page_45">[45]</a></span> -will come out of it. This vine hangs about in the -forest, and seemed to me to grow without leaves. What -a capital thing it would be if water were not abundant -in this country! The water procured from it has -hardly any taste, and is perfectly pure and limpid.</p> - -<p>Being unable to endure the continual hunger, I -called Mbéné, and told him that his place had no food -to give, and he must take me to a country where -there was something to eat, and which would be on -my way to the Fan country. Good Mbéné said, -"Spirit, I will try the best I can to take you where -you want to go. I will send some of my people with -you."</p> - -<p>In the meantime, Dayoko's people had all returned -to their village. These forests had no game. I spent -hour after hour scouring the forest, but I could see -nothing, except birds, some of which were extremely -pretty. I am afraid that if I had succeeded in killing -a snake I should have eaten it, as I felt desperately -hungry. I did not like the bitter nuts; so it was -agreed that Mbéné's brother Mcomo, together with -several of his people, should accompany me as far as the -country of the Fan tribe. I could hardly believe such -good news to be true.</p> - -<p>Mbéné's wife always cooked my food. She was a -dear good old woman, and I gave her a fine necklace of -beads when I left. She was delighted with my present. -They were big white porcelain beads of the size of -a pigeon's egg. One day Mbéné succeeded in getting -a fowl for me. His wife cooked it; she made soup, -and put plenty of cayenne pepper into it. I had also -some plantain. How I enjoyed this meal! the more so -that it was probably the last I should get for a good -many days, unless we were unusually lucky, and should -kill some antelopes or elephants on our road to the Fan -country.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_46" id="Page_46">[46]</a></span></p> - -<p>Elephant meat is execrable, as you would say on -tasting it. But as you may not have the chance I will -tell you by-and-by how it tastes.</p> - -<p>As much food as possible was collected for our journey, -and at last everything was ready.</p> - -<div class="figcenter"><img src="images/illo1.png" width="200" -height="138" alt="" title="" /></div> -<hr class="chap" /> - -<div class="figcenter6"><a name="Snake"><img src="images/snake.png" width="600" -height="373" alt="" title="" /></a> -<div class="caption"> -KILLING THE SNAKE.<br /> -<a href="#VII">CHAP. VII.</a> -</div></div> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_47" id="Page_47"></a></span></p> - - -<div class="figcenter6"><img src="images/illo9.png" width="600" -height="131" alt="" title="" /></div> - -<h2 id="VII">CHAPTER VII.</h2> - - -<p class="i2 center">OUR JOURNEY THROUGH THE WILDERNESS CONTINUED—A -REBELLION IN CAMP—NOTHING TO EAT—I SHOOT A -FISH AND MISS AN ELEPHANT—I KILL A BIG SNAKE, -AND THE OTHERS EAT HIM—MY FIRST SIGHT OF -GORILLAS.</p> - - -<p class="p2">Before we renewed our journey the natives -had done all they could to gather provisions; -but the result was poor enough. By going -to distant villages they had succeeded in getting -a few bunches of plantain.</p> - -<p>Mcomo, Mbéné's brother, backed out. He said he -was not going into the cannibal country to be eaten up. -But I must tell you that Mbéné had some friends -among the cannibals. And he sent with me two of -his sons called Miengai and Makinda, together with -twelve good hunters, and six women who were the -wives of some of the men. The women carried the -provisions, etc.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_48" id="Page_48">[48]</a></span></p> - -<p>I took seventy pounds of shot and bullets, nineteen -pounds of powder, ten pounds of arsenic for preserving -the birds and animals I should kill, for I knew -I should probably succeed in getting some new -specimens.</p> - -<p>When all was arranged, when everybody had taken -leave of all his friends, for this was a very great -journey, and they came back half-a-dozen times to take -leave over again, or say something they had forgotten, -when all the shouting and quarrelling about who -should carry the smallest load was over, we at last got -away.</p> - -<p>We had left the camp of Mbéné behind us at a -distance of about five miles when we came to the banks -of a little river called the Noonday, a clear and beautiful -stream. I was ahead of the party with Miengai, and -was waiting for the others to come up before crossing. -As we stood on the banks I spied a fish swimming -along. Immediately the thought came into my mind, -"How nicely that fish would taste if I could get it -and boil it in a pot over the fire!" I fired a charge -of small shot into it; but no sooner had I pulled the -trigger than I heard a tremendous crash on the -opposite bank about six or seven yards off. Small -trees were torn down violently, and then we heard the -shrill trumpetings of a party of frightened elephants. -They were probably sleeping or standing in a dead -silence on the opposite bank in the jungle. I was sorry -I had fired, for after crossing the stream we might have -killed an elephant. Poor Miengai was terribly vexed. -"I am sure," said he, "they had big tusks of -ivory."</p> - -<p>Our party, as soon as they heard the gun, came -up in haste, and asked what was the matter. When -they heard the story they began to lament our not -killing an elephant; for then we should have had meat -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_49" id="Page_49">[49]</a></span> -enough for the whole journey; and they shouted -with one accord: "Elephant meat is so good!"</p> - -<p>This exclamation made me wonder how an elephant -steak would taste.</p> - -<p>On we went, and got fairly into the mountainous -country. The hills became steeper as we advanced. -How tired I felt; for the diet at Mbéné's camp had -not strengthened me. These Mbondemos had a great -advantage over me. They used their bare feet almost -as deftly as monkeys, and hence got their foothold -more easily than I.</p> - -<p>Miengai and I were in advance. All at once he -made me a sign to keep very still. I thought he had -discovered a herd of elephants, or seen the traces of an -enormous leopard. He cocked his gun; I cocked -mine; the other men did the same; and there we -stood in perfect silence, for at least five minutes. -Suddenly Miengai sent a "hurrah" echoing through -the forest. It was immediately answered by shouts -from many voices not very far off, but whose owners -were hidden from us by huge rocks and trees. -Miengai replied with the fierce shout of the Mbondemo -warriors, and was again answered. Thinking we were -going to have a general fight, I looked carefully after -my powder flask and my bullets, and found they were -all right. Going a little farther on, we came in sight -of the encampment of a large party, who proved to be -some of Mbéné's people just returning from a trading -expedition to the interior. Two men of this camp -offered to go with us. Their names were Ngolai and -Yeava. We consented to take them.</p> - -<p>What a journey it was! Nothing but thick woods to -struggle through, hills to climb, rivers to cross, and -nearly all the time it rained; in fact, I was wet from -morning to night. How glad I was when, in the -evening, we had made our camp, and built great fires!<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_50" id="Page_50">[50]</a></span> -For my part, I had three fires lit about my bed of -leaves; and in the evening I always hung up my -clothes to dry, so as to have them ready for the next -day.</p> - -<p>One morning my men came to tell me they were -tired, and would not go a step farther unless I gave -them more cloth.</p> - -<p>They seemed in earnest; and I began to question -myself whether they meant to plunder me or to -leave me in these mountains. To be left thus alone -would have been almost certain death. To give them -what they asked was to show them I was afraid of -them. If they knew I was afraid of them I did not -know what they might next do. So I determined to -put on a bold front. Taking my two revolvers in my -hand, I said: "I will not give you any more cloth. -I will not let you leave me, because your father -Mbéné has given you to me to accompany me to the Fan -tribe. You must therefore go with me, or" (here I -motioned with my pistols) "there will be war between -us. But," said I, "this is a very hard road, and at -the end of the journey I will give you something -more."</p> - -<p>This satisfied them, and we again resumed our -journey. Up, and up, and up we struggled, and now we -began to meet with immense boulders. Not the scream -of a bird, or the shrill cry of a monkey, broke the -stillness of the dark solitude. Nothing was heard but -the panting breaths of our party as we ascended the -hills.</p> - -<p>At last we came to an immense mountain torrent, -which rushed down the hillside with fearful force, and -was white with foam. Its course was full of huge -granite boulders, which lay about as though the Titans -had been playing at skittles in that country. Against -these the angry waters dashed as if they would carry<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_51" id="Page_51">[51]</a></span> -all before them, and, breaking, threw the milky spray -up to the very tree-tops. As I looked up the torrent -seemed to pour its foaming waters directly down upon -us.</p> - -<p>This was the head of the Ntambounay river which -I had ascended in a canoe, and on the banks of which I -came near being murdered in the Shekiani village. -What a change had taken place in it! Here a canoe -would be dashed into a hundred pieces against the -rocks.</p> - -<p>I was so thirsty and tired that I went to the river's -bank, and drank a few handfuls of the pure, clean cold -water.</p> - -<p>After resting a little while, we continued our course -till we reached the top of a very high mountain, -whence I could see all the country round. How wild -and desolate it looked! Nothing but forest and mountains -stretching away as far as the eye could reach.</p> - -<p>I was sitting under a very large tree, when, -suddenly looking up, I saw an immense serpent coiled -upon the branch of a tree just above me; and I really -could not tell whether he was not about to spring upon -me and entangle me in his huge folds. You may well -believe that I very quickly "stood from under." -I rushed out, and taking good aim with my gun, I shot -my black friend in the head. He let go his hold, -tumbled down with great force, and after writhing convulsively -for a time, he lay before me dead. He -measured thirteen feet in length, and his ugly fangs -proved that he was venomous.</p> - -<p>My men cut off the head of the snake, and divided -the body into as many pieces as there were people. -Then they lighted a fire, and roasted and ate it on -the spot. They offered me a piece; but, though very -hungry, I declined. When the snake was eaten I was -the only individual of the company that had an empty -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_52" id="Page_52">[52]</a></span> -stomach; I could not help reflecting on the disadvantage -it is sometimes to have been born and -bred in a civilized country, where snakes are not -accounted good eating.</p> - -<p>We now began to look about the ruins of the village -near which we sat. A degenerate kind of sugar-cane -was growing on the very spot where the houses had -formerly stood. I made haste to pluck some of this, -and chew it for the little sweetness it had. While -thus engaged my men perceived what instantly threw -us all into the greatest excitement. Here and there -the cane was beaten down or torn up by the roots; -and, lying about, were fragments which had evidently -been chewed. There were also footprints to be seen, -which looked almost like those of human beings. -What could this mean? My men looked at each -other in silence, and muttered, "Nguyla!" (Gorillas!).</p> - -<p>It was the first time I had seen the footprints -of these wild men of the woods, and I cannot tell you -how I felt. Here was I now, it seemed, on the point -of meeting, face to face, that monster, of whose -ferocity, strength, and cunning the natives had told -me so much, and which no white man before had -hunted. My heart beat till I feared its loud pulsations -would alarm the gorilla. I wondered how they looked. -I thought of what Hanno the Carthaginian navigator -said about the wild hairy men he had met on the West -Coast of Africa more than two thousand years ago.</p> - -<p>By the tracks it was easy to know that there must -have been several gorillas in company. We prepared -at once to follow them.</p> - -<p>The women were terrified. They thought their end -had come—that the gorilla would be soon upon them. -So, before starting in search of the monster, we left -two or three men to take care of them and reassure -them. Then the rest of us looked once more carefully<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_53" id="Page_53">[53]</a></span> -at our guns; for the gorilla gives you no time to -reload, and woe to him whom he attacks! We were -fortunately armed to the teeth.</p> - -<p>My men were remarkably silent, for they were going -on an expedition of more than usual risk; for the male -gorilla is literally the king of the forest—the king of -the equatorial regions. He and the crested lion of -Mount Atlas are the two fiercest and strongest beasts -of that continent. The lion of South Africa cannot be -compared with either for strength or courage.</p> - -<p>As we left the camp, the men and women left -behind crowded together, with fear written on their -faces. Miengai, Ngolai, and Makinda set out for the -hunt in one party; myself and Yeava formed another. -We determined to keep near each other; so that in -case of trouble, or in a great emergency, we might be at -hand to help one another. For the rest, silence and a -sure aim were the only cautions to be given.</p> - -<p>As we followed the footprints, we could easily see -that there were four or five of them, though none -appeared very large. We saw where the gorillas had -run along on all fours, which is their usual mode of -progression. We could perceive also where, from time -to time, they had seated themselves to chew the canes -they had borne off. The chase began to be very -exciting.</p> - -<p>We had agreed to return to the women and their -guards and consult about what was to be done, after we -had discovered the probable course of the gorilla; and -this was now done. To make sure of not alarming our -prey, we moved the whole party forward a little way, -to some leafy huts, built by passing traders, and which -served us for shelter and concealment. Here we -bestowed the women, whose lively fear of the terrible -gorilla arises from various stories current among the -tribes, of women having been carried off into the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_54" id="Page_54">[54]</a></span> -woods by the fierce animal. Then we prepared once -more to set out on our chase, this time hopeful to get -a shot.</p> - -<p>Looking once more to our guns, we started off. I -confess that I was never more excited in my life. For -years I had heard of the terrible roar of the gorilla, of -its vast strength, of its fierce courage when only -wounded. I knew that we were about to pit ourselves -against an animal which even the enormously large -leopards of the mountains fear, which the elephants -let alone, and which perhaps has driven away the lion -out of this territory; for the "king of beasts," so -numerous elsewhere in Africa, is not met with in the -land of the gorilla.</p> - -<p>We descended a hill, crossed a stream on a fallen -log, crept under the trees, and presently approached -some huge boulders of granite. In the stream we had -crossed we could see plainly signs that the animals had -just crossed it, for the water was still disturbed. Our -eyes wandered everywhere to get a glimpse of our -prey. Alongside of the granite blocks lay an immense -dead tree, and about this the gorillas were likely to be.</p> - -<p>Our approach was very cautious; I wish you could -have seen us. We were divided into two parties. -Makinda led one, and I the other. We were to surround -the granite block, behind which Makinda -supposed the gorillas to be hiding. With guns cocked -and ready we advanced through the dense wood, which -cast a gloom, even in midday, over the whole scene. -I looked at my men, and saw that they were even -more excited than myself.</p> - -<p>Slowly we pressed on through the dense bush, dreading -almost to breathe, for fear of alarming the beasts. -Makinda was to go to the right of the rock, while I -took the left. Unfortunately he and his party circled -it at too great a distance. The watchful animals saw<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_55" id="Page_55">[55]</a></span> -him. Suddenly I was startled by a strange, discordant, -half human, devilish cry, and beheld four -young and half-grown gorillas running towards the -deep forest. I was not ready. We fired, but hit -nothing. Then we rushed on in pursuit; but they -knew the woods better than we. Once I caught a -glimpse of one of the animals again; but an intervening -tree spoiled my mark, and I did not fire. We -pursued them till we were exhausted, but in vain. -The alert beasts made good their escape. When we -could pursue no more we returned slowly to our camp, -where the women were anxiously expecting us.</p> - -<p>I protest I felt almost like a murderer when I saw the -gorilla this first time. As they ran on their hind legs, -with their heads down, their bodies inclined forward, -their whole appearance was that of hairy men running -for their lives. Add to all this their cry, so awful, -yet with something human in its discordance, and you -will cease to wonder that the natives have the wildest -superstitions about these "wild men of the woods."</p> - -<p>In our absence the women had made large fires, and -prepared the camp. I changed my clothes, which had -become drenched by the frequent torrents and puddles -we ran through in our eager pursuit. Then we sat -down to our supper, which had been cooked in the -meantime. I noticed that all my plantains were gone—eaten -up. What was to become of us in the great -forest? I had only two or three biscuits, which I kept -in case of actual starvation or sickness.</p> - -<p>As we lay by the fire in the evening before -going to sleep, the adventure of the day was talked -over to those who had not gone with us; and, of -course, there followed some curious stories of the -gorillas. I listened in silence.</p> - -<p>One of the men told a story of two Mbondemo -women who were walking together through the woods, -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_56" id="Page_56">[56]</a></span> -when suddenly an immense gorilla stepped into the -path, and, clutching one of the women, bore her off -in spite of the screams and struggles of both. The -other woman returned to the village much frightened, -and told the story. Of course her companion was -given up for lost. Great was the surprise when, a few -days afterwards, she returned to her home.</p> - -<p>"Yes," said one of the men, "that was a gorilla -inhabited by a spirit." This explanation was received -by a general grunt of approval.</p> - -<p>One of the men told how, some years ago, a party -of gorillas were found in a cane-field tying up the -sugar-cane in regular bundles, preparatory to carrying -it away. The natives attacked them, but were routed, -and several killed, while others were carried off -prisoners by the gorillas; but in a few days they -returned home, not uninjured indeed, for the nails of -their fingers and toes had been torn off by their captors.</p> - -<p>Then several people spoke up, and mentioned names -of dead men whose spirits were known to be dwelling -in gorillas.</p> - -<p>Finally came the story that is current among all the -tribes who are acquainted with the habits of the -gorilla, that this animal will hide himself in the lower -branches of a tree, and there lie in wait for people who -go to and fro. When one passes sufficiently near, the -gorilla grasps the luckless fellow with his powerful feet, -which he uses like giants' hands, and, drawing the man -up in to the tree, he quietly chokes him there.</p> - -<p>Hunger and starvation began to tell upon us -severely. When we started I did not calculate on -meeting with gorillas. I had eaten all my sea bread. -There was not a particle of food among us, and no -settlement near us. I began to feel anxious for fear -that we should die. Berries were scarce; and nuts were<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_57" id="Page_57">[57]</a></span> -hardly to be found. The forest seemed deserted. -There was not even a bird to kill. To make matters -worse, we had been misled. We were lost—lost in the -great forest!—and we failed to reach a certain settlement -where we had expected to arrive.</p> - -<p>Travelling on an empty stomach is too exhausting to -be very long endured. The third day I awoke feeble, -but found that one of the men had killed a monkey. -This animal, roughly roasted on the coals, tasted -delicious. How I wished we had ten monkeys to eat! -but how glad and grateful we were for that single one.</p> - -<p>Presently, Makinda, looking up, discovered a beehive. -He smoked the bees out, and I divided the honey. -There might have been a fight over this sweet booty -had I not interposed and distributed it in equal shares. -Serving myself with a portion not bigger than I gave -the rest, I at once sat down, and devoured honey, -wax, dead bees, worms, dirt, and all; I was so hungry. -I was only sorry we had not more.</p> - -<p>I had really a hard time getting through the old -elephant tracks, which were the best roads through -the jungle. The men seemed to have lost their way. -We saw no animals, but found several gorillas' tracks.</p> - -<p>At last my men began to talk more cheerfully; they -knew where they were: and, soon after, I saw the -broad leaves of the plantain, the forerunner of an -African town. But, alas! as we approached, we saw no -one coming to meet us; and when we reached the place -we found only a deserted village. But even for this how -thankful I was! Since I left Dayoko I had experienced -nothing but hunger and starvation; and these were -the first human habitations we had met.</p> - -<p>Presently, however, some Mbicho people made their -appearance. They were relatives of Mbéné, and their -village was close by. They gave us some plantains, -but no fowls. I wished very much to get a fowl. I felt<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_58" id="Page_58">[58]</a></span> -gouamba (which means hunger) for meat, and knew -that a good warm fowl broth would have done me a -great deal of good. We spent the evening in the -houses, drying and warming ourselves. It was much -better than the forest, even if it was only a deserted -town.</p> - -<p>I asked if we should ever reach the cannibal country, -and found that, with the exception of the Mbicho -village near at hand, we were already surrounded on -three sides by Fan villages.</p> - -<p>I was too tired to rest. Besides, I was getting deep -into the interior of Africa, and was in the neighbourhood -of the Fans, the most warlike tribe that inhabited -the country. So I barricaded my hut, got my -ammunition ready, saw that my guns were all right, -and then lay awake for a long time, before I could go -to sleep.</p> - -<div class="figcenter"><img src="images/illo10.png" width="200" -height="117" alt="" title="" /></div> -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_59" id="Page_59"></a></span></p> - -<div class="figcenter6"><a name="Glass"><img src="images/glass.png" width="550" -height="436" alt="" title="" /></a> -<div class="caption">KING ASTONISHED AT LOOKING-GLASS.</div></div> - - -<h2 id="VIII">CHAPTER VIII.</h2> - -<p class="i2 center">I ARRIVE AMONG THE CANNIBALS—THEIR SPEARS, BOWS, -AND BATTLE-AXES—THEY TAKE ME FOR A SPIRIT—THEIR -KING SHAKES WHEN HE SEES ME—I GIVE HIM A -LOOKING-GLASS—IT ASTONISHES HIM.</p> - - -<p class="p2">We were, at last, near the Fan country. We -had passed the last Mbichos village, and -were on our way to the villages of the -<i>man-eaters</i>.</p> - -<p>I remember well the first Fan village I approached. -It stood on the summit of a high hill in the mountains. -All its inhabitants were very much excited when they -perceived we were coming towards it, through the -plantation path; for the trees around the hill had been<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_60" id="Page_60">[60]</a></span> -cut down. The men were armed to the teeth, as we -entered the village, and I knew not whether hundreds -of spears and poisoned arrows might not be thrown at -me, and I be killed on the spot. What dreadful spears -those cannibals had; they were all barbed. Each -man had several in his hand; and, besides, had a shield -made of elephant's hide, to protect himself with. -Others were armed with huge knives, and horrible-looking -battle-axes, or with bows and poisoned arrows.</p> - -<p>Wild shouts of astonishment, which, for all I knew, -were war-shouts, greeted me as I entered the village. -I must own that I felt not quite at my ease. How -wild and fierce these men looked! They were most -scantily dressed. When they shouted, they showed -their teeth, which were filed to a point, and coloured -black. Their open mouths put me uncomfortably in -mind of a tomb; for how many human creatures each -of these men had eaten!</p> - -<p>How ugly the women looked! They were all -tattooed, and nearly naked. They fled with their -children into their houses, as I passed through the -street, in which I saw, here and there, human bones -lying about. Yes, human bones from bodies that had -been devoured by them! Such are my recollections -of my first entrance into a village of cannibals.</p> - -<p>The village was strongly fenced, or palisaded; and -on the poles were several skulls of human beings and -of gorillas. There was but a single street, about two-thirds -of a mile long. On each side of this were low -huts, made of the bark of trees.</p> - -<p>I had hardly entered the village when I perceived -some bloody remains, which appeared to me to be -human. Presently we passed a woman who was -running as fast as she could towards her hut. She -bore in her hand a piece of a human thigh, just as we -should go to market and carry thence a joint or steak.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_61" id="Page_61">[61]</a></span></p> - -<p>This was a very large village. At last we arrived at -the palaver house. Here I was left alone with Mbéné -for a little while. There was great shouting going on -at a little distance, at the back of some houses. One -of them said they had been busy dividing the body of -a dead man, and that there was not enough for all.</p> - -<p>They flocked in presently, and soon I was surrounded -by an immense crowd. Not far from me was a -ferocious-looking fellow. On one arm he supported a -very large shield, made of an elephant's hide, and of the -thickest part of the skin, while in his other hand he -held a prodigious war-knife, which he could have -slashed through a man in a jiffy.</p> - -<p>Some in the crowd were armed with cross-bows, from -which were shot either iron-headed arrows, or the -little, insignificant-looking, but really most deadly -darts, tipped with poison. These are made of slender, -harmless reeds, a foot long, whose sharpened ends are -dipped in a deadly vegetable poison, which these people -know how to make. These poisoned darts are so light -that they would blow away, if simply laid in the -groove of the bow. Hence they use a kind of sticky -gum to hold them.</p> - -<p>The handle of the bow is ingeniously split; and, by -a little peg, that acts as a trigger, the bow-string is -disengaged. The bow is very stiff and strong, and -sends the arrow to a great distance. As you see by the -representation of a Fan bowman, they have to sit -down and apply both feet to the middle of the bow, -while they pull with all their strength on the string to -bend it back.</p> - -<p>These little poisoned arrows are much dreaded by -them, and are very carefully kept in little bags, which -are made of the skin of wild animals.</p> - -<p>Some bore on their shoulders the terrible war-axe. -A single blow of this axe suffices to split a human<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_62" id="Page_62">[62]</a></span> -skull. I saw that some of these axes, as well as their -spears and other ironwork, were beautifully ornamented.</p> - -<p>The war-knife, which hangs by their side, is a terrible -weapon. It is used in hand-to-hand conflict, and -is designed to be thrust through the enemy's body. -There was also another sort of huge knife used by -some of the men in the crowd before me. It was a -foot long, about eight inches wide, and is used to cut -through the shoulders of an adversary. It must do -tremendous execution.</p> - -<p>A few of the men had also a very singular pointed axe, -which is thrown from a distance. When thrown, it strikes -with the point down, and inflicts a terrible wound. -They handle it with great dexterity. The object aimed -at with this axe is the head. The point penetrates to -the brain, and kills the victim immediately.</p> - -<p>The spears were six or seven feet long, and are -ingeniously adapted to inflict terrible wounds. They -are thrown with an accuracy and a force which never -ceased to astonish me. The long, slender staff fairly -whistles through the air; and woe to the man who is -within twenty or thirty yards of their reach.</p> - -<p>Most of the knives and axes were ingeniously -sheathed in covers made of snake or antelope skins, -or of human skin. These sheaths were slung round -the shoulder or neck by cords, which permit the -weapon to hang at the side, out of the wearer's way.</p> - -<p>These Fan warriors had no armour. Their only -weapon of defence is the huge shield of elephant hide, -of which I spoke to you. It is three and a half feet -long, by two and a half feet wide.</p> - -<p>Besides their weapons, many of the men wore a -small knife, as a table-knife, or jack-knife.</p> - -<p>From this description of the men by whom I was -surrounded, you may judge with what amazement I<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_63" id="Page_63">[63]</a></span> -looked around me, with my guns in my hands. It -was a grand sight to see such a number of stalwart, -martial, fierce-looking fellows, fully armed, and ready -for any desperate fray, gathered together.</p> - -<p>Finer-looking savages I never saw; and I could -easily believe them to be brave; and the completeness -of their war-like equipments proved that fighting is a -favourite pastime with them. No wonder they are -dreaded by all their neighbours!</p> - -<p>Here was I, at this time only a lad, alone in the -midst of them.</p> - -<p>Presently came the king, a ferocious-looking fellow. -His body was naked. His skin in front was painted -red, and his chest, stomach, and back were tattooed in -a rude but effective manner. He was covered with -charms, and he wore round his neck a necklace made -with leopard's teeth. He was fully armed. Most of -the Fans wore queues; but the queue of Ndiayai, the -king, was the biggest of all, and terminated in two -tails, in which were strung brass rings. His beard was -plaited in several plaits, which contained white beads. -His teeth were filed sharp to a point. He looked like a -perfect glutton of human flesh.</p> - -<p>I looked around me in a cool, impassive manner. -Ndiayai, the king, fairly shook at the sight of me. -He had refused to come and see me, at first, from a -belief that he would die in three days after setting eyes -on me. But Mbéné had persuaded him to come. Ndiayai -was accompanied by the queen, the ugliest woman I -ever saw, and very old. She was called Mashumba. -She was nearly naked, her only covering being a strip -of cloth about four inches wide, made of the soft bark -of a tree, and dyed red. Her body was tattooed in -the most fanciful manner; her skin, from long exposure, -had become rough and knotty. She wore two -enormous iron anklets, and had, in her ears, a pair of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_64" id="Page_64">[64]</a></span> -copper rings, two inches in diameter. I could easily -put my little fingers in the holes through which the -earrings passed.</p> - -<p>The people looked at me, wondered at my hair, but -never ceased to look at my feet. "Look at the strange -being," said they to each other, "his feet are not of -the colour of his face, and he has no toes!"</p> - -<p>Finally, the king said to Mbéné that, when surrounded -by his people, he was not afraid of anybody.</p> - -<p>I could well believe him. When fighting they must -look perfect devils.</p> - -<p>When night came I entered my house, and looked -about to see how I could barricade myself for the -night; for I did not fancy putting myself entirely at -the mercy of these savage Fans. Their weapons had -been sufficient to show me that they were men who -were not afraid to fight. I told Mbéné to send for -Ndiayai. The king came, and I presented him a large -bunch of white beads, a looking-glass, a file, fire-steels, -and some gun-flints. His countenance beamed with -joy. I never saw such astonishment as he exhibited -when I held the looking-glass before his face. At first -he did not know what to make of it, and did not want -to take the glass, till Mbéné told him that he had one. -He put his tongue out, and he saw it reflected in the -looking-glass. Then he shut one eye, and made faces; -then he showed his hands before the looking-glass—one -finger—two fingers—three fingers. He became -speechless, and with all I had given him, he went away -as "happy as a king"; and "every inch a (savage) -king" he was.</p> - -<p>Shortly afterwards, Mashumba, the queen, thinking -that probably I had something for her, also came and -brought me a basketful of plantains. They were -cooked. At once the idea rushed into my mind, that -perhaps the very same pot that cooked the plantains<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_65" id="Page_65">[65]</a></span> -had cooked a Fan's head in the morning; and I began to -have a horrible loathing of the flesh-pots of these people. -I would not have cooked in their pots for the world.</p> - -<p>A little after dark, all became silent in the village. -I barred my little bit of a door as well as I could with -my chest, and, lying down on that dreadful Fan bed, -I placed my gun by my side, and tried hard, but in -vain, to go to sleep. I wondered how many times -human flesh had entered the hut I was in. I thought -of all I had seen during the day, which I have related -to you. The faces of those terrible warriors, and the -implements of war, were before my eyes though it was -pitch dark.</p> - -<p>Was I afraid? Certainly not. What feeling was it -that excited me? I cannot tell you. It was certainly -not fear; for if anyone the next day had offered to -take me back where I came from, I should have declined -the offer. Probably I was agitated by the novel -and horrible sights that had greeted my eyes, and -which exceeded all my previous conceptions of Africa. -Now and then I thought that as these men not only -killed people, but ate them also, they might perhaps -be curious to try how I tasted.</p> - -<p>Hour after hour passed, and I could not get to sleep. -I said my bed was a dreadfully bad one. It was a -frame composed of half a dozen large round bamboos. -I might as well have tried to sleep on a pile of cannonballs. -Finally, I succeeded in going to sleep, holding -my gun tightly under my arm.</p> - -<p>When I got up in the morning, and went out at the -back of the house, I saw a pile of ribs, leg and arm -bones, and skulls, piled together. The cannibals must -have had a grand fight, not long before, and devoured -all their prisoners of war.</p> - -<p>In what was I to wash my face? I resolved at last -not to wash at all.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_66" id="Page_66"></a> -<a name="Page_67" id="Page_67"></a></span></p> - - -<div class="figcenter6"><a name="Elephant1"><img src="images/ele1.png" width="550" -height="419" alt="" title="" /></a> -<div class="caption">ENTRAPPING THE ELEPHANT.</div></div> - -<h2 id="IX">CHAPTER IX.</h2> - -<p class="i2 center">AN ELEPHANT HUNT.</p> - - -<p class="p2">After a few days the Fans began to get -accustomed to me, and I to them; and we were -the best friends in the world.</p> - -<p>They are great hunters. One day a woman -returning from the plantations brought news, that she -had seen elephants; and that one of the plantain fields -had been entirely destroyed by them. This was an -event of common occurrence in the country; for the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_68" id="Page_68">[68]</a></span> -elephants are not very particular, and whatever they -like they take; not caring a bit how much hunger -they may occasion among the poor natives.</p> - -<p>When the news arrived, a wild shout of joy spread -among the villagers. The grim faces of the Fans smiled; -and in doing so, showed their ugly filed teeth. "We are -going to kill elephants," they all shouted. "We are -going to have plenty of meat to eat," shrieked the -women.</p> - -<p>So in the evening a war-dance took place; a war-dance -of cannibals! It was the wildest scene I ever -saw. It was pitch-dark; and the torches threw a dim -light around us, and showed the fantastic forms of -these wild men. Really it was a wild scene. They -were all armed as if they were going to war. How they -gesticulated! What contortions they made! What -a tumult they raised! How their wild shouts echoed -from hill to hill, and died away in the far distance! -They looked like demons. Their skins were painted of -different colours; and, as the dancing went on, their -bodies became warm, and shone as if they had been -dipped in oil.</p> - -<p>Suddenly a deafening shout of the whole assemblage -seemed to shake the earth. Their greatest warrior -(Leopard) came to dance. Leopard was, it appears, the -bravest of them all. He had killed more people in war -than anybody else. He had given more human food -to his fellow-townsmen than many other warriors put -together. Hence they all admired and praised him; -and a song describing his feats of arms was sung by -those who surrounded him. How ferocious he looked! -He was armed to the teeth. He had a spear like one -of those I have already described. A long knife hung -by its side, and the hand that held the shield carried a -battle-axe also. In dancing, he acted at times as if he -were defending himself against an attack; at other<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_69" id="Page_69">[69]</a></span> -times, as if he were himself attacking somebody. Once -or twice I really thought he meant to throw his -spear at someone. I could hardly breathe while -looking at him. He appeared actually to be a demon. -Finally he stopped from sheer exhaustion, and others -took his place.</p> - -<p>The next day the men furbished up their arms. -I myself cleaned my guns, and got ready for the -chase; so that, if I could get a chance, I might send a -bullet through an elephant.</p> - -<p>The war-dish was cooked. It is a mixture of herbs, -and is supposed to inspire people with courage. They -rubbed their bodies with it, and then we started. -There were about five hundred men. After leaving -the village we divided into several parties. Each party -was well acquainted with the forest, and knew just -where to go. The march was conducted in perfect -silence, so that we might not alarm the elephants. -After proceeding six hours we arrived not far from the -hunting-ground where the elephants were supposed to -be. The Fans built shelters, and these were hardly -finished when it began to rain very hard.</p> - -<p>The next day some Fans went out to explore the -woods, and I joined the party. The fallen trees, the -broken-down limbs, the heavy footprints, and the -trampled underbrush, showed plainly that there had -been many elephants about. There were no regular -walks, and they had strayed at random in the forest.</p> - -<p>When the elephants are pleased with a certain -neighbourhood, they remain there a few days. When -they have eaten all the food they like, and nothing -remains, they go on to some other place.</p> - -<p>The forest here, as everywhere else, was full of -rough, strong, climbing plants, many of which reach to -the top of the tallest trees. They are of every size; -some bigger than a man's thigh, while many are as<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_70" id="Page_70">[70]</a></span> -large as the ropes of which the rigging of a ship is -made. These creepers the natives twist together; and, -after working very hard, they succeed in constructing -a huge fence, or obstruction. Of course, it is not -sufficient to hold the elephant; but when he gets -entangled in its meshes, it is strong enough to check -him in his flight, till the hunters can have time to kill -him. When an elephant is once caught, they surround -the huge beast, and put an end to his struggles by -incessant discharges of their spears and guns.</p> - -<p>While the others worked, I explored the forest. Seeing -that the men were careful in avoiding a certain -place, I looked down on the ground, and saw nothing. -Then, looking up, I saw an immense piece of wood -suspended by the wild creepers, high in the air; and, -fixed in it at intervals, I saw several large, heavy, -sharp pointed pieces of iron pointing downwards. The -rope that holds up this contrivance is so arranged that -the elephant cannot help touching it, if he passes -underneath. Then the <i>hanou</i> (such is the name given -to the trap) is loosened, it falls with a tremendous force -on his back; the iron points pierce his body, and -the piece of wood, in falling, generally breaks his -spine.</p> - -<p>I also saw in different places, large, deep ditches, -intended as pitfalls for the elephant. When he runs -away, or roams around at night, he often falls into these -pits, and that is the end of him; for, in falling, he -generally breaks his legs. Sometimes, when the -natives go and visit the pit they have made, they find -nothing but the bones of the elephant and his ivory -tusks.</p> - -<p>The fence that the natives had made must have been -several miles long, and in many places was several rows -deep; and now there were elephant pits beside, and the -<i>hanous</i>.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_71" id="Page_71">[71]</a></span></p> - -<p>We were, you must remember, in a mountainous -country; and I could scarcely believe my eyes when I -saw plainly the footprints of this animal where I -myself had to hold to the creepers to be able to -ascend.</p> - -<p>When everything was ready, part of the men went -silently and hid themselves upon the limbs or besides -the trunks of trees near the barrier or "tangle." -Others of us took a circuitous route in an opposite -direction from that in which we had come. After we -had got miles away from the "tangle," we formed a -chain as long in extent as the fence, and moved forward, -forming a semi-circle, with the men ten or twenty -yards apart from each other.</p> - -<p>Presently, all along the line the hunting horns were -sounded, wild shouts were sent up, and, making all the -noise they could, the Fans advanced in the direction of -the "tangle." The elephants were entrapped. Hearing -the noise, of course they moved away from us, -breaking down everything before them in their flight. If -they tried to go to the right, they heard the same wild -shouts; if they tried to go to the left, they heard the -same. There was no other way for them to go but -straight ahead; and there, though they did not know -it, were the tangle, the pits, and the <i>hanous</i>. They -were going to surer death than if they had tried to -break our lines; for then most, if not all of them, would -have escaped. We were too far from each other to -hinder them.</p> - -<p>Onward we pressed, the circle of those giving chase -becoming smaller and smaller, and the crashing of the -underbrush more distinct, as we approached the -elephants in their flight. The men's countenances -became excited. They got their spears in readiness; -and soon we came in sight of the tangles. What an -extraordinary sight lay before me; I could distinguish<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_72" id="Page_72">[72]</a></span> -one elephant, enraged, terrified, tearing at everything -with his trunk and feet, but all in vain! The tough -creepers of the barrier in no instance gave way before -him. Spear after spear was thrown at him. The Fans -were everywhere, especially up on the trees, where they -were out of the reach of the elephant. The huge animal -began to look like a gigantic porcupine, he was stuck -so full of spears. Poor infuriated beast! I thought he -was crazy. Every spear that wounded him made him -more furious! But his struggles were in vain. He -had just dropped down when I came close to him; and -to end his sufferings, I shot him through the ear. After -a few convulsions of limb all became quiet. He was -dead.</p> - -<p>Some of the elephants had succeeded in going -through the tangle, and were beyond reach.</p> - -<p>Four elephants had been slain; and I was told that a -man had been killed by one of the elephants, which -turned round and charged his assailants. This man -did not move off in time, and was trampled under foot -by the monstrous beast. Fortunately, the elephant -got entangled; and, in an instant, he was covered with -spears, and terribly wounded. After much loss of -blood he dropped down lifeless.</p> - -<p>I am sure you will agree with me, after the description -I have given of a Fan elephant hunt, that the -men of this tribe are gifted with remarkable courage -and presence of mind.</p> - -<p>They have certain rules for hunting the elephant. -These tell you never to approach an elephant, except -from behind; he cannot turn very fast, and you have, -therefore, time to make your escape. He generally -rushes blindly forward. Great care must also be taken -that the strong creepers, which are so fatal to the -elephant, do not also catch and entangle the hunters -themselves. A man lying in wait to spear an elephant<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_73" id="Page_73">[73]</a></span> -should always choose a stout tree, in order that the -infuriated beast, should he charge at it, may not uproot -it.</p> - -<p>The next day, there was a dance round the elephant, -while the fetich-man cut a piece from one of the hind -legs. This was intended for their idol. The meat was -cooked in presence of the fetich-man, and of those who -had speared the elephant. As soon as all the meat had -been cooked they danced round it; and a piece was -sent into the woods for the spirit to feed upon, if he -liked. The next day, the meat was all cut up in small -pieces, then hung up and smoked.</p> - -<p>The cooking and smoking lasted three days, and I -can assure you it is the toughest meat I ever tasted. -Of course, like the Fans, I had no other food; and for -three days I ate nothing but elephant meat. I wish -I could give you a notion how it tastes; but really I -do not know what to compare it with. Beef, mutton, -lamb, pork, venison, make not the slightest approach -to a resemblance: and as for poultry, such a comparison -would be positively aggravating!</p> - -<p>The proboscis being one of the favourite morsels, a -large piece of it was given to me. The foot is another -part reputed to be a great dainty, and two feet were -sent me, together with a large piece of the leg for a -roast.</p> - -<p>But the meat was so tough that I had to boil it for -twelve hours; and then I believe it was as tough as -ever; it seemed to be full of gristle. So, the next day, -I boiled it again for twelve hours; all my trouble, -however, was unavailing, for it was still hopelessly -tough! I may say, that the more I ate of elephant -meat the more I got to dislike it. I do not think -I shall ever hanker after elephant steak as long as -I live. I wonder if you boys would like it? I wish I -had some, and could induce you to taste of it. I am<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_74" id="Page_74">[74]</a></span> -inclined to think you would agree with me, and never -desire to renew your acquaintance with it.</p> - -<p>How glad I was when I returned to Ndiayai village; -and no wonder, for we had rain every day in the woods. -As for the poor man who had been killed by the -elephant, his body was sent to another clan to be -devoured; for the cannibals do not eat their own -people.</p> - -<div class="figcenter"><img src="images/illo8.png" width="175" -height="120" alt="" title="" /></div> -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_75" id="Page_75"></a></span></p> - -<div class="figcenter6"><a name="Work"><img src="images/work.png" width="550" -height="418" alt="" title="" /></a> -<div class="caption">FAN BLACKSMITHS AT WORK.</div></div> - -<h2 id="X">CHAPTER X.</h2> - -<p class="i2 center">LIFE AMONG THE CANNIBALS—CURIOUS MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS—COOKING -UTENSILS—A BLACKSMITH'S BELLOWS -AND ANVIL—CANNIBAL DIET.</p> - - -<p class="p2">After we reached Ndiayai, I went back to -my little hut, and found everything I had left -there. I had hidden my powder and shot in -different places, and had dug holes in which to hide -my beads.</p> - -<p>The news had spread among the surrounding -cannibal villages that the spirit, as they called me, was<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_76" id="Page_76">[76]</a></span> -still in the village of Ndiayai, and the people flocked -to see me. Among those who came to see me, was a -chief of the name of Oloko. He gave me the long war -knife, of which you have seen a drawing, and explained -to me how it had several times gone right through a -man.</p> - -<p>Mbéné went away for a while, and left me entirely -alone with these cannibals. During his absence I -studied the habits of these strange people; and you -may be sure that wherever I went I kept my eyes wide -open.</p> - -<p>By the way, I see I have omitted to give a description -of the town of King Ndiayai. It was a very large -town, composed of a single street. When I say a large -town, I do not mean, of course, that it could bear any -comparison as to size with London, Paris, or New York. -I mean that it was a large town for this part of Africa. -It contained five or six hundred men. The houses -were quite small, and were all made of the bark of -trees; none of them had windows. They were nearly -all of the same size.</p> - -<p>Strange to say, these Fans seemed to be very fond -of music, and very funny instruments they make use -of. To hear some of their music would make you laugh. -They have not the slightest idea of what we consider -harmony in sound; but they evidently have a great -liking for music after their own notion. It is very -much the same with their dancing. They have not the -slightest idea of the dances in use with us, such as -waltzes, galops, polkas, or quadrilles; and I am sure -if they were to see us dancing in our fashion, they -would laugh quite as much as you would laugh if you -could see them capering in their uncouth style.</p> - -<p>Like all the savage tribes of Africans, they are very -fond of the tom-tom, or drum. Those drums are of -different sizes, but many are from four to six feet in<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_77" id="Page_77">[77]</a></span> -length, and about ten inches in diameter at one end, -but only six or seven at the other. The wood is -hollowed out quite thin, and skins of animals are -stretched tightly over the ends. The drummer holds -the tom-tom slantingly between his legs; and, with -two sticks, he beats furiously upon the larger end of -the drum, which is held uppermost. Sometimes they -beat upon it with their hands. The people form a -circle round the tom-tom, and dance and sing, keeping -time with it. They often invited me to hear them.</p> - -<p>But now I am going to speak to you of a far more -curious instrument. It is called by these cannibals -the handja; and I never saw it except among their -tribes.</p> - -<p>Ndiayai was very fond of hearing the handja, and I -often went to his shed to hear someone play upon it. -Sometimes, on these occasions, Ndiayai would come -out surrounded by Queen Mashumba and some of his -other wives, and listen for an hour or two to the music -of the handja.</p> - -<p>I give you a representation of the handja (<i>see</i> p. 78), -so you will understand better when I describe it to -you.</p> - -<p>It consists of a light reed frame, about three feet -long, and eighteen inches wide, in which are set, and -securely fastened, a number of hollow gourds. The -handja I saw contained seven gourds. These gourds -are covered by strips of a hard, red wood, found in the -forest. These gourds and cylinders, as you see, are -of different sizes, so graduated that they form a -regular series of notes. Each gourd has a little hole -which is covered with a skin thinner than parchment. -And what kind of skin do you think it was? It was -the skin of the very large spider which abounds in that -country, and from which I should not care to receive -a bite, it is so poisonous.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_78" id="Page_78">[78]</a></span></p> - -<p>The performer sits down, with the frame across his -knees, and strikes the strips lightly with a stick. There -are two sticks, one of hard wood, the other of much -softer wood. The instrument is played on the same -principle as a chime of bells, or an instrument used in -France, and which, perhaps, some of you have seen, -composed of a series of glasses. The tone of the handja -is very clear and good, and though their tunes were -rude, they played them with considerable skill.</p> - -<div class="figcenter"><a name="Handja"><img src="images/handja.png" width="550" -height="317" alt="" title="" /></a> -<div class="caption">THE HANDJA.</div></div> - -<p>The Fans work iron better than any tribe I met -with. They are very good blacksmiths. Their warlike -habits have made iron a very necessary article to -them. It is very plentiful in their mountainous -country.</p> - -<p>Before you is a picture of two Fan blacksmiths. -Look at the curious bellows they have. It is made of -two short, hollow cylinders of wood, surmounted by -skins, very well fitted on, and having an appropriate -valve for letting in the air. As you see, the bellows-blower -is on his knees, moving down these coverings -with great rapidity. There are two small wooden<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_79" id="Page_79">[79]</a></span> -pipes, connected with two iron tubes which go into the -fire.</p> - -<p>The anvil, as you see in the picture, is a solid piece -of iron. The sharp end is stuck into the ground; and -the blacksmith sits alongside his anvil, and beats his -iron with a singular-looking hammer, clumsy in form, -and with no handle; in fact it is merely made of a heavy -piece of iron.</p> - -<p>The blacksmiths sometimes spend many days in -making a battle-axe, knife or spear. They make, also, -their own cooking utensils and water-jugs. These are -of the shape you see in the picture before you. They -also make their own pipes, for they are great smokers. -Some of their pipes are not at all ungraceful in shape.</p> - -<p>Besides the water-jug, they frequently use the calabash, -as a vessel to carry water in; and some of their -calabashes are really pretty, and very nicely ornamented. -Some of the spoons, with which they eat -their human broth, are very beautiful. They are made -of various woods, and sometimes of ivory.</p> - -<p>It is quite sickening to think what horrible people -these Fans are! Such inveterate cannibals are they, -that they even eat the poor wretches who die of disease. -As I was talking to the king one day, some -Fans brought in a dead body, which they had bought -or bartered for, in a neighbouring town, and which was -to be divided among them. I could see that the man -had died of some disease; for the body was very lean. -They came round it with their knives; and Ndiayai -left me to superintend the distribution. I could not -stand this; and when I saw them getting ready, I left -the spot, and went to my hut. Afterwards, I could -hear them growing noisy over the division of their -horrid spoil.</p> - -<p>In fact, the Fans seem to be perfect ghouls. Those -who live far in the interior practise unblushingly their<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_80" id="Page_80">[80]</a></span> -horrid custom of eating human flesh. It appears they -do not eat the dead of their own family, but sell the -corpse to some other clan, or make an agreement that -when one of their number dies they will return the -body in exchange.</p> - -<p>Until I saw these things I could not believe a story -I had often heard related among the Mpongwe tribe, -which is as follows: A party of Fans once came down -to the seashore to view the ocean. While there, -they actually stole a freshly-buried body from the -cemetery, and cooked and ate it. Another body was -taken by them and conveyed into the woods, where -they cut it up, and smoked the flesh. These acts -created a great excitement among the Mpongwes.</p> - -<p>But you must not think that the Fans are continually -eating human flesh. They eat it when they can -get it, but not every day. They kill no one on purpose -to be eaten.</p> - -<p>One day Ndiayai took me to an Osheba town, the -king of which tribe was his friend; and let me tell you -that the Oshebas were also great man-eaters, like the -Fans, whom they greatly resemble in appearance. The -chief of that Osheba village was called Bienbakay.</p> - -<p>The Fans are the handsomest and most resolute-looking -set of negroes I have ever seen in the interior. -Eating human flesh does not seem to disagree with -them, though I have since seen other Fan tribes whose -men had not the fine appearance of these mountaineers. -Here, as everywhere else, the character of the country -doubtless has much to do with the matter of bodily -health and growth. These cannibals were living among -the mountains, and had come from still higher mountain -regions, and this accounts for their being so robust -and hardy.</p> - -<p>The strangest thing in connection with the Fans, -next to their hideous cannibalism, is their constant<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_81" id="Page_81">[81]</a></span> -encroachments upon the land westward. Year by year -they have been advancing nearer to the sea. Town -after town has been settled by them on the banks of -the Gaboon river. In fact, they seem to be a conquering -race, driving every other tribe before them.</p> - -<p>The colour of these people is dark brown rather than -black. They feed much upon manioc and the plantain. -They have also two or three kinds of yams, -splendid sugar-cane, and squashes, all of which they -cultivate with considerable success. Manioc seemed -to be the favourite food. Enormous quantities of -squashes are raised, chiefly for the seeds, which, when -pounded and prepared in their fashion, are much -prized by them, and I confess I relished this food -myself. At a certain season, when the squash is ripe, -their villages seem covered with the seeds, which -everybody spreads out to dry. When dried they are -packed in leaves, and placed over the fireplaces in the -smoke, to keep off an insect which also feeds upon -them. They are all suspended by a cord, for, besides -being infested by insects, they are subject to the -depredations of mice and rats, both of which are fond -of them.</p> - -<p>The process of preparation is very tedious. A portion -of the seeds is boiled, and each seed is divested of its -skin; then the mass of pulp is put into a rude wooden -mortar and pounded, a vegetable oil being mixed with -it before it is cooked.</p> - -<p>While on the subject of the food of the cannibals, I -ought to mention that they do not sell the bodies of -their chiefs, kings, or great men; these receive burial, -and remain undisturbed. It is probable also that they -do not eat the corpses of people who die of special -diseases.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_82" id="Page_82"></a> -<a name="Page_83" id="Page_83"></a></span></p> - -<div class="figcenter6"><a name="Hunting1"><img src="images/hunti.png" width="550" -height="424" alt="" title="" /></a> -<div class="caption">NET-HUNTING.</div></div> - - -<h2 id="XI">CHAPTER XI.</h2> - - -<p class="i2 center">JOURNEY TO YOONGOOLAPAY—HUNTING WITH NETS—THE -TERRIBLE BASHIKONAY ANTS.</p> - - -<p class="p2">On my way to the seashore from the cannibal -country, I had a good deal of trouble. I had -taken quite another route to come back; -Mbéné and his people left me on the banks of -a river called the Noya, at the village of a chief called -Wanga. From there I pushed my way towards Yoongoolapay, -a village, whose chief is called Alapay. But -before reaching that place, we came one evening to a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_84" id="Page_84">[84]</a></span> -village called Ezongo. The inhabitants, seeing our -heavy loads, turned out with the greatest amount of -enthusiasm to receive me. Their ardour cooled somewhat -when they learned the contents of my packages, -for they were the birds and animals I had collected. -The rascally chief, thinking I must place a great value -on things I had gone so far to get, determined to -detain me till I paid a heavy price to get away; and -for a while things looked as if I should have a good -deal of trouble. The king, urged on by his people, -who seemed to be a greedy set of rascals, insisted on -his price, which would have left me empty-handed.</p> - -<p>At last my Mbicho guides from the Noya tried to -settle the matter. They were wise enough to get the -king to come to me with them alone. I gave the -rascal a coat and an old shirt, and I told him, what was -literally true, that I was very poor, and could not pay -what his people wanted. After this palaver he went -out at once and harangued the turbulent extortioners.</p> - -<p>So I passed on safely to the village of my old friend, -King Alapay, whom I had known before, and who was -very glad to see me again. He asked me to stay some -days; and being really worn out with constant exposure, -much anxiety, and frequent annoyance, I determined -to do so. His village is charmingly situated upon a -high hill, which overlooks the surrounding country, -and has a beautiful stream skirting its base. Moreover, -I found the people very kind, peaceable, and -hospitable.</p> - -<p>A considerable number of independent Mbicho -villages lay within a circuit of a few miles, the inhabitants -of which lived in great harmony with one another, -having prudently intermarried to such a degree that -they really constitute a large family. I was made -welcome among them all, and spent some very pleasant -days in hunting with these kind-hearted people, and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_85" id="Page_85">[85]</a></span> -particularly in that kind of sport called by them -<i>asheza</i>, or net-hunting, a practice very common -among the bakalai, who called it <i>ashinga</i>.</p> - -<p>This singular sport is very much practised in this -part of Africa; and, as it is generally successful, it is -a local amusement, and brings out the best traits of -the natives. I was always very fond of it.</p> - -<p>The ashinga nets are generally made of the fibres of -the bark of a kind of tree, which are twisted into stout -cords. They are from sixty to eighty feet long, and -four to five feet high; and every well-to-do village -owns at least one. But, as few villages have enough -nets to make a great spread, it generally happens -that several unite in a grand hunt, and divide the -proceeds, the game caught in any particular net falling -to the share of its owners.</p> - -<p>The first day we went out, the people of half a -dozen villages met together at an appointed place, -the men of each bringing their nets. Then we set out -for a spot about ten miles off, where they had a clearing -in the dense woods, which had been used before, and -was one of their hunting-grounds. We moved along in -silence, so as not to alarm the animals which might be -near our ground. The dogs—for dogs are used in this -hunt—were kept still, and close together.</p> - -<p>Finally, we arrived on the ground, and the work of -spreading the toils began. Each party stretched a -single net, tying it up by creepers to the lower -branches of trees. As all worked in the same direction, -and each took care to join his net to that of his neighbour, -in a very short time we had a line of netting -running in a wide half circle, and at least half a mile -long.</p> - -<p>This done, a party went out on each side, to guard -against the chance of escape, and the rest of us were -ready to beat the bush. We started at about a mile<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_86" id="Page_86">[86]</a></span> -from the nets, and, standing about fifty yards from -each other, we advanced gradually, shouting and -making all the noise we could, at the same time keeping -our arms in readiness to shoot or spear down anything -which might come in our way.</p> - -<p>Though this very spot had been frequently used for -net-hunting, and was therefore better cleared than -the neighbouring woods, yet we were obliged to -proceed almost step by step. Nearly every native -carried, besides his gun, a heavy cutlass or bill, with -which it was necessary literally to hew out a way, -the vines and creepers making a network which only -the beasts of the forest could glide through without -trouble.</p> - -<p>As we advanced, so did the men that guarded the -flanks; and thus our party gradually closed round the -prey. Presently we began to hear shouts, but we could -see nothing; and I could only hold my gun in readiness -and pray that my neighbours might not shoot me -by mistake; for they are fearfully reckless when on a -chase.</p> - -<p>The dogs had for some time been let loose. At last -we came in sight of the nets. We had caught a -gazelle of very minute size, called <i>ncheri</i>. It is a very -graceful little animal, and would make a pretty pet, -though I have never seen one tamed. A large antelope -also was brought to bay, and shot before I came -up; and another antelope, being shot at and missed, -rushed forward and got entangled in the net.</p> - -<p>Having drawn this cover, we gathered up the nets -and went off with the dogs, who enjoyed the sport -vastly, to try another place. After walking about -three-quarters of an hour we again spread our nets. -Here we had better luck, catching a considerable -number of antelopes, gazelles, and some smaller -animals. It was pretty busy work for us. Nearly all<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_87" id="Page_87">[87]</a></span> -the animals got very much entangled, and the more -they tried to get through the nets the more they -became bewildered.</p> - -<p>Before breaking up, all the game caught was laid -together, that all might see it. And now I had an -opportunity to notice the curious little sharp-eared -dogs, about a foot high, which had been so useful in -driving the animals into our toils. They stood looking -at their prizes with eager and hungry eyes. These -dogs often go and hunt for themselves; and it is no -unusual thing for half-a-dozen dogs to drive an antelope -to the neighbourhood of their village, when their -barking arouses the hunters, who come out and kill -their quarry.</p> - -<p>It was almost dark when we returned to the village -of Alapay. One antelope was put aside for me, being -a peculiar species which I wanted to stuff; and the -rest of the meat was immediately divided. The -villagers were delighted at our luck. We were all very -hungry, and cooking began at once. I could hardly -wait for the dinner, which was one worthy of an -emperor's palate. It consisted of plantain, cooked in -various ways, and venison of the tenderest sort, -stewed in lemon-juice, and afterwards roasted on -charcoal.</p> - -<p>I was glad to go to bed early, for I felt very tired. I -had travelled during the day very nearly thirty miles.</p> - -<p>But I had scarcely got sound asleep when I was -fairly turned out of the house by a furious attack of -the Bashikonay ants. They were already upon me -when I jumped up, and I was bitten by them terribly. -I ran out into the street, and called for help and -torches. The natives came out, the lights were struck, -and presently I was relieved. But now we found that -the whole village was attacked. A great army of ants -was pouring in on us, attracted doubtless by the meat -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_88" id="Page_88">[88]</a></span> -in the houses, which they had smelt afar off. My -unfortunate antelope had probably brought them to -my door. All hands had to turn out to defend themselves. -We built little cordons of fires, which kept -them away from places they had not entered, and in -this way protected our persons from their attacks. -We scattered hot ashes and boiling water right and -left; and towards morning, having eaten everything -they could get at, they left us in peace. As was to be -expected, my antelope was literally eaten up—not a -morsel left.</p> - -<p>The vast number, the sudden appearance, and the -ferocity of these frightful creatures never ceased to -astonish me. On this occasion they had come actually -in millions. The antelope on which they fed was a -vast mass of living ants, which we could not approach; -and it was only when many fires were lighted that -they were forced from their onward and victorious -course, which they generally pursue. Then, however, -they retreated in parties with the greatest regularity, -vast numbers remaining to complete the work of -destruction. Little would I give for the life of a man -who should be tied up to a tree when these ants pass -that way and attack him; in two or three hours -nothing would be left of him but the bare bones.</p> - -<div class="figcenter"><img src="images/illo4.png" width="175" -height="149" alt="" title="" /></div> -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_89" id="Page_89"></a></span></p> - -<div class="figcenter6"><a name="Falling"><img src="images/fall.png" width="550" -height="422" alt="" title="" /></a> -<div class="caption">MANGROVE SWAMP. TUMBLING AND FALLING.</div></div> - - -<h2 id="XII">CHAPTER XII.</h2> - -<p class="i2 center">RETURNING TO THE COAST—CAVERNS AND WATERFALLS -IN THE HIGHLANDS—CROSSING A RIVER ON MANGROVE -ROOTS—STIRRING UP A BIG SNAKE—A MUTUAL SCARE.</p> - - -<p class="p2">I left the good villagers of Yoongoolapay, -and pursued my way to the seashore. On the -route we came to a high ridge, or plateau. -This was the highest land I had seen between -the Moonda and the Mani, and it is probable that, if it -had not been for the trees, I should have seen the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_90" id="Page_90">[90]</a></span> -ocean very well. Along this ridge were strewn some of -the most extraordinary boulders I ever saw. These -immense blocks of granite covered the ground in every -direction. Several of them were between twenty and -thirty feet high, and about fifty feet long.</p> - -<p>Near the largest of these granite masses a huge rock -rose some forty or fifty feet out of the ground. I saw -an opening in the solid rock, leading to a fine large -cavern. It had no doubt been made by the hands of -man; it was not of natural formation, for the entrance -had evidently been cut out of the solid rock by human -beings; and now it was much used by the natives as a -house to stop in over night when they were travelling -to and fro. Its vast opening admits such a flood of -sunlight and air that it is not likely to be used as a -lair for wild beasts. We saw the remains of several -fires inside, but I am bound to say we saw also the -tracks of leopards and other dangerous beasts on the -outside, for which reason I did not care to sleep there.</p> - -<p>While exploring the cavern I thought several times -I heard a trickling, which was almost like the noise of -rain, and which I had not noticed before, probably on -account of the great shouting of my men. But when -we got out I was surprised to find not a cloud in the -sky. Turning for an explanation to Alapay, he led me -along a path, and as we went forward the trickling -noise gradually grew into the sound of rushing waters. -Presently we came to the edge of a steep declivity, -and here I saw before and around me a most charming -landscape, the centre of which was a most beautiful -waterfall. A little stream, which meandered along the -slope of the plateau, and which had hitherto escaped -our view, had here worn its way through a vast granite -block which barred its course. Rushing through the -narrow and almost circular hole in this block, it fell in -one silvery leap perpendicularly forty or fifty feet. The<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_91" id="Page_91">[91]</a></span> -lower level of the stream ran along between high, steep -banks covered with trees, the right bank being quite -abrupt. It was a miniature Niagara. Clear, sparkling, -and pure as it could be, the water rushed down to its -pebbly bed—a sight so charming that I sat down for -some time and feasted my eyes upon it.</p> - -<p>I then determined to have a view from below. After -some difficult climbing we got to the bottom, and -there beheld, under the fall, a large hole in the perpendicular -face of the rock, which evidently formed -the mouth of a cavern. The opening of the cavern -was partly hidden by the waterfall, and was cut through -solid rock. Between the opening and the waterfall -there were a few feet of clear space, so that by going -sideways one could make good his entrance into the -cavern without receiving a shower bath.</p> - -<p>I determined to enter this cavern; but before -venturing I went first and tried to get a peep at the -inside. It was so dark that I could see nothing, so it -was not very inviting. We lit torches; I took my -revolver and gun, and, accompanied by two men, who -also were armed with guns, we entered. How dark it -was! Once inside, we excited the astonishment of a -vast number of huge vampire bats. There were -thousands and thousands of them. They came and -fluttered around our lights, threatening each moment -to leave us in darkness, and the motion of their -wings filled the cavern with a dull thunderous or -booming roar. It really looked an awful place, and the -dim light of our torches gave to every shadow a fantastic -form.</p> - -<p>The cavern was rather rough inside. When we had -advanced about one hundred yards we came to a stream, -or puddle of water, extending entirely across the floor, -and barring our way. My men, who had gone thus far -under protest, now desired to return, and urged me not<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_92" id="Page_92">[92]</a></span> -to go into the water. It might be very deep; it might -be full of horrible water snakes; all sorts of wild beasts -might be beyond, and land snakes also. At the word -snake I hesitated, for I confess to a great dread of -serpents in the dark, or in a confined place, where a -snake is likely to get the advantage of a man. A cold -shudder ran through me at the thought that, once in -the water, many snakes might come and swim round -me, and perhaps twist themselves about me as they do -around the branches of trees. So I paused and -reflected.</p> - -<p>While peering into the darkness beyond I thought I -saw two eyes, like bright sparks or coals of fire, -gleaming savagely at us. Could it be a leopard, or -what? Without thinking of the consequences, I -levelled my gun at the shining objects and fired. The -report, for a moment, deafened us. Then came a -redoubled rush of the great hideous bats. It seemed -to me that millions of these animals suddenly launched -out upon us from all parts of the surrounding gloom. -Some of these got caught in my clothes. Our torches -were extinguished in an instant, and, panic-stricken, -we all made for the cavern's mouth. I had visions of -enraged snakes springing after and trying to catch me. -We were all glad to reach daylight once more, and -nothing could have induced us to try the darkness -again. I confess that, though I think it takes a good -deal to frighten me, I did not at all relish remaining -there in entire darkness.</p> - -<p>The scene outside was as charming as that within -was hideous. I stood a long time looking at one of -the most beautiful landscapes I ever beheld in Africa. -It was certainly not grand, but extremely pretty. -Before me, the little stream whose fall over the cliff -filled the forest with a gentle murmur, resembling very -much, as I have said, when far enough off, the pattering<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_93" id="Page_93">[93]</a></span> -of a shower of rain, ran along between steep banks, the -trees of which seemed to meet above it. Away down -the valley we could see its course, traced like a silver -line over the plain, till it was lost to our sight in a -denser part of the forest.</p> - -<p>I have often thought of these caverns since I saw -them, and I have regretted that I did not pay more -attention to them. If I had made my camp in the -vicinity, and explored them and dug in them -for days, I think that I should have been -amply rewarded for the trouble. At that time I -did not feel greatly interested in the subject. I had -not read the works of M. Boucher de Perthes and -others, or heard that the bones of animals now extinct -had been discovered in caverns in several parts of -Europe, and that implements made of flint, such as -axes, sharp-pointed arrows, etc., etc., had been found -in such places. If I had excavated I might perhaps -have found the remains of charcoal fires, or other things, -to prove that these caverns had been made by men -who lived in Africa long before the negro. I feel -certain these caverns must have been human habitations. -I do not see how they could have been made -except by the hand of man.</p> - -<p>On my last journey I thought once or twice of going -to them from the Fernand-Vaz, to explore and dig in -them. I thought I might be rewarded for labour by -discovering the bones of unknown beasts, or of some -remains of primitive men.</p> - -<p>These caverns are fortunately not far away from the -sea—I should think not more than ten or fifteen miles—and -are situated between the Muni and the Moonda -rivers. Anyone desiring to explore them would easily -find the way to them. The cavern under the waterfall -would be extremely interesting to explore.</p> - -<p>The valley itself was a pleasant wooded plain, which,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_94" id="Page_94">[94]</a></span> -it seemed, the hand of man had not yet disturbed, and -whence the song of birds, the chatter of monkeys, and -the hum of insects came up to us, now and then, in a -confusion of sounds very pleasant to the ear.</p> - -<p>But I could not loiter long over this scene, being -anxious to reach the seashore. After we set off again we -found ourselves continually crossing or following elephant -tracks, so we walked very cautiously, expecting -every moment to find ourselves face to face with a -herd.</p> - -<p>By-and-by the country became quite flat, the elephant -tracks ceased, and presently, as we neared a -stream, we came to a mangrove swamp. It was almost -like seeing an old friend, or, I may say, an old enemy, -for the remembrances of mosquitoes, tedious navigation, -and malaria which the mangrove tree brought to -my mind were by no means pleasant. It is not very -pleasant to be laid up with African fever, I assure you.</p> - -<p>From a mangrove tree to a mangrove swamp and -forest is but a step. They never stand alone. Presently -we stood once more on the banks of the little stream, -whose clear, pellucid water, had so charmed me a little -farther up the country. Now it was only a swamp, a -mangrove swamp. Its bed, no longer narrow, was -spread over a flat of a mile, and the now muddy water -meandered slowly through an immense growth of mangroves, -whose roots extended entirely across, and met -in the middle, where they rose out of the mire and -water like the folds of some vast serpent.</p> - -<p>It was high tide. There was not a canoe to be had. -To sleep on this side, among the mangroves, was to be -eaten up by the mosquitoes, which bite much harder -than those of America, for they can pierce through -your trousers and drawers. This was not a very pleasant -anticipation, but there seemed to be no alternative, -and I had already made up my mind that I should not<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_95" id="Page_95">[95]</a></span> -be able to go to sleep. But my men were not troubled -at all with unpleasant anticipations. We were to cross -over, quite easily too, they said, on the roots which -projected above the water, and which lay from two to -three feet apart, at irregular distances.</p> - -<p>It seemed a desperate venture, but they set out -jumping like monkeys from place to place, and I -followed, expecting every moment to fall in between -the roots in the mud, there to be attacked, perhaps, by -some noxious reptile whose rest my fall would disturb. -I had to take off my shoes, whose thick soles made me -more likely to slip. I gave all my baggage, and guns, -and pistols to the men, and then commenced a journey, -the like of which I hope never to take again. We -were an hour in getting across—an hour of continual -jumps and hops, and holding on. In the midst of it all -a man behind me flopped into the mud, calling out, -"Omemba!" in a frightful voice.</p> - -<p>Now, <i>omemba</i> means snake. The poor fellow had -put his hands on an enormous black snake, and, feeling -its cold, slimy scales, he let go his hold and fell. All -hands immediately began to run faster than before, -both on the right and the left. There was a general -panic, and every one began to shout and make all kinds -of noises to frighten the serpent. The poor animal -also got badly scared, and began to crawl away among -the branches as fast as he could. Unfortunately his -fright led him directly towards me, and a general panic -ensued. Everybody ran as fast as he could to get out -of danger. Another man fell into the mud below, -and added his cries to the general tumult. Two or -three times I was on the point of getting a mud bath -myself, but I luckily escaped. My feet were badly -cut and bruised, but at last we were safe across, and I -breathed freely once more, as soon after I saw the deep -blue sea.</p> -<hr class="chap" /> - -<div class="figcenter6"><a name="Ground"><img src="images/ground.png" width="600" -height="375" alt="" title="" /></a> -<div class="caption"> -SLAVE BARRACOONS. BURIAL GROUND.<br /> -<a href="#XIII">CHAP. XIII.</a> -</div></div> - - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_96" id="Page_96"></a> -<a name="Page_97" id="Page_97"></a></span></p> - -<div class="figcenter6"><img src="images/illo11.png" width="600" -height="143" alt="" title="" /></div> - - -<h2 id="XIII">CHAPTER XIII.</h2> - -<p class="i2 center">CAPE LOPEZ AND AN OPEN PRAIRIE ONCE MORE—KING -BANGO AND HIS THREE HUNDRED WIVES—HIS FIVE -IDOLS—SLAVE BARRACOONS—THE CORPSE AND THE -VULTURES.</p> - - -<p class="p2">Cape Lopez is a long sandy arm of land -reaching out into the sea. As you approach it -from the ocean it has the appearance of overflowed -land. It is so low that the bushes and the -trees growing on it seem, from a distance seaward, -to be set in the water.</p> - -<p>The bay formed by Cape Lopez is about fourteen -miles long. Among several small streams which empty -their water into it is the Nazareth river, one of whose -branches is the Fetich river. The bay has numerous -shallows and small islands, and abounds in all sorts of -delicious fish. On the cape itself many large turtles from -the ocean come to lay their eggs. I will tell you by-and-by -what a nice time I had fishing at Cape Lopez; -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_98" id="Page_98">[98]</a></span> -but I have many other things to talk about before I -come to that.</p> - -<p>I arrived at Cape Lopez one evening when it was -almost dark. The next morning I prepared myself for -a visit to King Bango, the king of the country. The -royal palace is set up on a tolerably high hill, and fronts -the seashore. Between the foot of this hill and the -sea there is a beautiful prairie, over which are scattered -the numerous little villages called Sangatanga. I never -tired of looking at this prairie. I had lived so long in -the gloomy forest that it gave me great delight to see -once more the green and sunlit verdure of an open -meadow. I found the royal palace surrounded by a -little village of huts. As I entered the village I was -met by the <i>mafouga</i>, or officer of the king, who conducted -me to the palace. It was an ugly-looking house -of two stories, resting on pillars. The lower story consisted -of a dark hall, flanked on each side by rows of -small dark rooms, which looked like little cells. At the -end of the hall was a staircase, steep and dirty, up -which the mafouga piloted me. When I had ascended -the stairs I found myself in a large room, at one end of -which was seated the great King Bango, who claims -to be the greatest chief of this part of Africa. He -was surrounded by about one hundred of his wives.</p> - -<p>King Bango was fat, and seemed not over clean. -He wore a shirt and an old pair of pantaloons. On his -head was a crown, which had been presented to him by -some of his friends, the Portuguese slavers. Over his -shoulders he wore a flaming yellow coat, with gilt embroidery, -the cast-off garment of some rich man's -lacquey in Portugal or Brazil. When I speak of a crown -you must not think it was a wonderful thing, made of -gold and mounted with diamonds. It was shaped like -those commonly worn by actors on the stage, and was -probably worth, when new, about ten dollars. His<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_99" id="Page_99">[99]</a></span> -majesty had put round it a circlet of pure gold, made -with the doubloons he got in exchange for slaves. He -sat on a sofa, for he was paralyzed; and in his hand he -held a cane, which also answered the purpose of a -sceptre.</p> - -<p>This King Bango, whom I have described so -minutely, was the greatest slave king of that part of -the coast. At that time there were large slave depôts -on his territory. He is a perfect despot, and is much -feared by his people. He is also very superstitious.</p> - -<p>Though very proud, he received me kindly, for I had -come recommended by his great friend, Rompochombo, -a king of the Mpongwe tribe. He asked me how I -liked his wives. I said, very well. He then said there -were a hundred present, and that he had twice as -many more, three hundred in all. Fancy three -hundred wives! He also claimed to have more than -six hundred children. I wonder if all these brothers -and sisters could know and recognise each other!</p> - -<p>The next night a great ball was given in my honour -by the king. The room where I had been received -was the ball-room. I arrived there shortly after dark, -and I found about one hundred and fifty of the king's -wives, and I was told that the best dancers of the -country were there.</p> - -<p>I wish you could have seen the room. It was ugly -enough; there were several torches to light it; but, -notwithstanding these, the room was by no means -brilliantly illuminated. The king wanted only his wives -to dance before me. During the whole of the evening -not a single man took part in the performance; but -two of his daughters were ordered to dance, and he -wanted me to marry one of them.</p> - -<p>Not far from the royal palace were three curious and -very small houses, wherein were deposited five idols, -which were reputed to have far greater power and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_100" id="Page_100">[100]</a></span> -knowledge than the idols or gods of the surrounding -countries. They were thought to be the great protectors -of the Oroungou tribe, and particularly of -Sangatanga and of the king. So I got a peep inside -the first house. There I saw the idol called Pangeo; -he was made of wood, and looked very ugly; by his -side was his wife Aleka, another wooden idol. Pangeo -takes care of the king, and of his people, and watches -over them at night.</p> - -<p>I peeped also into the second little house. There I saw -a large idol, called Makambi, shaped like a man, and by -his side stood a female figure, Abiala his wife. Poor -Makambi is a powerless god, his wife having usurped -the power. She holds a pistol in her hand, with which, -it is supposed, she can kill anyone she pleases; hence -the natives are much afraid of her; and she receives -from them a constant supply of food, and many -presents (I wonder who takes the presents away). -When they fall sick, they dance around her, and implore -her to make them well; for these poor heathen -never pray to the true God. They put their trust in -wooden images, the work of their own hands.</p> - -<p>I looked into the third house, and there I saw an -idol called Numba. He had no wife with him, being -a bachelor deity. He is the Oroungou Neptune and -Mercury in one—Neptune in ruling the waves, and -Mercury in keeping off the evils which threaten from -beyond the sea.</p> - -<p>As I came away after seeing the king, I shot at a -bird sitting upon a tree, but missed it, for I had been -taking quinine and was nervous. But the negroes -standing around at once proclaimed that this was a -"fetich bird,"—a sacred bird—and therefore I could -not shoot it, even if I fired at it a hundred times.</p> - -<p>I fired again, but with no better success. Hereupon -they grew triumphant in their declarations; while I,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_101" id="Page_101">[101]</a></span> -loth to let the devil have so good a witness, loaded -again, took careful aim, and, to my own satisfaction -and their utter dismay, brought my bird down.</p> - -<p>During my stay in the village, as I was one day out -shooting birds in a grove, not far from my house, I saw -a procession of slaves coming from one of the barracoons -toward the farther end of my grove. As they -came nearer, I saw that two gangs of six slaves each, all -chained about the neck, were carrying a burden -between them, which I knew presently to be the corpse -of another slave. They bore it to the edge of the -grove, about three hundred yards from my house; and, -throwing it down there on the bare ground, they returned -to their prison, accompanied by the overseer, -who, with his whip, had marched behind them.</p> - -<p>"Here, then, is the burying-ground of the barracoons," -I said to myself sadly, thinking, I confess, of -the poor fellow who had been dragged away from his -home and friends; who, perhaps, had been sold by his -father or relatives to die here and be thrown out as -food for the vultures. Even as I stood wrapped in -thought, these carrion birds were assembling, and -began to darken the air above my head; ere long they -were heard fighting over the corpse.</p> - -<p>The grove, which was, in fact, but an African Aceldama, -was beautiful to view from my house; and I had -often resolved to explore it, or to rest in the shade of -its dark-leaved trees. It seemed a ghastly place -enough now as I approached it more closely. The -vultures fled when they saw me, but flew only a little -way, and then perched upon the lower branches of the -surrounding trees, and watched me with eyes askance, -as though fearful I should rob them of their prey. As -I walked towards the corpse, I felt something crack -under my feet. Looking down, I saw that I was already -in the midst of a field of skulls and bones. I had<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_102" id="Page_102">[102]</a></span> -inadvertently stepped upon the skeleton of some poor -creature who had been lying here long enough for the -birds and ants to pick his bones clean, and for the rains -to bleach them. I think there must have been the -relics of a thousand skeletons within sight. The place -had been used for many years; and the mortality in -the barracoons is sometimes frightful, in spite of the -care they seem to take of their slaves. Here their -bodies were thrown, and here the vultures found their -daily carrion. The grass had just been burnt, and the -white bones scattered everywhere, gave the ground a -singular, and, when the cause was known, a frightful -appearance. Penetrating farther into the bush, I -found several great piles of bones. This was the -place, years ago—when Cape Lopez was one of the -great slave markets on the West Coast, and barracoons -were more numerous than they are now—where the -poor dead were thrown, one upon another, till even -the mouldering bones remained in high piles, as monuments -of the nefarious traffic. Such was the burial-ground -of the poor slaves from the interior of Africa.</p> - - -<div class="figcenter"><img src="images/illo8.png" width="175" -height="120" alt="" title="" /></div> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_103" id="Page_103"></a></span></p> - -<div class="figcenter6"><a name="Slaves"><img src="images/slaves.png" width="550" -height="421" alt="" title="" /></a> -<div class="caption"> -EMBARKING SLAVES.</div></div> - -<h2 id="XIV">CHAPTER XIV.</h2> - -<p class="i2 center">SLAVE BARRACOONS—A BIG SNAKE UNDER MY BED—A -SLAVE SHIP OFF THE COAST.</p> - - -<p class="p2">One day I passed by an immense enclosure, -protected by a fence of palisades about twelve -feet high, and sharp-pointed at the top. -Passing through the gate, which was standing -open, I found myself in the midst of a large collection -of shanties, surrounded by shady trees, under which -were lying, in various positions, a great many negroes. -As I walked round, I saw that the men were fastened,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_104" id="Page_104">[104]</a></span> -six together, by a little stout chain, which passed -through a collar secured about the neck of each. Here -and there were buckets of water for the men to drink; -and they being chained together, when one of the six -wanted to drink, the others had to go with him.</p> - -<p>Then I came to a yard full of women and children. -These could roam at pleasure through their yard. No -men were admitted there. These people could not all -understand each other's language; and you may probably -wish to know who they were. They were -Africans belonging to various tribes, who had been -sold, some by their parents or by their families; others -by the people of their villages. Some had been sold -on account of witchcraft; but there were many other -excuses for the traffic. They would find suddenly that -a boy or girl was "dull," and so forth, and must be sold. -Many of them came from countries far distant.</p> - -<p>Some were quite merry; others appeared to be very -sad, thinking that they were bought to be eaten up. -They believed that the white men beyond the seas -were great cannibals, and that they were to be fattened -first and then eaten. In the interior, one day, a chief -ordered a slave to be killed for my dinner, and I barely -succeeded in preventing the poor wretch from being -put to death. I could hardly make the chief believe -that I did not, in my own country, live on human -flesh.</p> - -<p>Under some of the trees were huge caldrons, in -which beans and rice were cooking for the slaves; and -others had dried fish to eat. In the evening they were -put into large sheds for the night. One of the sheds -was used as a hospital.</p> - -<p>In the midst of all this stood the white man's house—yes, -the white man's house!—and in it were white -men whose only business was to buy these poor creatures -from the Oroungou people!</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_105" id="Page_105">[105]</a></span></p> - -<p>After I had seen everything, I left the barracoon—for -that is the name given to such a place as I have just -described. I wandered about, and it was dark before -I returned to the little bamboo house which the king -had given me. I got in, and then, striking a match -carefully, I lighted a torch, so that I might not go to -bed in darkness. You may smile when I say bed, for -my couch was far from bearing any resemblance to our -beds at home, with mattresses and pillows, and sheets -and blankets. Travellers in equatorial Africa are utter -strangers to such luxuries.</p> - -<p>After I had lighted the torch, I cast my eyes round -to see if anything had been disturbed; for a thief, so -disposed, could easily break into these houses. I -noticed something glittering and shining under my -akoko, or bedstead. The object was so still that I did -not pay any attention to it; in fact, I could not see it -well by the dim light of the torch. But when I -approached the bed to arrange it, I saw that the glitter -was produced by the shining scales of an enormous -serpent, which lay quietly coiled up there within two -feet of me. What was I to do? I had fastened my -door with ropes. If the snake were to uncoil itself and -move about, it might, perhaps, take a spring and wind -itself about me, quietly squeeze me to death, and -then swallow me as he would a gazelle. These were -not comforting thoughts. I was afraid to cry out for -fear of disturbing the snake, which appeared to be -asleep. Besides, no one could get in, as I had barricaded -the only entrance, so I went quietly and -unfastened the door. When everything was ready for -a safe retreat, I said to myself, "I had better try to -kill it." Then, looking for my guns, I saw, to my -utter horror, that they were set against the wall at the -back of the bed, so that the snake was between me and -them. After watching the snake intently, and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_106" id="Page_106">[106]</a></span> -thinking what to do, I resolved to get my gun; so, -keeping the door in my rear open, in readiness for a -speedy retreat at the first sign of life in the snake, I -approached on tip-toe, and, in a twinkling of an eye, -grasped the gun which was loaded heavily with large -shot. How relieved I felt at that moment! I was no -longer the same man. Fortunately, the snake did not -move. With my gun in one hand I went again towards -the reptile, and, fairly placing the muzzle of the gun -against it, I fired, and then ran out of the house as fast -as I could.</p> - -<p>At the noise of the gun there was a rush of negroes -from all sides to know what was the matter. They -thought some one had shot a man, and run into my -house to hide himself; so they all rushed into it, -helter-skelter; but I need not tell you they rushed out -just as fast, on finding a great snake writhing about on -the floor. Some had trodden upon it and been -frightened out of their wits. You have no idea how -they roared and shouted; but no one appeared disposed -to enter the house again, so I went in cautiously -myself to see how matters stood, for I did not intend -to give undisputed possession of my hut so easily to -Mr. Snake. I entered and looked cautiously around. -The dim light of the torch helped me a little, and -there I saw the snake on the ground. Its body had -been cut in two by the discharge, and both ends were -now flapping about the floor. At first I thought these -ends were two snakes, and I did not know what to make -of it; but as soon as I perceived my mistake, I gave a -heavy blow with a stick on the head of the horrible -creature, and finished it. Then I saw it disgorge a -duck—a whole duck—and such a long duck! It looked -like an enormous long-feathered sausage. After eating -the duck, the snake thought my bedroom was just the -place for him to go to sleep in and digest his meal; for<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_107" id="Page_107">[107]</a></span> -snakes, after a hearty meal, always fall into a state of -torpor. It was a large python, and it measured—would -you believe it?—eighteen feet. Fancy my -situation if this fellow had sprung upon me and coiled -round me! It would soon have been all over with me. -I wonder how long it would have taken to digest -me, had I been swallowed by the monster!</p> - -<p>One fine day, while walking on the beach of this -inhospitable shore, I spied a vessel. It approached -nearer and nearer, and at last ran in and hove-to a few -miles from the shore. Immediately I observed a gang -of slaves rapidly driven down from one of the barracoons. -I stood and watched. The men were still in -gangs of six, but they had been washed, and each had -a clean cloth on. The canoes were immense boats, -with twenty-six paddles, and about sixty slaves each. -The poor slaves seemed much terrified. They had -never been on the rough water before, and they did not -know what that dancing motion of the sea was. Then -they were being taken away, they knew not whither. -As they skimmed over the waves and rolled, now one -way, now another, they must have thought their last -day had come, and that they were to be consigned to a -watery grave.</p> - -<p>I was glad that these poor creatures could not see -me, for I was hidden from their view by trees and -bushes. I felt ashamed of myself—I actually felt -ashamed of being a white man! Happily, such scenes -are rarely if ever witnessed nowadays, and the slave -trade will soon belong to the past.</p> - -<p>Two hours afterwards, the vessel, with a cargo of six -hundred slaves, was on her way to Cuba.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_108" id="Page_108"></a> -<a name="Page_109" id="Page_109"></a></span></p> - -<div class="figcenter6"><a name="Gazelle"><img src="images/gaz.png" width="550" -height="419" alt="" title="" /></a> -<div class="caption"> -THE GAZELLE.</div></div> - - - -<h2 id="XV">CHAPTER XV.</h2> - -<p class="i2 center">GOING INTO THE INTERIOR—SLEEPING WITH THE KING'S -RATS—THE CHIMPANZEE—KILL A GAZELLE—TOO COLD -TO SLEEP—THE GREY PARTRIDGE.</p> - - -<p class="p2">After this I went again to visit King Bango, -and was announced to his Majesty by his great -mafouga. I had an important object in -paying this visit. I wished to ask the king to -permit me to go into the interior and to spare me -some people to show me the way.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_110" id="Page_110">[110]</a></span></p> - -<p>Bango liked me, though I had declined to marry one -of his beautiful daughters. So he granted my request, -and gave me twenty-five men, some of whom were -reputed great hunters in that country. They had -killed many elephants and brought all the ivory to -their king. They were the providers of the royal table, -and passed their lives in the hunt and in the forest.</p> - -<p>We made great preparations for the chase, for game -was said to be plentiful. We were to encamp many -days in the forest, and to have a jolly time, and a -hard time, too, for the hunter's life is not an easy one. -I was invited by the king to sleep in his palace, so -that the next day I might start early; so I was led to -my bedroom by the great mafouga. It was so dirty -and gloomy that I wished myself fast asleep under a -tree in the forest. I looked around, thinking that perhaps -the king wanted to get rid of me, and had invited -me there to have me murdered; but finding nothing -suspicious, I concluded that old King Bango had -never entertained such ideas, and I felt vexed at -myself for having such thoughts on my mind. Then -I extinguished the light and lay down on the royal -couch. I had scarcely lain down when I began to -hear a strange noise. At first I did not know what it -meant. The noise in the room increased. What could -it be? I tried to see through the darkness, but could -distinguish nothing. Just then I felt something getting -under my blanket. Confounded, I jumped up, not -knowing what it might be. It was an enormous rat. -As soon as I got up, I heard a perfect scrambling of -rats going back where they came from, and then all -became silent. I lay down on the bed again and tried -to sleep, but in vain, on account of the assaults and -gambols of the rats, of which there was a prodigious -number. They seemed inclined to dispute possession -of my room with me. They were continually on my<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_111" id="Page_111">[111]</a></span> -bed, and running over my face. I soon got quite -enough of the royal palace. I wished I had never come -into it. But it was an excellent place for getting up -early. No sooner had the morning twilight made its -appearance than I rose and called my men together; -and, though we could hardly see, we set out at once on -the march.</p> - -<p>I went in advance with Aboko, my head man, and -Niamkala, the next best man, at my side. Both these -men were great hunters, and had spent the principal -part of their lives in the woods. They seemed really -like men of the woods, so very wild were their looks. -Aboko was a short, somewhat stout man; very black, -and extremely muscular, very flat-nosed, and with big -thick lips. His eyes were large and cunning, and -seemed to wander about; his body bore marks of -many scratches from thorny trees and briars; his legs -displayed great strength. Niamkala, on the contrary, -was tall and slender, not very dark; he had -sharp piercing eyes, and seemed to be continually looking -after something. Both were first-rate elephant -hunters.</p> - -<p>Aboko, Niamkala, and I became great friends, for -we were all three hunters, and loved the woods.</p> - -<p>Our way led through some beautiful prairies, each -surrounded by dark forests, and seeming like natural -gardens planted in this great woody wilderness. The -country was really lovely. The surface was mostly -rolling prairie, with a light sandy soil. The highest -hills often broke into abrupt precipices, on which we -would come suddenly; and if any of us had tumbled -down to the bottom, he would never have been heard -of again. The woods are the safe retreat of the elephant. -Great herds of buffaloes are found there, also -antelopes, which go out into the great grass fields by -night to play and feed. Leopards are also abundant.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_112" id="Page_112">[112]</a></span></p> - -<p>I was much pleased to be able to travel in an open -space, and not always through the dark forest The -breeze fanned our faces as we went onward. Presently -we saw the footprints of huge elephants and of wild -buffaloes. Friend Aboko now warned us to look sharp, -for we were sure to see game. Sure enough, he had -hardly spoken when we saw a bull standing, deer-like, -upon the edge of the wood, watching us, I suppose, -and no doubt greatly puzzled to make out what kind -of animals we were. He stood for some minutes, safe -out of range, and then turned into the woods, evidently -not liking our appearance. We ran around to intercept -him; and I waited at one pass in the woods, -for Aboko to go clear around and drive the bull -towards me.</p> - -<p>I was waiting, when suddenly I saw something approaching -me out of the deep gloom of the forest. I -thought it was Aboko coming towards me, and I waited -anxiously for news. I did not say a word for fear of -frightening the game that might be near us. The -object came nearer and nearer to me, till I thought I -could recognise Aboko's dark face distinctly through -the foliage. I stood with my gun resting on the -ground, when suddenly I heard a shrill scream, and -then what I thought to be Aboko turned and ran back -into the woods, showing a broad, big hairy body. It -was one of the wild men of the woods—the chimpanzee—and -a big one it was, I assure you.</p> - -<p>How glad I was to have seen this wild man of the -woods! For a few minutes I felt so astonished that I -did not move. His black face certainly did look very -much like that of an African, so much so that, as I -have already said, I took the chimpanzee to be Aboko.</p> - -<p>By-and-by the real Aboko made his appearance. -This time there was no illusion, and we had a good -laugh over my mistake. I felt quite vexed that I had<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_113" id="Page_113">[113]</a></span> -not shot the chimpanzee. I should have liked so -much to look at the animal closely. But I felt it was -almost like shooting a man.</p> - -<p>We left the woods, and started once more for the -interior. We had not been long on our way when I -spied a gazelle right in the middle of the prairie. How -could one approach it without being seen? for the -grass was short. We wanted very much to kill it, for -we had not killed anything yet; and what were we to -have for our dinner and supper? No one likes to go -without dinner, especially when working hard. Aboko, -Niamkala, and I held a council. We lay down flat on -the ground for fear of being seen; and finally it was -agreed that I should go towards the gazelle with my -long range gun and shoot it if I could. So I started. -I almost crawled, now and then raising my head just -to the level of the grass, to see if the animal was still -there. When I thought I was near enough, I quietly -lay down flat on the ground and rested my gun on an -ant-hill that looked like a mushroom. Taking careful -aim at the unsuspicious animal I fired, and down it -tumbled, to my great delight. Aboko and Niamkala, -who had been watching afar off, came rushing and -shouting, their faces beaming with joy. The prospect -of a good dinner cheered them up.</p> - -<p>Others of the party soon joined us. The gazelle was -cut upon the spot, and we continued our journey till we -came to a beautiful little stream, which was too deep -to be forded. A huge tree had been felled, and we -crossed to the other side on it, though it was hard -work. I assure you I thought once or twice I should -have tumbled into the water.</p> - -<p>At sunset we stopped, quite tired out. We made our -camp in the midst of the prairie in order to have the -nice grass to lie upon. It was the dry season, and we -were not afraid of getting wet. The people went into<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_114" id="Page_114">[114]</a></span> -the nearest forest and collected an immense quantity -of firewood, not a difficult task, as so many dead limbs -were lying on the ground.</p> - -<p>We lighted a great many large fires, which blazed -up fiercely, for the wind blew hard. The country -around was illuminated, and the glare of our fires must -have been seen a long way off. We took our dinner -and supper at the same time. I roasted my own share of -the gazelle myself; I put a piece of stick through the -flesh and laid the skewer across two forked sticks, -which I fixed in the ground on each side of the fire. -I longed for some lard to baste the roasting meat, but -I was thankful for the good dinner I had, and I enjoyed -it thoroughly. I had a little bit of salt to eat -with it, and also some nice cayenne pepper.</p> - -<p>My men also seemed to enjoy their meal very much, -for they had meat to their heart's content; and these -negroes are very gluttonous generally. It was laughable -to see how lazily we lay around on the grass by -our fires; some were smoking, others tried to sleep, -while others told stories; but we all tried to warm ourselves, -and kept continually adding fuel to the already -bright fires.</p> - -<p>The night was clear and almost frosty. The stars -shone brilliantly above our heads, and it was bright -moonlight. It became so windy and cold that we regretted -we had not encamped by the forest, where we -should have been sheltered from the wind. It was too -cold to sleep, even with my blanket; and my poor -men, who had no blankets, were shivering around the -fires.</p> - -<p>So at two o'clock in the morning I ordered the men -to get up. A couple of hours' sharp walking brought -us to a thick wood, and there we were sheltered. -We quickly made up one very large fire, big enough -for all of us, and stretched ourselves pell-mell around<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_115" id="Page_115">[115]</a></span> -it for a short nap. We were so tired that we soon fell -asleep, not caring for leopards or anything else. We -were awakened by the cry of the grey partridge -(<i>Francolinus squamatus</i>), called <i>quani</i> by the natives.</p> - -<p>I will now say a word about these partridges. Unlike -our partridges, they perch on trees. When evening -comes, the old cock perches himself first, and calls the -flock together. They all settle near each other. In -the morning, before daylight, they begin to cluck; -and it was this noise that we heard. They do not sleep -on the ground, like our partridges, because there are -too many snakes crawling about, and too many carnivorous -animals.</p> - -<div class="figcenter"><img src="images/illo10.png" width="200" -height="117" alt="" title="" /></div> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_116" id="Page_116"></a> -<a name="Page_117" id="Page_117"></a></span></p> - -<div class="figcenter6"><a name="Dinner"><img src="images/dinner.png" width="550" -height="426" alt="" title="" /></a> -<div class="caption"> -AFTER DINNER.</div></div> - - -<h2 id="XVI">CHAPTER XVI.</h2> - -<p class="i2 center">THE HIPPOPOTAMUS—A SPECK OF WAR—REACH NGOLA—A -SUNDAY TALK—THE BLACK MAN'S GOD AND THE -WHITE MAN'S GOD—HOW KING NJAMBAI PUNISHED HIS -WIFE—WE BUILD AN OLAKO IN THE WOODS.</p> - - -<p class="p2">Sunrise found us under way again; and -before us lay a fine stretch of prairie, on the -farther borders of which were quietly grazing -several herds of buffaloes, which, as we approached -them, quickly ran into the woods. While they<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_118" id="Page_118">[118]</a></span> -remained in sight they gave the country a civilized -appearance; it looked like a large grazing farm in June, -with cattle, and hay almost ready for harvest; a fine, -quiet, old-country picture here in the wilds of Africa, -that reminded me so much of home scenes that I -felt happy and elated.</p> - -<p>We pushed on rapidly in order to travel as far as -possible before the heat of the day should set in. We -came to a large pool or lakelet; and, while looking at -the water, I suddenly saw something strange coming -out from under its surface. It was a hippopotamus—the -first I had seen. I thought it was a log of wood; then -I fancied it was the head of a horse; for certainly, from -a distance, the head of a hippopotamus looks like that -of a horse. Then I heard a great grunt, and down went -the head under the water. Suddenly a number of the -animals made their appearance; there were at least a -dozen of them. They began sporting in the water, -now popping their huge heads out and snorting, and -then diving to the bottom and remaining there for -some time.</p> - -<p>I watched them for a while, and then I took my gun, -intending to send a bullet into the head of one and -haul him ashore; but Aboko said they would sink to -the bottom. Not wishing to kill one of these creatures -for nothing, I took Aboko's advice, and we went away.</p> - -<p>We had not met a single human being since we left -Sangatanga till now. As we journeyed, I saw in the -distance what I at first took to be a herd of buffaloes, -but soon perceived it was a caravan of natives coming -in our direction. Immediately we looked at our guns; -for in this country there is no law, and every man's -hand is against his brother. We saw that they, too, -prepared for an encounter; that most of them hid in -the grass, watching. Four fellows came towards us to -reconnoitre, and to ask if it was peace or war, when<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_119" id="Page_119">[119]</a></span> -suddenly they got a glimpse of me, and I do not know -how, but they at once saw, from the fact of my being -there, that there would be no war. They shouted to -their companions to come and see the Otangani.</p> - -<p>They were Shekianis, who, as I have said, are a very -warlike people, and this part of the country, I was told, -was thickly inhabited by them. We left them in the -midst of their wonders, and travelled as fast as we -could, for we wanted to reach a village of their tribe, -named Ngola, whose chief was a friend of King Bango, -and was his vassal, having married one of his -daughters.</p> - -<p>At last, after much travelling, we reached the -village of Ngola. As we approached, and as soon as -the women caught sight of me, they ran screaming -into the houses. Njambai, the chief, received us very -kindly, and gave me a house to live in.</p> - -<p>Ngola was a very pretty village, and the house I lived -in belonged to Shinshooko, the brother of the chief. -You will agree with me that Shinshooko had a funny -name. He was a worthy fellow, and tolerably honest, -too, for he gave me the key of one of his doors—(I -wonder where he got the old padlock that was on it)—and -he recommended me to shut my door every time -I went away, as the people might steal something.</p> - -<p>Sunday came; I remained in the village. They all -understood the Oroungou language so I could speak -to them. I told them there was no such thing as -witchcraft, and that it was very wrong to accuse people -of it and kill them; that there was only one God, who -made both the whites and the blacks, and we should -all love Him. This elicited only grunts of surprise and -incredulity. They all shouted that there were two -gods,—the God of the <i>Ntangani</i> (white men) and the -God of the <i>Alombai</i> (black men). The God of the -black men had never given them anything, while the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_120" id="Page_120">[120]</a></span> -God of the white men had sent them guns, -powder, and many other fine things. Then Shinshooko -remarked, "You have rivers of <i>alongon</i> (rum) flowing -through your land. When I go to Sangatanga I taste -it at King Bango's; how much I should like to live on -the banks of such rivers!" They would not believe -that we had only rivers of water like theirs; and that -we ourselves made our powder, and guns, and rum also.</p> - -<p>I stayed for a few days in the village of Ngola, where -the people were very kind to me. One day I heard a -woman crying out, as if she were in great pain. Asking -what was the matter, a man told me the king was -punishing one of his wives; and others said that, if I -did not go to her help, she might be killed. I hurried -to the king's house, and there, in front of the verandah, -a spectacle met my eyes, which froze my blood with -horror. A woman was tied by the middle to a stout -stake driven into the ground. Her legs were stretched -out and fastened to other smaller stakes, and stout -cords were bound round her neck, waist, ankles, and -wrists. These cords were being twisted with sticks; -and when I arrived the skin was bursting from the -terrible compression. The poor woman looked at me. -The king was in a perfect rage; he himself was the -chief executioner. His eyes were blood-shot, and his -lips were white with foam. I had to be careful in -expostulating with the king, for fear that he might kill -her at once, in a fit of rage. I walked up, and, taking -him by the arm, I asked him for my sake to release the -poor woman, and not to kill her. He seemed to -hesitate; he did not answer, and went into his house. -I threatened to leave if he did not release her. Finally -he consented, and said: "Let her loose yourself; I -give her to you."</p> - -<p>How glad I was! I rushed out immediately and -began to untie the savage cords, and to cut them away<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_121" id="Page_121">[121]</a></span> -with my knife. The poor creature was covered with -blood. I sent her to my house and took care of her. I -learned that she had stolen some of her husband's beads.</p> - -<p>After this, I left the Shekiani village of Ngola and -went on my journey with my friends, Aboko and -Niamkala. We travelled on, till, on reaching a place in -the midst of a forest, not far from a little lake, we -determined to build an olako; for I liked the country -so much that I did not want to leave it. There were -a great many wild animals in the neighbourhood, and -we thought the place was likely to afford us good sport, -especially as the lake would draw beasts down to its -banks to drink. We were not only near water, but we -had a wide stretch of forest and prairie-land about us. -We worked very hard that day, building and arranging -our encampment, in such a way as to make everything -comfortable and secure. Of course we selected the -prettiest part of the forest, and where there were many -tall and shady trees. We first cut the underbrush from -under the trees, and also many of the vines or creepers, -which looked very singular as they hung down over our -heads. Then we collected a great number of large -leaves, which are called by some tribes <i>shayshayray</i> -and <i>guaygayrai</i>, to roof our sheds with. After this -we proceeded to cut a number of small sticks, seven or -eight feet long, and began to construct our habitations. -Then we cut branches of trees to shield us from the -wind, and collected a great quantity of firewood, for -we had made up our minds to keep ourselves warm. -After we had arranged and lighted the fires, our camp -looked quite like a little village. It was very romantic -and beautiful. I had arranged my own shelter very -nicely; and it was first in the row. To be sure, my -bed was rather hard, being composed of sticks and leafy -branches; while for a pillow I had merely a piece of -wood.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_122" id="Page_122">[122]</a></span></p> - -<p>In the midst of our work, ten slaves of Njambai -came, laden with provisions, which the good fellow had -sent after me. After doing a hard day's work, I think -we deserved to rest comfortably in the evening. We -began cooking our dinner; and a right good dinner it -was. My men had monkey and buffalo-meat; but I -had a nice fat fowl, which my friend Njambai had sent -me.</p> - -<p>Before dinner I warned my men to be honest, and -keep their fingers at home. They were good fellows, -but I found that all savages will steal. So I threatened -to kill the first man I caught meddling with my property, -and told them I would shoot without mercy; -"and then," said I, with great sternness, "when I -have blown your brains out, I will settle the matter -with your king." To which Aboko coolly replied that -the settlement was not likely to do them any particular -good.</p> - -<p>Of course they all protested that they were honest; -but I knew them better than they knew themselves; I -knew the effect of temptation on them, poor fellows! -and had more confidence in their faith that I would -kill the thief than I had in their good resolutions.</p> - -<p>When this little matter was settled, they drew -around the blazing fire. By this time, the buffalo-meat -suspended in a huge kettle over the fire was -cooked and ready to be eaten; the monkeys had been -roasted on charcoal; my fowl had been cooked; and -before us was a great pile of roasted plantain. We -enjoyed a hearty meal together; I eating off a plate, -and using a fork, while the black fellows took fresh -leaves for plates, and used the "black man's fork," as -they call their five fingers. After dinner, they drank -a large calabash-full of palm wine that had been -brought from Ngola; and then, to crown their feast, -with the greatest delight of all, I went to one of my<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_123" id="Page_123">[123]</a></span> -boxes, and, lifting the lid, while the shining black faces -peered at me with saucer-eyes of expectation, I took -out a huge plug of Kentucky tobacco. There was a -wild hurrah of joy from them all. They shouted that -I was their friend; they loved only me; they would go -with nobody else; I was their good spirit; I was -like one of themselves. I distributed the tobacco -among them; and in a few minutes all were lying -about the fire, or seated round it, with their pipes in -their mouths.</p> - -<p>After making the fire burn brightly I, being tired, -went and lay down, as you see me in the picture. My -blanket was the only article of bedding I had; I -wrapped this around me, and rested my head on my -wooden pillow, which I assure you was not of the softest -kind. I felt pleased to see my men so contented. -Their wild stories of hunting adventures, of witchcraft, -and evil spirits well fitted the rude, picturesque surroundings; -and they lay there talking away, till, at -last, I was obliged to remind them that it was one -o'clock, and time to go to sleep, especially as some of -us were to get up very early and go hunting. Then all -became silent, and soon we all fell asleep, except the -men appointed to keep the fires bright, on account of -the leopards, and also to watch that we might not be -surprised by some enemy.</p> - -<div class="figcenter"><img src="images/illo7.png" width="175" -height="101" alt="" title="" /></div> - -<hr class="chap" /> - - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_124" id="Page_124"></a> -<a name="Page_125" id="Page_125"></a></span></p> - -<div class="figcenter6"><a name="One"><img src="images/one.png" width="550" -height="423" alt="" title="" /></a> -<div class="caption">A LEOPARD AND HER YOUNG ONE.</div></div> - - -<h2 id="XVII">CHAPTER XVII.</h2> - -<p class="i2 center">AN UNSUCCESSFUL HUNT FOR ELEPHANTS—I TAKE AIM -AT A BUFFALO—A LEOPARD IN THE GRASS NEAR US—WE -SHOOT THE LEOPARD AND HER KITTEN—GREAT -REJOICING IN CAMP—WHO SHALL HAVE THE TAIL?—A -QUARREL OVER THE BRAINS—THE GUINEA HENS—THE -MONKEYS.</p> - - -<p class="p2">Early the next morning, Aboko and I got up. -Aboko covered himself with his war fetiches, -and also with the fetiches that were to -bring good luck, and give him a steady hand. On -the middle of his forehead was a yellow spot made<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_126" id="Page_126">[126]</a></span> -with clay. When he had finished these preparations -we started.</p> - -<p>Our desire was to kill elephants. We saw plenty of -tracks, and we hunted all day long. In many places, -to judge by the tracks, the elephants had been only an -hour or two before ourselves. But we did not see a -single elephant, and I killed only a few monkeys for my -men's dinner, as well as a few birds.</p> - -<p>We were returning to the camp, rather down-hearted, -when I heard the cry of the grey male partridge, -of which I have already spoken, calling for his -mates to come and perch on the tree he had chosen. -We turned back to get a shot, if possible, for they are -fine eating. We were just on the edge of the forest; -and, as I pushed out into the prairie, suddenly I saw -several buffaloes, one of which I made sure of as he -stood a little in advance of the rest, where the grass -was high enough for a stealthy approach. I immediately -put a ball into the barrel that had only shot, so -that I might have my two barrels loaded with bullets. -Then Aboko and I advanced slowly towards the unconscious -bull, which stood a fair mark, and I was about to -raise my gun when Aboko made a quick sign to hold -still and listen. Aboko, at the same time, breathed as -if he were smelling something.</p> - -<p>I did not know why it was that Aboko had -stopped me, but I knew there must be better game -at hand, or some other good reason for his doing -so. Perhaps he had heard the footstep of an -elephant. I looked at his face, and saw that it -appeared anxious.</p> - -<p>As we stood perfectly motionless, I heard, at -apparently a little distance before us, a low purring -sound, which might have been taken, by a careless ear, -for the sound of the wind passing through the grass. -But to Aboko's quick ear it betokened something else.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_127" id="Page_127">[127]</a></span> -His face grew very earnest, and he whispered to me -"Njego" (leopard).</p> - -<p>What were we to do? The noise continued. We -cocked our guns, and moved, slowly and cautiously, a -few steps ahead, to get a position where we thought -we might see over the grass. The leopard might -pounce upon us at any moment. What would prevent -him from doing so if he chose? Certainly not our guns, -for we did not know exactly where the beast was. To -tell you the truth, I did not feel comfortable at all; I -had a slight objection to being carried away in the -jaws of a leopard and devoured in the woods.</p> - -<p>Our situation was far from being a pleasant one. The -leopard comes out generally by night only, and nothing -but extreme hunger will bring him out of his lair in -open day. When he is hungry, he is also unusually -savage, and very quick in his motions.</p> - -<p>We knew the animal was near, but we could not -succeed in getting a sight of him. As the wind blew -from him towards us, I perceived plainly a strong -peculiar odour which this animal gives out; and this -fact proved, still more decidedly, that the leopard could -not be far off. The thought passed through my mind: -Is he watching us? Is he coming towards us—crouching -like a cat on the ground, and ready to spring upon -us when near enough? Do his eyes penetrate the -grass which we cannot see through? If so, is he ready -to spring?</p> - -<p>Meantime our buffalo-bull stood stupidly before his -herd, not twenty yards from us, utterly innocent of -the presence of so many of his formidable enemies—the -leopard, Aboko, and myself.</p> - -<p>Just then we moved a little to one side, and, peering -through an opening in the grass, I beheld an -immense leopard, a female, with a tiny young leopard -by her side. The beast saw us at the same moment, -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_128" id="Page_128">[128]</a></span> -having turned her head quickly at some slight noise -we made. She had been watching the buffalo so -intently as not to notice our approach. It seemed to -me as if a curious look of indecision passed over her -face. She, too, had more game than she had looked -for, and was puzzled which to attack first. Her long -tail swished from side to side, and her eyes glared, as -she hesitated for a moment to decide which of the -three—the bull, Aboko, or me—to pounce upon and -make her victim.</p> - -<p>But I saved her the trouble of making up her mind; -for, in far less time than it takes me to tell you what took -place, I had put a ball into her head, which, luckily -for us, relieved her of further care for prey. She -dropped down dead. At the same moment Aboko fired -into the little leopard and killed it. At the noise of -the guns, the buffalo-bull and the herd decamped in -the opposite direction, at a tremendous pace, the bull -little knowing the circumstances to which he owed his -life.</p> - -<p>I felt much relieved, for I had never before been in -quite so ticklish a situation, and I felt no particular -desire ever to be in a similar plight again.</p> - -<p>When we returned to the camp there was a great -excitement as soon as they heard the news that two -leopards had been killed. Aboko carried in the young -leopard on his back; but mine was too heavy, and had -to be left in the field. Guns were fired in rejoicing; -and the big leopard was fetched in. When the people -returned with it to the camp, all shouted, "What an -enormous beast! what an enormous beast! We heard -gun firing," etc., etc.</p> - -<p>In the midst of this noise Niamkala made his -appearance with some of our party, bringing in some -wild boars and a pretty little gazelle which the natives -called <i>ncheri</i>. Of course the wild boars had been cut<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_129" id="Page_129">[129]</a></span> -up into several pieces, for they were too heavy to carry -whole.</p> - -<p>Niamkala and his party were received with great -cheers. The prospect of a good supper brightened all -their faces, and mine also; and I shouted, "Well -done, Niamkala and boys!"</p> - -<p>Everything was brought to my feet. There was so -much to eat that there was no use in dividing the meat -into equal shares; so I let everyone take as much as -he liked.</p> - -<p>After supper the leopards were hung on a pole -resting on two forked sticks; and then the negroes -danced round them. They sang songs of victory, and -exulted over and abused the deceased leopard (the -mother). They addressed to her comical compliments -upon her beauty (and the leopard is really a most -beautiful animal). They said, "What a fine coat you -have!" (meaning her skin). "We will take that coat off -from you." They shouted, "Now you will kill no -more people! Now you will eat no more hunters! -Now you cannot leap upon your prey! What -has become of the wild bull you were looking after so -keenly? Would you not have liked to make a meal of -Aboko or of Chaillie?" (for they called me Chaillie).</p> - -<p>Thus they sang and danced round till towards morning, -when I made them go to sleep.</p> - -<p>Next morning there was great quarrelling among -my men. What could be the matter? I found that -Niamkala was declaring his determination to have the -end of my leopard's tail, while the rest of the hunters -asserted their equal right to it. Aboko said he did not -care, as he would have the tail of the one he had -killed.</p> - -<p>I skinned the two leopards in the most careful -manner, and gave the end of the tail to Niamkala, and -I promised Fasiko to give him the tail of the next one -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_130" id="Page_130">[130]</a></span> -I should kill. They all shouted, "I hope you will kill -leopards enough to give to each of us a tail!"</p> - -<p>Poor Fasiko looked very down-hearted. When I inquired -why, he said, "Don't you know that when a -man has the end of a leopard's tail in his possession he -is sure to be fortunate in winning the heart of the girl -he wants to marry?"</p> - -<p>I said, "Fasiko, you have one wife, what do you care -for a leopard's tail?"</p> - -<p>He replied, "I want a good many wives."</p> - -<p>The palaver about the tail was hardly over when -another quarrel broke out. This time it was about the -brains. Aboko, Niamkala, and Fasiko each wanted the -whole brain of the animal. The others said they must -have some too; that there was only one end to each tail, -but that the brains could be divided among them all. -For a few minutes a fight seemed imminent over the -head of the leopard.</p> - -<p>I said, "You may quarrel, but no fighting. If you -do you will see me in the fight; and I will hit everybody, -and hit hard too." At the same time I pointed -out to them a large stick lying by my bedside. This -immediately stopped them.</p> - -<p>They all wanted the brain, they said, because, when -mixed with some other charms, it makes a powerful -<i>monda</i> (fetiche), which gives its possessors dauntless -courage and great fortune in the hunt. Happily, I -was able to persuade my three best hunters that they -wanted no such means to bolster up their courage.</p> - -<p>The dispute over the brains being settled, Aboko, in -the presence of all the men, laid the liver before me. -As this had no value or interest for me, since I was -certainly not going to eat the liver of the leopard for -my dinner, I was about to kick it aside, when they -stopped me, and entreated me to take off the gall and -destroy it, in order to save the party from future<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_131" id="Page_131">[131]</a></span> -trouble. These negroes believe the gall of the leopard -to be deadly poison, and my men feared to be -suspected by their friends or enemies at Sangatanga -of having concealed some of this poison. So I took off -the gall, put it under my feet and destroyed it, and -then, taking the earth in which it had been spilled, I -threw it in every direction, for I did not want any of -these poor fellows to be accused of a crime, and lose -their lives by it. I intended to inform the king, on -my return, that we had destroyed the liver. But I -told my men that their belief was all nonsense, and a -mere superstition. They said it was not. As I could -not prove their notion to be false, I stopped the discussion -by saying I did not believe it.</p> - -<p>Having plenty of game, we carried the leopard-meat -a long way off, and threw it away.</p> - -<p>We did not go hunting for two days, but spent our -time in smoking the meat we had on hand. It was -just the sort of weather for hunting, and for living in -the woods. The air was cool and refreshing, for it was -June, and the dry season; but the sky was often -clouded, which prevented the sun from being oppressive. -To add to our pleasure, the forest trees were in -bloom, and many of them were fragrant. The nights -were very cold indeed for this country, the thermometer -going down to sixty-eight degrees Fahrenheit. -The wind blew hard, but against that we managed to -protect ourselves. The dews were not nearly so heavy -as they are in the rainy season. The grass was in -great part burned off the prairies.</p> - -<p>Every day we succeeded in shooting more or less -game, among which were antelopes, gazelles, wild boars, -monkeys without number, and guinea fowls. These -guinea fowls were of a beautiful species. In this -country you have never seen any like them.</p> - -<p>My joy was great when I killed this hitherto unknown -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_132" id="Page_132">[132]</a></span> -species of guinea-fowl (<i>Numida plumifera</i>). It is -one of the handsomest of all the guinea-fowls yet discovered. -Its head is naked, the skin being of a deep -bluish-black tinge, and is crowned with a beautiful -crest of straight, erect, narrow, downy feathers, standing -in a bunch close together. The plumage of the -body is of a fine bluish-black ground, variegated with -numerous <i>eyes</i> of white, slightly tinged with blue. -The bill and legs are coloured a blue-black, similar to -the skin of the head.</p> - -<p>This bird is not found near the seashore. It is very -shy, but marches in large flocks through the woods. -At night they perch on trees, where they are protected -from the numerous animals which prowl about.</p> - -<p>I killed several beautiful monkeys called by the -natives <i>mondi</i>. What curious-looking monkeys they -were! Only the stuffed specimen of a young one had -been received in England before this time. The mondi -is entirely black, and is covered with long shaggy hair. -It has a very large body, and a funny little head, quite -out of proportion to the size of the animal. It is a very -beautiful monkey; the hair is of a glossy jet black; -and it has a very long tail. In Africa no monkeys have -prehensile tails; I mean by that, tails which they can -twist round the branch of a tree, and so hang themselves -with the head downwards. That kind of monkey -is only found in South America.</p> - -<p>The mondi has a dismal cry, which sounds very -strangely in the silent woods, and always enabled me -to tell where these monkeys were.</p> -<hr class="chap" /> - -<div class="figcenter6"><a name="Elephant2"><img src="images/ele2.png" width="600" -height="375" alt="" title="" /></a> -<div class="caption">ABOKO KILLS A ROGUE ELEPHANT.<br /> -<a href="#XVIII">CHAP. XVIII.</a></div></div> - - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_133" id="Page_133"></a></span></p> - - -<div class="figcenter6"><img src="images/illo12.png" width="600" -height="159" alt="" title="" /></div> - -<h2 id="XVIII">CHAPTER XVIII.</h2> - -<p class="i2 center">ALONE IN CAMP—HUNTING FOR ELEPHANTS—ABOKO KILLS -A ROGUE ELEPHANT—I CUT ANOTHER PYTHON IN TWO—WE -SHOOT SOME WILD BOARS—A BUFFALO HUNT—RETURN -TO SANGATANGA—KING BANGO SICK.</p> - - -<p class="p2">One fine day I remained in the camp, for I had -been hunting so much that I wanted a day -of rest. All the others had gone to hunt. I -was left alone, and I enjoyed the solitude, everything -around me was so beautiful and quiet. -Nature seemed to smile on all sides. I placed myself -at the foot of a large tree, and wrote in my journals; -and then I thought of the dear friends I had at home, -and wondered if they sometimes thought of me. Then -I called to mind all I had seen in the wonderful -country which I had explored. I could hardly believe -it myself: it seemed like a dream. What extraordinary -people, and what curious beasts, had I not met!<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_134" id="Page_134">[134]</a></span> -How many wonderful dangers I had escaped! How -kind God had been in protecting me! How He had -watched over the poor lonely traveller, and taken care -of him during sickness! Thus my heart went up in -gratitude, and I silently implored that the protection -of God might still be granted me.</p> - -<p>Towards sunset, Aboko and Niamkala made their -appearance, and brought a fine young boar with them. -As usual, without saying a word, they came right to -me, and put the dead animal at my feet. Then, seating -themselves and clapping their hands, Aboko began -to tell me what had happened from the time they -started in the morning until the time they returned. -They forgot nothing, even mentioning the tracks of -the animals they had seen. They reported they had -found fresh elephant tracks, and thought the elephants -had made their head-quarters there for a few days. -After hearing this, we immediately resolved that we -would all turn out after elephants on the following -day.</p> - -<p>Accordingly, in the evening, we cleaned and prepared -our guns, and everybody went to sleep early.</p> - -<p>The next morning we started about daybreak, each -of us carrying some provisions. We were to fire no -guns in the forest, for fear of frightening the elephants, -who are very shy in this region. We had taken pains -to load our guns in the most careful manner.</p> - -<p>We hunted all day, but in vain; no elephants were -to be seen. We slept out in the woods, for we were too -far from the camp to return. We felt so tired that -we had only sufficient strength left to enable us to fetch -firewood, and to cut a few branches of trees and lie -down upon them. I had lost or forgotten the matches, -so I had to light the fire with a piece of steel and a -gun-flint. This took a little longer.</p> - -<p>Very soundly we all slept, as you may easily suppose. -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_135" id="Page_135">[135]</a></span> -When I awoke in the midst of the night our fires were -almost out; at least they did not blaze up enough to -frighten the wild beasts. Aboko, Niamkala, and -Fasiko were snoring tremendously. One was lying -flat on his back, the other had his legs up, while Fasiko -had his arm extended at full length. By the side of -each was his gun, which touched him in some way, so -that it could not be taken without awaking him. I -believe it was their snoring that had aroused me. They -were so tired, and seemed to sleep so soundly, that I -did not want to wake them, so I went and added fuel -to the fire, which soon began to blaze up again.</p> - -<p>The next day found us again exploring the woods -in every direction. Elephants certainly were not -plentiful; besides they travelled much in search of -their favourite food—a kind of fern, which was not -very abundant. Again I got very tired; but at last, -in the afternoon, we came across our quarry.</p> - -<p>Emerging from a thick part of the forest into a -prairie which bordered it, we saw to our left, just -upon the edge of the wood, a solitary bull elephant. -There we stood still. I wonder what he was thinking -about! I had seen the great beast in menageries, -and also among the Fans, and I have described to you -an elephant hunt in their country, but then there was -great confusion.</p> - -<p>Here, the huge animal stood quietly by a tree, -innocent of our presence; and now, for the first time -in my life, I was struck with the vast size of this -giant of the forests. Large trees seemed like small -saplings when compared with the bulk of this immense -beast which was standing placidly near them.</p> - -<p>What were we to do but to kill him? Though I -felt a sense of pity at trying to destroy so noble an -animal, yet I was very anxious to get the first shot -myself; for it was a "rogue elephant"—that is, an<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_136" id="Page_136">[136]</a></span> -elephant unattached.[1] It was an old one, as we could -see by the great size of its tusks. I remembered that -rogue elephants are said to be very ferocious. So much -the better, I thought. I had killed a good deal of -game, and I had ceased to be afraid of any of them, -though I felt that hunting was no child's play.</p> - -<p class="i4 p2">[1] Sir Emerson Tennent ("Ceylon," vol. ii. p. 304) speaks of "the -class of solitary elephants, which are known by the term of <i>Goondapo</i>, -in India, and from their vicious propensities, and predatory habits, -are called Hora, or Rogues, in Ceylon."</p> - -<p class="p2">You must not think that we were standing up all -this time in sight of the elephant. As soon as we had -seen him, we lay down and hid ourselves in the forest, -in such a manner as not to lose sight of him. Then -we held a grand council, and talked over what must be -done to bag the beast.</p> - -<p>The grass was burnt in every direction to the leeward -of him, and we dared not risk approaching him from -the windward for fear he should smell us. What was -to be done? The eyes of my men were fixed upon -me with a keenly inquisitive look. They expected me -to tell them what I thought best to do about the -matter.</p> - -<p>I looked at the country, and saw that the grass was -very short; and, after taking account of all the chances -of approach, I was compelled to admit that I could not -manage to get near the beast myself with any certainty. -I could not crawl on the ground; my clothes -were sure to be seen by the elephant; therefore, as a -sensible hunter, I was reluctantly compelled to resign -in favour of Aboko, who, I thought, was the best man -for the difficult undertaking. His eyes glistened with -pleasure as he thought that now he could show his -skill. Besides, among hunters there is something -pleasant and exciting in knowing that you are about -to rush into danger.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_137" id="Page_137">[137]</a></span></p> - -<p>After cocking his musket, Aboko dropped down in -the short grass, and began to creep up to the elephant -slowly on his belly. The rest of us remained where -we had held our council, and watched Aboko as he -glided through the grass for all the world like a huge -boa-constrictor; for, from the slight glimpses we -caught, his back, as he moved farther and farther away -from us, resembled nothing so much as the folds of a -great serpent winding his way along. Finally we could -no longer distinguish any motion. Then all was silence. -I could hear the beating of my heart distinctly, I was -so excited.</p> - -<p>The elephant was standing still, when suddenly the -sharp report of a gun rang through the woods and over -the plain, and elicited screams of surprise from sundry -scared monkeys who were on the branches of a tree -close by us. I saw the huge beast helplessly tottering -till he finally threw up his trunk, and fell in a dead -mass at the foot of a tree. Then the black body of -Aboko rose; the snake-like creature had become a man -again. A wild hurrah of joy escaped from us; I waved -my old hat, and threw it into the air, and we all made -a run for the elephant. When we arrived, there stood -Aboko by the side of the huge beast, calm as if nothing -had happened, except that his body was shining with -sweat. He did not say a word, but looked at me, and -then at the beast, and then at me again, as if to say: -"You see, Chaillu, you did right to send me. Have -I not killed the elephant?"</p> - -<p>The men began to shout with excitement at such -a good shot. "Aboko is a man," said they, as we -looked again at the beast, whose flesh was still quivering -with the death agony. Aboko's bullet had entered -his head a little below the ear, and, striking the brain, -was at once fatal.</p> - -<p>Aboko began to make fetich-marks on the ground<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_138" id="Page_138">[138]</a></span> -around the body. After this was done we took an axe, -which Fasiko had carried with him, and broke the -skull, in order to get out the two tusks, and very large -tusks they were.</p> - -<p>Of course we could not carry off the elephant, so -Aboko and I slept that night near our prize on the -grass and under the tree. Niamkala and Fasiko had -started for the camp to tell the men the news, and -the next morning all the men hurried out. While -quietly resting under the shade of a tree close to the -elephant, I spied them coming. As soon as they recognised -us they shouted, and, when near enough, they -made a spring at Aboko and then at the elephant. All -the cutlasses, all the axes and knives that were in the -camp, had been sharpened and brought out. Then -the cutting up of the elephant took place. He was not -very fat. What a huge beast he was! What a huge -liver he had! What an enormous heart, too!</p> - -<p>The trunk, being considered a choice morsel, was cut -into small pieces. The meat was to be smoked -immediately, and then carried to Sangatanga, to be -sold and given away. Great bargains were looming -before the men's eyes; they were all to get rich by -selling the elephant's meat.</p> - -<p>I never saw men more happy than these poor -fellows were. The negroes believe in eating. Mine -ate nothing but meat, and they ate such quantities of -it that several of them got sick, and I was obliged to -give them laudanum in brandy to cure them. They -almost finished my little stock of brandy.</p> - -<p>The camp was full of meat, and as we had no salt, -the odour that came from it was not particularly agreeable. -Indeed, I had to have a separate shanty built on -one side, and to the windward of the camp. I could -not stand the stench.</p> - -<p>At night the negroes lay around the fires, the jolliest<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_139" id="Page_139">[139]</a></span> -of mortals, drinking palm-wine, which they made -regularly from the neighbouring palm-trees, and -smoking tobacco when I was generous enough to -give them some. In fact, they were as honest a set -of negroes as I had met with anywhere, really good -fellows.</p> - -<p>As time passed on you must not think that I did -nothing but kill animals. I rambled through the -forest, and studied everything I saw. Sometimes, -when too far away from the camp, and after a day of -hard hunting, I slept soundly under a tree by the side -of a big fire, with my gun by my side. I thought I -would go hunting one day for wild animals; on -another, for birds; and, when too tired to travel, I -would remain in the camp, sleeping sweetly on my -primitive couch, which consisted of a couple of mats -spread on the bare and soft earth, with a thick blanket -for cover, the foliage of a tree and the blue starlit sky -being my canopy and roof. I had given up sleeping -upon bare sticks, finding it too hard.</p> - -<p>As fresh boar tracks had been seen near the camp, -I could not resist the temptation of having another -hunt after that savage beast. However tired I might -be, I could hardly keep still whenever news came that -game was near us. I was always in the hope of finding -some new animal or something curious to stuff and -bring home, to show what I had done.</p> - -<p>We had not gone far when we heard, to the right -of us, the grunting of some wild boars. As they are -very wild, we jumped hastily behind a fallen tree to -hide ourselves. In our haste to do this, I heedlessly -stepped on something in my path, and, looking down, -found I was running upon an immense serpent, a huge -python, which lay snugly coiled up beside the tree. -Happily, he was in a state of stupefaction, consequent, -probably, on having eaten too heavy a dinner. He<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_140" id="Page_140">[140]</a></span> -scarcely moved, and did not raise his head. I ran to -Niamkala, and borrowed a kind of heavy cutlass which -he carried with him, and with a blow of this I cut the -python in two pieces, which instantly began to squirm -about in a very snaky and horrible way. During his -death-struggle the monster disgorged the body of a -young gazelle, which was in a half digested condition. -This python was not quite twenty feet long—a pretty -good-sized one, you may judge.</p> - -<p>The noise we made in killing the snake of course -frightened the wild pigs. We pursued them, and -succeeded, by good management, and after a hard -chase of an hour, in coming up with the herd. They -were ten in number, and we managed to bag two. -They were not very large. Besides these pigs, my -hunters carried the two halves of the serpent to the -camp. We were received there with demonstrations of -joy. They made a kind of soup with the boa, and -seemed to relish it very much. I did not taste it, and -can therefore say nothing against it.</p> - -<p>I never saw a country like this for game. There -was so much prairie land that it reminded me of -Southern Africa. The contrast with the great forest, -where I had travelled for days without seeing anything, -was very great.</p> - -<p>For a few days I remained quiet in the camp. The -men had in the meantime been hunting and exploring -in various directions. As they reported that great -herds of buffaloes frequented every night a prairie -situated about ten miles from our camp, I determined -to have a hunt for them. I was very fond of buffaloes, -at least of their meat.</p> - -<p>We set out and left our camp just before sunset. -Our route was through the midst of prairie land, and -by eight o'clock in the evening we reached the forest -beyond. There we hoped to find our game; and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_141" id="Page_141">[141]</a></span> -securing for ourselves safe hiding-places in the woods -on the edge of the plain, we lay down and waited. -Now, waiting is generally tedious, but waiting in a -cold night from eight to two o'clock, every moment -expecting that which does not come, is apt to try one's -patience severely. Mine was entirely gone, and I -wished myself comfortably under my blanket in camp, -when suddenly the buffaloes came. Aboko heard them -coming, and presently a herd of about twenty-five -animals emerged from the woods, and scattered -quietly about the grassy plain.</p> - -<p>The moon was going down, and we could see from -our hiding-places the long shadows of the buffaloes, -silently gliding one way or another, but never near -enough to us for a shot. Soon they felt quite at ease, -and began feeding, ever and anon gambling sportively -with one another. Seeing them engaged, we crawled -towards them slowly and with great care. We had -almost got within safe range when a sudden change of -wind discovered us to them. They snuffed up the air -suspiciously, and instantly gathering together, they -disappeared in the woods.</p> - -<p>There was ill luck! My hunters cursed in Shekiani, -and I grumbled in several languages. But there was -still hope. Silently we crawled back to our lair, and -waited patiently for two mortal hours; when at last -two—a bull and a cow—stalked leisurely into the fields -and began to crop the grass. It was now dark. The -moon had gone down, leaving us only the uncertain -light of the stars. We watched the motions of the -buffaloes until we thought we could venture, and -then silently crawled towards them again. This time -we got within range. I chose the bull for my shot, and -Niamkala took the cow, while Aboko was ready to -second me with his gun in case I should not kill my -animal. We fired both at once, and by good luck, for<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_142" id="Page_142">[142]</a></span> -the light was not enough to afford a chance for a fair -shot, both the animals fell down dead.</p> - -<p>Daylight soon appeared, and we resolved to return to -the camp and send men to bring in the meat, thinking -that no wild beasts would trouble our prizes at such -unseasonable hours. Aboko and Niamkala first cut off -the bushy tails of black glossy hair, and then we made -for the camp, where they showed to our companions -these trophies of our chase. The men made haste, and -reached the place early, but not before the cow was -half eaten by a hungry leopard. The poor leopard who -ventured out so early in the morning must have been -nearly famished. I did not grudge him his meal, -though I should have liked to watch for him and shoot -him, had I thought of his coming, for I had plenty of -friends to whom I could have given his skin on my -return.</p> - -<p>A few days afterwards we broke up our camp, and -loaded ourselves with the birds and beasts I had killed -and prepared, and also with the meat which my men -had smoked; and all the time they were boasting of -how much tobacco and other dainties they would get -for this. They seemed very jolly, though groaning -under their burdens; and I was pleased to see them so -happy. The specimens of the <i>Bos brachicheros</i> were -an inconvenient load, and I was obliged to be very -careful with them.</p> - -<p>When I reached Sangatanga I found that the king -was in worse health than he was when I had left. He -was alarmed, fearing he would die. He remarked that -it was singular he had been taken worse immediately -after my departure; and that, in fact, he grew sick on -the very night when I slept in his house.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_143" id="Page_143"></a></span></p> - -<div class="figcenter6"><a name="Fishing"><img src="images/fish.png" width="550" -height="433" alt="" title="" /></a> -<div class="caption">FISHING.</div></div> - -<h2 id="XIX">CHAPTER XIX.</h2> - -<p class="i2 center">A JOLLY EXCURSION PARTY—A RACE FOR THE FISHING -BANKS—THE OROUNGOU BURIAL-GROUND.</p> - - -<p class="p2">Not long after we returned from our hunting -expedition, I prepared to go to Fetich Point -on a fishing excursion. For this purpose it -was necessary to have canoes. I had called on -King Bango since I returned, but, remembering -the rats, I had respectfully declined the hospitality of -his palace. Nevertheless, he remained my friend and -gave me all the men I wanted.</p> - -<p>I not only wanted to fish, but I also wished to see<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_144" id="Page_144">[144]</a></span> -the burial-ground of the Oroungous, which is not far -from Fetich Point. There were also some enormous -turtles on Fetich Point, I was told, and I wished to -catch some of them.</p> - -<p>My old hunting friend, Fasiko, had got together a -party of forty men. Besides Fetich Point, I was to -visit the Fetich river, and the end of Cape Lopez. -There being no houses whatever there, the women had -prepared for us a great quantity of powdered manioc, -baskets of ground nuts, sweet potatoes, and bunches of -plantain. We had a very large outfit. Fasiko got -together a lot of mats to sleep upon, and kettles to -cook in, and a great quantity of salt, with which to -salt the fish we hoped to catch. We had several fish-nets -made, of the fibre of a vine. We also had fish-hooks; -and I took an enormous hook to catch sharks. -I always had a hatred of sharks, they are such savage -and voracious monsters.</p> - -<p>We had a great number of baskets. The women -carried these to put the fish in. We did not forget -guns; for leopards lurk in the jungle, on the south -side of the cape, and the boa hangs from the trees, -waiting for his prey. If you got up early there, as -everybody at a watering-place should, you can see huge -elephants trotting down along the beach, and cooling -their tender toes in the surf.</p> - -<p>It was a very jolly party, for Cape Lopez is the Cape -May, or Nahant of Sangatanga. The dry season there -answers to our July, when "everybody that is anybody" -is supposed to be "out of town and down by -the seaside."</p> - -<p>Niamkala and Aboko were of the party; for we were -great friends; and wherever I went they wanted to go -with me. They were slaves of King Bango; but we -had shared the same dangers, we had shared the same -pleasures.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_145" id="Page_145">[145]</a></span></p> - -<p>At last everything was ready. I embarked in the -biggest canoe, which was manned by sixteen oarsmen. -As usual, there was a good deal of shouting and bustle -before we got off. The sails, made with matting, were -unfurled, and we set out across the bay. We had an -exciting race to see which canoe was the fastest. There -was a stiff <i>breeze</i>; but unfortunately the wind was -nearly in our faces, so that our sails were of little use. -The men worked lustily at their paddles, and as they -paddled they sang their wild canoe songs. The morning -was clear and bright, but in the afternoon the sky -became clouded. We reached Fetich Point a little -before sunset; and the men, who seemed as lively and -jolly as could be, at once cast their net, in a way not -materially different from our mode of using the hand-net, -and made a great haul of fish, the principal part -of which were mullets. How beautiful they looked! -They seemed like silver fish.</p> - -<p>The men went immediately in search of firewood. -We lighted our fires; and, having cooked and eaten -our fish, which were delicious, we prepared for a night's -rest by spreading mats upon the sand. It was terribly -cold; for we were not sheltered from the wind, which -went right through my blanket.</p> - -<p>Not far from Fetich Point is the river Tetica, one -of the tributaries of the Nazareth river. The Nazareth -falls into the bay, through a tangled, dreary, and -poisonous track of back country, consisting of mangrove -swamps, like those I have described on the -Monda river, and where, I daresay, no animals, except -serpents, are to be found. There are no human habitations -there.</p> - -<p>In the morning, I wished to see the Oroungou burial-ground, -before starting for Cape Lopez itself. It lay -about a mile from our camp, towards Sangatanga, from -which it is distant about half a day's pull in a canoe.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_146" id="Page_146">[146]</a></span></p> - -<p>It was only by the promise of a large reward that I -persuaded Niamkala to accompany me. The negroes -visit the place only on funeral errands, and hold it in -the greatest awe, conceiving that here the spirits of -their ancestors wander about, and that they are not -lightly to be disturbed.</p> - -<p>Niamkala and I left the camp, and, following the -seashore, we soon reached the place. It is in a grove -of noble trees, many of them of magnificent size and -shape. As I have said, the natives hold the place in -great reverence.</p> - -<p>The grove is by the sea. It is entirely cleared of -underbrush; and, as the wind sighs through the dense -foliage of the trees, and whispers in their darkened, -somewhat gloomy recesses, there is something awful -about the place. I thought how many lives had been -sacrificed on these graves.</p> - -<p>Niamkala stood in silence by the strand, while I -entered the domain of the Oroungou dead.</p> - -<p>The corpses are not put below the surface. They -lie about beneath the trees, in huge wooden coffins, -many of which are made of trees. By far the greater -number were crumbling away. Some new ones -betokened recent arrivals. The corpses of some had -only been surrounded by a mat. Here was a coffin -falling to pieces, and disclosing a grinning skeleton -within. On the other side were skeletons, already -without their covers, which lay in the dirt beside them. -Everywhere were bleached bones, and mouldering -remains. It was curious to see the brass anklets and -bracelets, in which some Oroungou maiden or wife had -been buried, still surrounding her whitened bones, and -to note the remains of articles which had been laid in -the coffin or put by the side of some wealthy fellow -now crumbling to dust. What do you think these -articles were? Umbrellas, guns, spears, knives, brace<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_147" id="Page_147">[147]</a></span>lets, -bottles, cooking-pots, swords, plates, jugs, glasses, -etc.</p> - -<p>In some places there remained only little heaps of -shapeless dust, from which some copper, or iron, or -ivory ornaments, or broken pieces of the articles I have -just mentioned, gleamed out, to prove that here, too, -once lay a corpse, and exemplifying the saying of the -Bible, "Dust, to dust thou shalt return." I could not -help saying to myself. "Man, what art thou?"</p> - -<p>Suddenly I came to a corpse that must have been -put there only the day before. The man looked asleep, -for death does not show its pallor in the face of the -negro as it does in that of the white man. This corpse -had been dressed in a coat, and wore a necklace of -beads. By his side stood a jar, a cooking-pot, and a -few other articles, which his friend, or his heir, had -put by his side.</p> - -<p>Passing on into a yet more sombre gloom, I came at -last to the grave of old King Pass-all, the brother of -the present king. Niamkala had pointed out to me -the place where I should find it. The huge coffin lay -on the ground, and was surrounded on every side with -great chests, which contained some of the property of -his deceased majesty. Many of them were tumbling -down, and the property destroyed. The wood, as well -as the goods, had been eaten up by the white ants. -Among some of these chests, and on the top of them, -were piled huge earthenware jugs, glasses, mugs, -plates, iron pots, and brass kettles. Iron and copper -rings, and beads were scattered around, with other -precious things which Pass-all had determined to carry -to the grave with him. There lay also the ghastly -skeletons of the poor slaves, who, to the number of one -hundred, were killed when the king died, that he -might not pass into the other world without due -attendance.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_148" id="Page_148">[148]</a></span></p> - -<p>It was a grim sight, and one which filled me with a -sadder feeling than even the disgusting slave barracoons -had given me.</p> - -<p>The land breeze was blowing when I returned, and -we started for the sandy point of the cape. It is a -curious beach, very low, and covered with a short -scrub, which hides a part of the view, while the sand -ahead is undistinguishable at a distance from the -water, above which it barely rises. I was repeatedly -disappointed, thinking we had come to the end, when -in fact we had before us a long narrow sand-spit. -Finally we reached the extreme end, and landed in -smooth water on the inside of the spit.</p> - -<p>The point gains continually upon the sea. Every -year a little more sand appears above the water, while -the line of short shrubs, which acts as a kind of dam -or breakwater, is also extended, and holds the new -land firm against the encroachments of old Neptune.</p> - -<p>Among these shrubs we built our camp, and here -for some days we had a very pleasant and lively time.</p> - -<p>The weather was delightful; we had no rain, it being -the dry season, and we were not afraid of the awful -tornadoes.</p> - -<div class="figcenter"><img src="images/illo3.png" width="200" -height="122" alt="" title="" /></div> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_149" id="Page_149"></a></span></p> - -<div class="figcenter6"><a name="Sunrise"><img src="images/sun.png" width="550" -height="428" alt="" title="" /></a> -<div class="caption">TURNING TURTLES JUST BEFORE SUNRISE.</div></div> - - - -<h2 id="XX">CHAPTER XX.</h2> - -<p class="i2 center">OUR CAMP AT POINT FETICH—AN AFRICAN WATERING-PLACE—FISHING, -BUT NOT BATHING—THE SHARKS—CURING -MULLETS, ETC.—TURNING TURTLES—BIRD -SHOOTING—A LEOPARD SPRINGS UPON US.</p> - - -<p class="p2">Our camp presented a very picturesque appearance, -and was unlike the one described a -little while ago, and of which I gave you a -picture. Here each man had built for himself -a cosy shade with mats, which, by the way, are very -beautiful. These mats are about five or six feet in<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_150" id="Page_150">[150]</a></span> -length and three feet wide. We made our walls of -them, so that we were sheltered from the wind. Our -houses looked very much like large boxes.</p> - -<p>As usual, the first day was occupied in making everything -comfortable, and in collecting firewood, which it -was not so easy a matter to find, for the shrubs did not -furnish much, and we had to go far to get it; afterwards -it was made the business of the children to -gather brushwood for the fires; and the poor children -had hard work too.</p> - -<p>We built large <i>oralas</i>, or frames, on which to dry -the fish when salted, or to smoke it by lighting a fire -beneath, in which case the oralas were built higher.</p> - -<p>Some had brought with them large copper dishes, -called Neptunes, which looked like gigantic plates, -in which they were to boil down salt water to get -supplies of salt for salting the fish, and to take home -with them. Some of the women were all day making -salt; when made, it was packed securely in baskets, -and placed near the fire to keep it dry.</p> - -<p>Every day we had some new kind of fish to eat, or -to salt down.</p> - -<p>As for myself, as I have said, I had brought along an -immense shark-hook and a stout rope. The hook was -attached to a strong chain two feet long, so that the -teeth of the shark could not cut the line if they should -swallow the piece of meat or the large fish put on the -hook for a bait.</p> - -<p>There were so many sharks swarming in the waters -about the cape that they were often almost washed -upon the beach by the waves. I never saw such an -immense number. The Chinese, who eat sharks' fins, -would find enough here to glut the Canton market. In -truth, I sometimes trembled when in a canoe at the -idea that it might upset, for if that had happened, in -a short time I should have been seized by a dozen<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_151" id="Page_151">[151]</a></span> -hungry sharks, been dragged to the bottom of the sea, -and there been devoured. These sharks are certainly the -lions and tigers of the water: they show no mercy. -The very sight of them is horrible, for you cannot -help thinking and saying to yourself, "I wonder how -many people this shark has eaten!" There is a superstition -among sailors that whenever there is a sick -person aboard, the sharks will follow the ship, watching -for the corpse to be thrown overboard.</p> - -<p>I confess I felt a hatred for sharks, and while at Cape -Lopez I killed as many of them as I could. Almost -every day you could have seen me in a canoe near the -shore, throwing my shark-hook into the sea, and after -awhile making for the beach, and calling all the men -together to pull with all our might, and draw in my -victim. One day I took a blue-skin shark. He was a -tremendous fellow. I thought we should never be -able to haul him ashore, or that the line would part. -It took us an hour before we saw him safely on the -beach. Now and then I thought he would get the better -of us, and that we should have to let the line go, or be -pulled into the water. At last he came right up on the -beach, and a great shout of victory welcomed him. -Aboko was ready for him, and with a powerful axe he -gave him a tremendous blow that cut off his tail. Then -we smashed his head, and cut his body into several -pieces, which quivered to and fro for some time. In -his stomach we found a great number of fish. If I -remember correctly, he had six or seven rows of teeth, -and such ugly teeth! I pity the poor man whose leg -should unfortunately get caught between them.</p> - -<p>Hardly a day passed that I did not catch some -sharks, and then for a bait I used to put on my -hook a piece of their own flesh, which, like the cannibals, -they ate apparently without any remorse.</p> - -<p>There is another species of shark, of a grey leaden<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_152" id="Page_152">[152]</a></span> -colour, which is shorter and thicker than the blue-skin -shark; it has a broader head, and a much wider -mouth, and is far more voracious. This species is the -most common. It will attack a man in shallow water. -I remember a poor boy who was going to his canoe, -where the water was not up to his knees, when -suddenly, just as he was going to get in, he was seized -by his leg and dragged into the water by one of these -terrible sharks, which had probably been for some -time swimming along the beach watching for prey. In -that country it is dangerous to bathe in the sea, and -I did not attempt to do so. So much for the sharks.</p> - -<p>Every day, on the muddy banks near the mouth of -the Fetich river, we hauled in with our nets a great -quantity of mullets and other fish. These were split -open, cleaned, salted, dried, and smoked, and then -packed away in baskets.</p> - -<p>Sometimes, early in the morning, we went out to -turn turtles. To do this we had to start before daylight. -They came on the beach to lay their eggs in -the sand, which the sea does not reach. There the -heat of the sun hatches them out. I have sometimes -spied these turtles early in the morning coming out of -the water and ascending the beach in a clumsy way, -until they reached the dry spot where they wish to lay -their eggs. After laying them, they manage to cover -them with sand. I should have liked very much to -have seen the young ones come out of the eggs. How -funny the little wee turtles must look! But I have -never been so fortunate.</p> - -<p>One day we caught a turtle which had only three legs; -the fourth had been bitten off, no doubt by a hungry -shark. The wound had got well, and must have been -made long before we caught the turtle.</p> - -<p>Would you like to know how we captured turtles?</p> - -<p>As soon as they see people coming towards them<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_153" id="Page_153">[153]</a></span> -they generally make for the water. Then we rush with -all speed upon the unwieldy turtle, and with one jerk -roll it over on its back, where it lies, vainly struggling -to recover its legs. Then we kill it.</p> - -<p>Hundreds of eggs are sometimes found in one turtle. -I was very fond of them when found in the body, -otherwise I did not like them. They made splendid -omelettes.</p> - -<p>The turtles look very curious when they lie fast -asleep on the water. At such times I am told that, -with great care, they may be approached and captured.</p> - -<p>Besides fishing, we had hunting also. South of the -cape was a dense forest, in which might be found most -of the animals that live in African woods. Several -times we saw elephants on the beach, but we shot -none. I killed a great number of sea fowls, which fly -about there in such flocks as almost to darken the air. -They collect in this way in order to feed on the fish -which are so plentiful.</p> - -<p>One evening, as Aboko, Niamkala, and I were returning -from a fruitless hunt in the woods, we fell in with -larger game. Passing along the edge of the forest we -were suddenly startled by a deep growl. Looking -quickly about, we perceived an immense male leopard -just crouching for a spring upon our party. Fortunately -our guns were loaded with ball. No doubt we -had come upon the animal unawares. In a flash we all -three fired into the beast, for there was no time to be -lost. He was already upon the spring, and our shot -met him as he rose. He fell dead and quivering almost -within a foot of Aboko, who may be said to have had a -very narrow escape, for the leopard had singled him out -as his prey. He was an immense animal, and his skin, -which I preserved as a trophy, is most beautifully -shaded and spotted; in fact there is scarcely a more -beautiful animal than the African leopard.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_154" id="Page_154">[154]</a></span></p> - -<p>At the mouth of the Nazareth the savage saw-fish is -found. It is no doubt one of the most formidable, and -the most terrible of the animals that live in the water.</p> - -<p>I was quietly paddling in a little canoe, when my -attention was drawn to a great splashing of water a -little way off. I saw at once it was a deadly combat -between two animals. All round the water was white -with foam. The cause of this could not be two -hippopotami fighting, for in that case I should have -seen them.</p> - -<p>I approached cautiously, having first made my two -rifles ready in case of an emergency. At last I came -near enough to see an enormous saw-fish attacking a -large shark. It was a fearful combat; both fought -with desperation. But what could the shark do against -the powerful saw of his antagonist?</p> - -<p>At last they came too near my canoe. I moved off -lest they might attack my canoe, for they would have -made short work of my small, frail boat; and a single -blow of the saw-fish would have disabled me. Each -tooth of the saw must have been two inches long, and -there were, I should say, forty on each side; the saw -was about five feet long. In the end, the saw-fish, more -active than the shark, gave him a terrible blow, making -his teeth go right through the flesh of the shark. -Several such blows were quickly delivered, and all became -still, the foam ceased, and the water resumed its -accustomed stillness. I paddled towards the scene, -when suddenly I saw, at the bottom of the river, what -I recognised to be a great shark; it was dead, and lay -on its back, showing its belly. The body was frightfully -lacerated.</p> - -<p>The saw-fish had killed its antagonist, and left the -field of battle, and only the blood of the shark stained -the water.</p> - -<p>In the bay of Cape Lopez, in the month of July, I<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_155" id="Page_155">[155]</a></span> -could see whales playing about in every direction, and -sending water high into the air.</p> - -<p>They come at that time of the year with their young; -and the water of the bay being very quiet, they enjoy -there the sea, and the young whales get strong before -they go into the broad ocean. Very pretty it looks to -see them swimming by the side of the big mothers.</p> - -<p>Year after year the whales came, always in July; but -one year the whalers found them out, and made war -upon them; and now, when July comes, they are no -more to be seen, for the whale is very intelligent, and -knows well the places where he is not safe; so they -look out for some other unfrequented bay wherein to -play and train their young.</p> - -<p>Besides the whale, all the year round can be seen -what the sailor commonly calls the <i>bottle-nose</i>, an -enormous fish, not so big as a whale, but nevertheless -of great size. It is of the whale family.</p> - -<div class="figcenter"><img src="images/illo1.png" width="200" -height="138" alt="" title="" /></div> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_156" id="Page_156"></a> -<a name="Page_157" id="Page_157"></a></span></p> - -<div class="figcenter6"><a name="Tornado"><img src="images/torn.png" width="550" -height="510" alt="" title="" /></a> -<div class="caption">OUR SCHOONER CAUGHT IN A TORNADO.</div></div> - - - -<h2 id="XXI">CHAPTER XXI.</h2> - - -<p class="i2 center">BOUND FOR THE INTERIOR—A SEA VOYAGE—A TORNADO—WE -REACH THE FERNAND-VAZ—SANGALA WISHES -TO DETAIN ME—A NIGHT ALARM—PROSPECT OF A -WAR—ARRAYED FOR BATTLE—A COMPROMISE—MY -COMMI FRIENDS.</p> - - -<p class="p2">I have been a great wanderer. On the 5th of -February, 1857, I was on board of a little -schooner, of forty-five tons burden, bound for -the mouth of a river called Fernand-Vaz. From<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_158" id="Page_158">[158]</a></span> -there I expected to penetrate into the interior. -I was on my way to a wild and unexplored region.</p> - -<p>The name of the schooner was the Caroline. She -was full of provisions and goods for the long journey I -had to undertake; for I intended to make a very long -exploration before my return to America. The captain -was a Portuguese negro, Cornillo by name. The crew, -seven in number, were Mpongwes, Mbingos, and Croomen, -not more than two of whom could understand -each other, and not a soul could properly understand -the captain. A fine prospect for the voyage!</p> - -<p>I got aboard at daylight, and should have been glad -to go immediately ashore again; but, by dint of steady -shouting, and a great deal of standing idle, with a -little work now and then, we got the anchor up just -at dusk. The captain did not like to leave port on -Friday. I told him I would take the responsibility. -He asked what good that would do him if he went to -the bottom. It appears that the Portuguese have the -same absurd superstitions as many of the sailors of -other nations.</p> - -<p>No sooner had we got into the swell than our two -black women, and every man on board (except the -captain), got sea-sick. The cook was unable to get the -breakfast next morning; and the men were lying about, -looking like dying fish.</p> - -<p>We set sail from the Gaboon river, and hoped to get -down to the Commi country in five days. But for four -days after starting we had light wind and a contrary -current; and, on the fifth day, we were caught in such -a storm at sea as I hope never to experience again.</p> - -<p>The steering went on so badly when Captain Cornillo -was below, that I was forced to stand watch myself. I -had been steering for four hours, and had been perhaps -one hour in my berth, when I was awakened from a -sound sleep by the captain's voice, giving orders to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_159" id="Page_159">[159]</a></span> -take down the mainsail. I sprang on deck immediately, -knowing there must be at least a heavy squall -coming. But no sooner did I cast my eyes to the leeward -than I saw how imminent the danger was. A -tornado was coming down upon us. The black clouds -which had gathered about the horizon were becoming -lurid white with startling quickness. It seemed almost -as if they were lit up by lightning. The tornado was -sweeping along and in a moment would be upon us. -As yet all was still—still as death. There was not a -breath of wind.</p> - -<p>I turned to see if the mainsail was down, but found -nothing had been done. The captain was shouting -from the wheel; the men were also shouting and running -about, half scared to death; and, in the pitchy -darkness (for I could not see my hands when held close -before my eyes), no one could find the halliards. In -the midst of our trouble the wind came roaring down -upon us. I seized a knife, determined to cut everything -away; but just then somebody let go the halliards, -and, in the nick of time, the mainsail came half-way -down. The tornado was upon us. The jibs flew -away in rags in a moment. The vessel was thrown -upon her beam ends. The water rushed over her deck, -and the men sang out that we were drowning; as, in -fact, we should have been in a very few minutes. -Happily the wind shifted a little; and, by the light of -some very vivid lightning, we seized on the mainsail, -like men that felt it was their last hope, and pulled it -down, holding it so that the wind should not catch it -again. The vessel righted, and in less than twenty -minutes the squall died away, and was succeeded by a -driving rain, which poured down in such torrents that -in a very short time I was drenched to the skin. The -lightning and thunder were something terrific. I was -afraid of the lightning, striking us as the Caroline had<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_160" id="Page_160">[160]</a></span> -no lightning-rod, and we had powder enough on board -to blow us all to atoms. The deck was so leaky that -even below I could not get protection from the rain.</p> - -<p>The next morning we had no jibs, and our other sails -were severely damaged. To add to our difficulties, no -one on board, not even our captain, knew where we -were. At that time I knew not how to make astronomical -observations. The captain was in the habit of -bringing up, every day, an old quadrant; but about -the use of it he knew as much as a cow does about a -musket.</p> - -<p>At last we made the land. A canoe came on board, -and we asked where we were. We found that we must -be somewhere near Cape St. Catherine, and therefore a -good many miles south of the mouth of the Fernand-Vaz, -the place where I was bound. So we turned about -to retrace our path. Sailing close in shore, when I -passed the village of Aniambia, or Big Camma, the -natives came with a message from their king, offering -me two slaves if I would stay with him.</p> - -<p>I was immovable, for I had set my heart on going -to the Fernand-Vaz river, of which I heard a good deal, -from my friend Aboko, while in the Cape Lopez regions. -As we approached that river, the vast column of water, -pushing seaward, forced its separate way through the -ocean for at least four or five miles; and the water -there was almost fresh, and seemed a separate current -in the sea.</p> - -<p>At last we came to the mouth of the Fernand-Vaz, -and our fame had gone before us. Some of the -Commi people, the inhabitants of the Fernand-Vaz, had -seen me before at Cape Lopez. The news had spread -that I wanted to settle at the village of a chief called -Ranpano; so, as we passed his seashore village, a canoe -came off to ask me to land; but as the breakers were -rather formidable, I begged to be excused.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_161" id="Page_161">[161]</a></span></p> - -<p>Ranpano's men wanted much to hug me; and were -so extravagant in their joy, that I had to order them to -keep their hands off, their shining and oily bodies -having quite soiled my clothes. They went back to -the king to tell him the good news. I kept one of -these men on board for a pilot, being now anxious to -get across the intricate bar, and fairly into the river, -before dark.</p> - -<p>As we sailed along up the river, canoes belonging to -different villages shot out to meet us; and presently -I had a crowd alongside anxious to come on board, and -sufficient almost to sink us. They took me for a slaver -at first, and their joy was unbounded; for there is -nothing the African loves so much as to sell his fellowmen. -They immediately called out their names in -Portuguese: one was Don Miguel, another Don Pedro, -another Don Francisco. They began to jabber away -in Portuguese. Where they had learned this language -I could not tell, unless it were in Sangatanga. I could -not understand them; so I sent my captain to talk -with them. He had some difficulty to persuade them -that I came no such errand as slave-trading. They -insisted that I had, and that the vessel looked exactly -like a slaver. They said we must buy some of their -slaves; they had plenty of them.</p> - -<p>They insisted that I should not go to Ranpano. I -should put up a factory in their place. They belonged -to Elindé, a town just at the mouth of the Fernand-Vaz, -whose king is named Sangala. They praised the -power and greatness of Sangala, and decried poor -Ranpano, until I had to order all hands ashore for the -night, being anxious to get a good quiet sleep to -prepare for the morrow.</p> - -<p>During the night, the men on watch said they heard -the paddling of a canoe coming towards us. What could -it be? Let us be ready. These men might be coming<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_162" id="Page_162">[162]</a></span> -to board us and make war. At length the canoe came -within hailing distance; we shouted to them. (I may -say that the Commi speak the same language as the -Oroungou people—the inhabitants of Cape Lopez.) -They came, they said, with a message from King -Sangala. I recognised the voice of the head man in -the canoe to be that of Nchouga. He was brother of -King Bango of Cape Lopez. Bango had accused -Nchouga of bewitching him, whereupon the latter, to -save his life, fled from the country; and having married -one of the daughters of Sangala, he came to his father-in-law -for protection.</p> - -<p>Nchouga was a very cunning fellow; fortunately I -knew him well, and he could not fool me so easily as -he thought. He came to tell me that Sangala was the -master of all the river; that he was a very great king; -that he would not let me go to Ranpano, who was only -a vassal of the great Sangala; therefore, he advised -me as a friend—an old friend—to go ashore at Elindé.</p> - -<p>I could read the cunning rogue. He had been one -of the greatest rascals of Cape Lopez, and his slave -dealings had not improved him. So I sent Nchouga -off; I wanted to go to sleep. He had come out to -test me; they thought I was a green hand at slave-trading.</p> - -<p>Early next morning Sangala sent off a boat for me. -On my arrival at Elindé, which village was about two -miles from the river's mouth, I was conducted to the -best house. Hither presently came King Sangala, who, -in order to nerve himself for the occasion, had got -drunk, and came attended by a great crowd of eager -subjects. He grew very angry when I stated my intention -of passing up the river, and going to Ranpano, -and also into the interior. He declared that I should -not go; he was the big king there and everywhere all -over the world, and I must settle in his town.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_163" id="Page_163">[163]</a></span></p> - -<p>I declared that I should go on. Sometimes I wonder -that they did not at once make me a prisoner.</p> - -<p>We had some sharp words, and I explained to his -majesty that I was an old African traveller, and saw -through all his lies; that he was not the big king of -the country, as he said. Then he said I might go -wherever I liked, provided I would have a factory built -in his village.</p> - -<p>I said that I had no factory to build in his village; -but I offered to "dash" him (give him some presents).</p> - -<p>He refused this offer; and now Ranpano, having just -come, assured me that I should be backed up. I told -Sangala I should force my way up. Sangala and all his -people shouted with all their might that there should -be war; Sangala, as he got up to say so, reared and -tumbled down, he was so drunk.</p> - -<p>So I left Sangala. By that time it rained so hard -that no one followed us. It is wonderful how a crowd -is dispersed by a shower of rain.</p> - -<p>A great palaver was looming up; the excitement had -spread over the country. In the meantime I had -succeeded in going to Ranpano's village, situated up -the river, five or six miles above Elindé. Ranpano -gave me as much land as I wanted. My goods must -come to his village; but it seemed that they could not -be brought there without great trouble. Our canoes -would be attacked by Sangala's people. Men would be -killed; and we might be routed, unless we had a powerful -force.</p> - -<p>One morning the war drums beat. All Ranpano's -friends had gathered to help fight Sangala. Canoe -after canoe came in loaded with armed men, with drums -beating, and all hands shouting, and waving their -swords, guns, and spears. All were prepared to assist -Ranpano's white man; all were anxious to burn and -plunder Elindé, ready even to die in the undertaking.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_164" id="Page_164">[164]</a></span> -There was King Ritimbo, with two canoes and fifty -men; King Mombon, from Sanguibiuri, also had two -canoes; altogether we had no less than twenty big -canoes, and could muster about three hundred men, -most of whom were drunk on <i>mimbo</i> (palm-wine), and -as noisy and as ready for fight as drunkenness will -make an African. The drums were beaten, war songs -were sung, and guns fired, as we paddled down the -river. All hands had their faces painted white, which -is a sign of war; and were covered with fetiches and -other amulets. The white chalk or ochre was a sovereign -protection against danger, and their war fetiches -would prevent them from being killed. I could not -recognise old Ranpano, his body was so daubed with -paint.</p> - -<p>One would have supposed these terrible fellows were -bent upon the most bloody of raids. I wondered -if all this uproar would end in smoke; I thought it -would; nor was I disappointed. As these terrible -warriors approached the village of Elindé they became -less demonstrative. When they came in sight of -Sangala's town, they pushed over to the other shore, -out of the way, and took care to keep the Caroline -between the enemy and themselves. The sight of -Sangala's warriors had wrought a wonderful change in -their warlike feelings. They really began to think -that there might be some fighting.</p> - -<p>We found that Sangala had also gathered his friends, -and had about one hundred and fifty men ready for -the fight, who probably felt about as courageous as my -men did. These fellows were painted more outrageously -than mine, having red as well as white applied in -broad stripes. They looked like so many devils shouting -and firing guns, each side knowing their mutual -lack of courage, and thinking it prudent to scare the -other in advance.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_165" id="Page_165">[165]</a></span></p> - -<p>My men fired guns, sung, and danced war dances. -I went on board my schooner. One small canoe on -Sangala's side, with two men, who were unarmed, -started from the shore towards us. This of course meant -a palaver; they came on board of the Caroline, where -I was. I sent word to Sangala, pointing to two little -guns we had on deck, that if he stopped me I would -blow his canoes out of the water with grape-shot, -and would then go and bring a man-of-war to finish -him up. I loaded my guns and pistols before them. -I made my men put good charges into their pieces, -and showed Sangala's men the bag of bullets I loaded -them with, and then sent them back, and awaited the -event.</p> - -<p>I spied them with a glass. As soon as they landed -the people surrounded them; there was a grand -palaver.</p> - -<p>Presently, from Sangala, came a small canoe to ask -me ashore. Sangala sent his Konde (chief wife) to be -hostage for my safety. I determined to go ashore, -and, to show these negroes that I had no fear of them, -I took the woman along with me, to her great joy. -Ranpano and his brother kings protested against my -rashness as they thought it. "Why not keep Sangala's -woman on board?" said they. But I told them it was -not the fashion of white people to fear anything. They -looked at me as if to say, "If you are not afraid we -are." All this had its effect upon them, and Ranpano -and his brother kings were evidently impressed, and so -also was old Sangala when he saw me come with his -wife by my side.</p> - -<p>We met on neutral ground outside his town. His -army was drawn up in battle array, and made a fine -savage display, many of the men wearing beautiful -leopard skins about their waists. They came up to us -at full trot, when we were seated, and made as though<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_166" id="Page_166">[166]</a></span> -they would spear us all; and, if Sangala had not been -close to me, I should have thought it was to be the end -of us all. Ranpano kept whispering in my ears, "Why -did you not keep Sangala's wife on board?"</p> - -<p>But this advance upon us was only a kind of military -salute. Sangala, this time, had become more gentle; -he was not drunk, and, thinking that perhaps there -might really be a fight, he had become very quiet. -He did not wish to push matters to extremity.</p> - -<p>Presently, Sangala said he would let me pass if I -would give him a barrel of rum, a big one. I refused. -I said I had none. He insisted that they must rejoice -and get drunk. He wanted to get drunk for several -days, and drink rum to his heart's content. At last, -the palaver was settled, and I gave him many presents; -and thereafter King Sangala became one of my best -friends.</p> - -<p>Ranpano was delighted; he hugged Sangala; he -swore eternal friendship, and said that he loved him -with all his heart. Sangala returned these compliments. -We made a sign, agreed upon to our men, that -everything was settled. Immediately they fired guns, -embarked in their canoes, and came over to Sangala's -village. They made a fine display, as all their canoes -came in a line, and they were singing their war songs.</p> - -<p>They were met by Sangala's warriors; and they made -a rush towards each other as if they were to have a -real fight, and then all was over and they laughed over -the palaver, and swore that they would not hurt each -other for the world.</p> - -<p>I need not say how glad I was that everything had -ended so well. Captain Cornillo, when everything -looked black, swore that he never would come again to -this wild country; and the crew said I wanted them -all to be murdered.</p> - -<p>I found these Commi very good people. I took<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_167" id="Page_167">[167]</a></span> -ashore canoe after canoe, loaded with goods which -might well tempt these poor negroes sorely. Many of -the things were brought loose to Ranpano's; and yet -not a single thing was stolen, not even the value of a -penny. They were proud that I had come to settle -among them. I was the first white man who had done -so.</p> - -<p>I love these Commi people dearly; and I am sure they -all love me also. They took such great care of me. -Ranpano was a very good king, and he always tried to -please me, and so did his people. Now and then they -did wrong; but these poor people knew no better, and -they were sorry afterwards. Not one would have tried -to do me an injury, and I could sleep with my doors -wide open.</p> - -<div class="figcenter"><img src="images/illo8.png" width="175" -height="120" alt="" title="" /></div> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<div class="figcenter6"><a name="Dancing"><img src="images/dance.png" width="600" -height="373" alt="" title="" /></a> -<div class="caption">AFRICAN BALL. KING OLENGA-YOMBI DANCING.<br /> -<a href="#XXII">CHAP. XXII.</a></div></div> - - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_168" id="Page_168"></a> -<a name="Page_169" id="Page_169"></a></span></p> - -<div class="figcenter6"><img src="images/illo13.png" width="600" -height="133" alt="" title="" /></div> - - - -<h2 id="XXII">CHAPTER XXII.</h2> - -<p class="i2 center">I BUILD A VILLAGE, AND CALL IT WASHINGTON—I START -FOR THE INTERIOR—MY SPEECH ON LEAVING—THE -PEOPLE APPLAUD ME VOCIFEROUSLY, AND PROMISE TO -BE HONEST—WE REACH ANIAMBIA—THE "BIG KING," -OLENGA-YOMBI—A ROYAL BALL IN MY HONOUR—THE -SUPERSTITIONS OF THE NATIVES—A MAN TOSSED BY A -BUFFALO.</p> - - -<p class="p2">I immediately began building a substantial -settlement, not an <i>olako</i>. I collected from a -kind of palm tree a great many leaves, with -which to cover the roofs of the buildings I -had to construct. I gathered also a great quantity of -branches from the same palm trees, and sticks, and -poles, and all that was necessary to make a house; -and finally I succeeded in building quite a village, -which I called Washington. My own house had five -rooms; it was forty-five feet long by twenty-five wide, -and cost me about fifty dollars. My kitchen, which -stood by itself, cost four dollars. I had a fowl-house,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_170" id="Page_170">[170]</a></span> -containing a hundred chickens (and such nice little -tiny chickens they are in that country) and a dozen -ducks. My goat-house contained eighteen goats, and -funny goats they were. You had to milk a dozen of -them to get a pint of milk. I built a powder-house -separate, for I do not like to sleep every day in a place -where there is powder. I had a dozen huts for my -men.</p> - -<p>This was Washington in Africa, a very different place -from Washington in America.</p> - -<p>At the back of my village was a wide extent of -prairie. In front was the river Npoulounai winding -along; and I could see miles out on the way which -I was soon to explore. The river banks were lined -with the mangrove trees; and, looking up stream, I -could at almost any time see schools of hippopotami -tossing and tumbling on the flats or mud banks.</p> - -<p>I was now ready to explore the country, and go to -Aniambia, where the big king of the country lived. I -bought a splendid canoe, made of large trees, which I -hoped would be serviceable to me in my up-river explorations. -I was now anxious to be off.</p> - -<p>Before starting I called Ranpano and all his people -together, and said that I had perfect confidence in -them; that I was their white man, and had come to -them through much difficulty and many dangers. -(Cheers.) That Sangala's people wanted me, but I -was determined to live with the honest folks of Biagano -(Ranpano's village). (Tremendous applause.) That -I was going away for a few days, and hoped to find -my goods all safe when I came back.</p> - -<p>At this, there were great shoutings of "You can -go! Do not fear! We love you! You are our white -man! We will take care of you!" and so on; amid -which my sixteen men seized their paddles, and shoved -off.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_171" id="Page_171">[171]</a></span></p> - -<p>At nine in the evening, the moon rose; and we -pulled along through what seemed a charming scene. -The placid stream was shaded by the immense trees -which overhung its banks; and the silence was broken, -now and then, by the screech of some night-prowling -blast, or, more frequently, by the sudden plunge of a -playful herd of hippopotami, some of which came very -dangerously near us, and might have upset our canoe.</p> - -<p>Towards midnight, my men became very tired, and -we went ashore, at a little village which was nearly -deserted. We could find only three old women, who -were fast asleep and were not particularly anxious to -make us welcome. I was too sleepy to stand upon -ceremonies, and stowed myself away under a rough -shed without walls. I had scarcely lain down, when -there came up, suddenly, one of those fierce tornadoes -which pass over these countries in the rainy season.</p> - -<p>Fortunately, it was a dry tornado. In my half-sleepy -state I did not care to move. As the tornado had unroofed -every other shed as well as mine, nothing would -have been gained by moving, even if it had rained.</p> - -<p>The next morning we paid for our lodging, not in -hard cash, but with some leaves of tobacco, and up the -river we paddled until we reached a village called -Igala Mandé, which is situated on the banks of the -river. In a two hours' walk through grass fields we -found numerous birds. One, in particular, was new to -me, the <i>Mycteria senegalensis</i>. It had such long legs -that it fairly outwalked me. I tried to catch it; but, -though it would not take to its wings, it kept so far -ahead that I did not even get a fair shot at it. This -<i>Mycteria senegalensis</i> is a beautiful bird, and wanders -here through the grass of the prairie.</p> - -<p>There were also great flocks of a beautiful bird, whose -dark golden body-plumage and long snow-white downy -necks make a very fine and marked contrast with the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_172" id="Page_172">[172]</a></span> -green grass. Next to these, in point of number, was -the snow-white <i>egretta</i>, which is found in vast flocks -all along this coast.</p> - -<p>At last we came to Aniambia. Olenga-Yombi, the -king, came in from his plantation when he heard the -joyful news that a white man had arrived. I paid -him a state visit. He was a drunken old wretch, surrounded -by a crowd of the chief men of the town. His -majesty had on a thick overcoat, but no trousers; and, -early as it was, he had already taken a goodly quantity -of palm-wine, and was quite drunk. I was invited to -sit at his right hand.</p> - -<p>King Olenga-Yombi was one of the ugliest fellows I -ever met with. He always carried with him a long -stick; and when drunk he struck at his people right -and left, and shouted, "I am a big king!" Happily, -they managed to keep out of his way.</p> - -<p>At nightfall I got a guide, and went out to see if I -could get a shot at something larger than a bird. We -had gone but a little way, when my guide pointed out -to me a couple of bright glowing spots, visible through -a piece of thick brush. The fellow trembled, as he -whispered "Leopard!" But I saw at once that it was -only the light of a couple of fireflies which had got in -proper position to make a tolerable resemblance to the -glowing eyes of the dreaded leopard.</p> - -<p>I did not think much of the bravery of my guide. -What a difference between him and Aboko, Niamkala, -or Fasiko! I wished that I had them with me.</p> - -<p>At two o'clock in the morning we at last heard a -grunting, which announced the approach of a herd of -wild hogs. I lay in wait for them, and I was fortunate -enough to kill the big boar of the pack. The rest -of the herd made off without showing a desire for fight.</p> - -<p>The next day, King Olenga-Yombi held a grand -dance in my honour. All the king's wives, to the num<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_173" id="Page_173">[173]</a></span>ber -of forty, and all the women in the town and neighbourhood -were present.</p> - -<p>Fortunately, the dance was held out in the street, -and not in a room, as at Cape Lopez. The women were -ranged on one side, the men opposite. At the end of -the line sat the drummers, beating their huge tom-toms, -which make an infernal din, enough to make one -deaf; and, as if for this occasion the tom-toms were -not entirely adequate, there was a series of old brass -kettles, which also were furiously beaten. In addition, -as if the noise was not yet enough, a number of -boys sat near the drummers, and beat on hollow pieces -of wood. What beauty they found in such music I -cannot tell. There was of course singing and shouting; -and the more loudly and energetically the horrid drums -were beaten, and the worse the noise on the brass kettles, -the wilder were the jumps of the male Africans, and -the more disgusting the contortions of the women.</p> - -<p>As may be imagined, to beat the tom-tom is not a -labour of love; the stoutest negro is worn out in an -hour; and for such a night's entertainment as this, a -series of drummers was required.</p> - -<p>The people enjoyed it vastly; their only regret was -that they had not a barrel of rum in the midst of the -street, with which to refresh themselves in the pauses -of the dance; but they managed to get just as drunk -on palm-wine, of which a great quantity was served -out.</p> - -<p>The excitement became greatest when the king -danced. His majesty was pretty drunk, and his jumps -were very highly applauded. His wives bowed down -to his feet while he capered about, and showed towards -him the deepest veneration. The drums and kettles -were belaboured more furiously than ever, and the -singing, or rather the shouting, became stentorian.</p> - -<p>Of course I did not think his majesty's party pleasant -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_174" id="Page_174">[174]</a></span> -enough to detain me all night. I retired, but could -not sleep.</p> - -<p>Now I think I have given you a sufficient account of -a ball at Aniambia, and of how his majesty Olenga-Yombi -danced.</p> - -<p>There are two very curious fetich-houses in Aniambia, -which enjoy the protection of two spirits of great power—Abambou -and Mbiuri. The former is an evil spirit, -a kind of devil; the latter, as far as I have been able to -ascertain, is beneficent.</p> - -<p>The little houses where these spirits sometimes condescend -to come and sleep for the night were about six -feet square. In the house of Abambou I saw a fire, -which I was told was never permitted to go out. I saw -no idol, but only a large chest, on the top of which -were some white and red chalk and some red parrot-feathers. -The chalk was used to mark the bodies of -the devout.</p> - -<p>Abambou is the devil of the Commi people. He is a -wicked and mischievous fellow, who often lives near -graves and burial-grounds, and is most comfortably -lodged among the skeletons of the dead. He takes -occasional walks through the country, and, if he gets -angry at anyone, he has the power to cause sickness -and death. The Commi people cook food for him, -which is deposited in lonely places in the woods, and -there they address him in a flattering manner, and ask -him to be good to them, and, in consideration of -their gifts, and of the great care they take of him, to -let them alone. I was present once at a meeting -where Abambou was being addressed in public. They -cried continually: "Now we are well! Now we are -satisfied! Now be our friend, Abambou, and do not -hurt us!"</p> - -<p>The offerings of plantain, bananas, sugar-cane, -ground-nuts, etc., etc., are wrapped in leaves by the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_175" id="Page_175">[175]</a></span> -free men, but the slaves lay them on the bare ground. -Sometimes Abambou is entreated to kill the enemies of -him who is making the offering. A bed is made in -Abambou's house, and there he is believed to rest himself -sometimes, when he is tired going up and down -the coast in the forest.</p> - -<p>Mbiuri, whose house I next visited, is lodged and -kept much in the same way as his rival. He is a good -spirit, but his powers are like those of Abambou, as -far as I could make out. Not being wicked, he is less -zealously worshipped.</p> - -<p>These Commi people are full of superstition. They -believe in a third and much-dreaded spirit, called -Ovengua. This is a terrible catcher and <i>eater</i> of men. -He is not worshipped, and has no power over disease; -but he wanders unceasingly through the forests, and -catches and destroys luckless travellers who cross his -path. By day he lives in dark caverns, but at night he -roams freely, and even sometimes gets into the body -of a man, and beats and kills all who come out in the -dark. Sometimes, they relate, such a spirit is met and -resisted by a body of men, who wound him with spears, -and even kill him. In this case the body must be -burned, and not even the smallest bone left, lest a new -Ovengua should arise from it. There are many places -where no object in the world would induce a Commi -negro to go by night, for fear of this dreadful monster.</p> - -<p>They have a singular belief that when a person dies -who has been bewitched, the bones of his body leave -the grave one by one, and form in a single line united -to each other, which line of bones gradually becomes -an Ovengua.</p> - -<p>It is not an easy matter to get at the religious -notions of these people. They themselves have no -well-defined ideas of them, and on many points they -are not very communicative.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_176" id="Page_176">[176]</a></span></p> - -<p>I suppose they think that sometimes the Ovengua is -in a man; hence they kill him and burn his body.</p> - -<p>Of course the Commi people, like all other negroes, -are firm believers in witchcraft.</p> - -<p>Not very far from Aniambia, there is a place in the -forest which is supposed to be haunted by the spirit of -a crazy woman, who, some hundreds of years ago, left -her home. They believe that she cultivates her plantation -in some hidden recess in the forest, and that she -often lies in wait for travellers, whom she beats and -kills out of pure malice.</p> - -<p>While at Aniambia I had a great adventure with a -<i>bos brachicheros</i>, which might have ended in a terrible -way. I started out early one day to try and get a shot -at some buffaloes which were said to be in the prairie -at the back of the town. I had been an hour on the -plains with Ifouta, a hunter, when we came upon a bull -feeding in the midst of a little prairie surrounded by -woods, which made an approach easy. I remember -well how beautiful the animal looked. Ifouta walked -round through the jungle opposite to where I lay in -wait; for, if the animal should take fright at him, it -might fly towards me. When he reached the right -position, Ifouta began to crawl, in the hunter's -fashion, through the grass towards his prey. All went -well till he came near enough for a shot. Just then, -unluckily, the bull saw him. Ifouta immediately fired. -It was a long shot, and he only wounded the beast, -which, quite infuriated, immediately rushed upon him. -It was now that poor Ifouta lost his presence of mind. -In such cases, which are continually happening to -those who hunt the <i>bos brachicheros</i>, the proper course -for the hunter is to remain perfectly quiet till the -beast is within a jump of him, then to step nimbly to -one side, and let him rush past. But Ifouta got up -and ran.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_177" id="Page_177">[177]</a></span></p> - -<p>The bull ran faster than he, and in a moment had -him on his horns. He tossed him high into the air, -once, twice, thrice, before I could come up; for, as -soon as I saw what had happened, I ran as fast as I -could to the rescue, and my shouts drew the bull's -fury upon myself. He left Ifouta and came rushing -at me, thinking that he would serve me as he had just -served Ifouta. Master Bull was sadly mistaken. I -took a good aim, and down came the bull, to rise no -more.</p> - -<p>Ifouta proved to be considerably bruised; but, on the -whole, he was more scared than hurt. It was fortunate -for him that the horns of these buffaloes slant -backwards a good deal, and are curved.</p> - - -<div class="figcenter"><img src="images/illo10.png" width="200" -height="117" alt="" title="" /></div> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<div class="figcenter6"><a name="Gorilla"><img src="images/capt.png" width="550" -height="425" alt="" title="" /></a> -<div class="caption">CAPTURING A YOUNG GORILLA.</div></div> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_178" id="Page_178"></a> -<a name="Page_179" id="Page_179"></a></span></p> - - -<h2 id="XXIII">CHAPTER XXIII.</h2> - -<p class="i2 center">CAPTURE OF A YOUNG GORILLA—I CALL HIM "FIGHTING -JOE"—HIS STRENGTH AND BAD TEMPER—HE PROVES -UNTAMEABLE—JOE ESCAPES—RE-CAPTURED—ESCAPES -AGAIN—UNPLEASANT TO HANDLE—DEATH OF "FIGHTING -JOE."</p> - - -<p class="p2">I remember well the day when I first possessed -a live gorilla. Yes, a gorilla that could roar; -a young gorilla alive! He was captured not -far from Cape St. Catherine, and dragged into Washington.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_180" id="Page_180">[180]</a></span> -My hunters were five in number, and were walking -very silently through the forest, when suddenly the -silence was broken by the cry of a young gorilla for its -mother. Everything was still. It was about noon, and -they immediately determined to follow the cry.</p> - -<p>Soon they heard the cry again. Gun in hand, the -brave fellows crept noiselessly towards a clump of wood -where the baby gorilla evidently was. They knew the -mother would be near; and there was a likelihood that -they might encounter the male also, which they dread -more than they do the mother. But they determined -to risk everything, and, if possible, to take the young -one alive, knowing how pleased I should be, for I had -been long trying to capture a young gorilla.</p> - -<p>Presently they perceived the bush moving; and -crawling a little farther on, in dead silence, scarcely -breathing with excitement, they beheld what had -seldom been seen even by negroes. A young gorilla -was seated on the ground, as the picture shows you, -eating some berries, which grew close to the earth. A -few feet farther on sat the mother, also eating of the -same fruit.</p> - -<p>Instantly they made ready to fire; and none too -soon, for the old female saw them as they raised their -guns, and they had to pull triggers without delay. -Happily, they wounded her mortally.</p> - -<p>She fell on her face, the blood gushing from the -wounds. The young one, hearing the noise of the -guns, ran to his mother and clung to her, hiding his -face and embracing her body. The hunters immediately -rushed towards the two, hallooing with joy. -How much I wished that I had been with them, and -been so fortunate as to assist in the capture of a live -gorilla!</p> - -<p>Their shouts roused the little one, who, by this time, -was covered with blood coming from his mother's<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_181" id="Page_181">[181]</a></span> -wounds. He instantly let go of his mother and ran -to a small tree, which he climbed with great agility. -There he sat and roared at them savagely. They were -now perplexed how to get at him. What was to be -done? No one cared to run the chance of being bitten -by this savage little beast. They did not want to -shoot him, for they knew I should never forgive them -for doing so. He would not come down the tree, and -they did not care to climb it after him. At last they -cut down the tree, and, as it fell, they dexterously -threw a cloth over the head of the young monster, -and thus gained time to secure it while it was blinded. -With all these precautions, one of the men received a -severe bite on the hand, and another had a piece taken -out of his leg.</p> - -<p>The little brute, though very diminutive, and the -merest baby in age, was astonishingly strong, and -by no means good-tempered. They found they could -not lead him. He constantly rushed at them, showing -fight, and manifesting a strong desire to take a piece, -or several pieces, out of every one of their legs, which -were his special objects of attack. So they were -obliged to get a forked stick, in which his neck was -inserted in such a way that he could not escape, -and yet could be kept at a safe distance. It must -have been very uncomfortable for him; but it was the -only way of securing themselves against his nails and -teeth, and thus he was brought to Washington.</p> - -<p>The excitement in the village was intense, as the -animal was lifted out of the canoe in which he had -come down the river. He roared and bellowed; and -looked around wildly with his wicked little eyes, giving -fair warning that if he could get at any of us he -would take his revenge. Of course, no one came in his -way.</p> - -<p>I saw that the stick hurt his neck, and immediately -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_182" id="Page_182">[182]</a></span> -set about having a cage made for him. In two hours -we had built a strong bamboo house with the slats -securely tied at such a distance apart that we could -see the gorilla, and it could see out. We made it as -strong as we could, and I was very careful to provide -against every chance of his escaping. In this cage he -was immediately deposited; and now, for the first -time, I had a fair chance to look at my prize.</p> - -<p>As I approached the cage he darted at me; but I -could afford to have a good laugh over him, for I knew -he could not get near enough to bite me. He looked -at me with very savage eyes.</p> - -<p>I named the gorilla Joe—"Fighting Joe." He -was evidently not three years old, but fully able to walk -alone, and possessed, for his age, of very extraordinary -strength. His height was about three feet and six -inches. His hands and face were very black, his eyes -were sunken. The hair on his head was of a reddish-brown -colour. It began just at the eyebrows and came -down the sides of the face to the lower jaw, just as our -beards grow. The whiskers, if we may call them so, -were of a blackish colour. The face was smooth, and -intensely black. The upper lip was covered with short, -coarse hair; I wondered if it was the beginning of a -moustache. I found afterwards that gorillas had no -moustaches. The lower lip had longer hair; and I -wondered also if in time an imperial would grow there. -There were eyelashes too, though these were slight -and thin. The eyebrows were straight. Excepting the -face, and the palms of his hands and feet, his whole -body was covered with hair. On the back, the hair -was of an iron grey, becoming quite dark near the -arms. On the arms, the hair was longer than anywhere -else on the body, as you may see by the -picture.</p> - -<p>After I had looked carefully at the little fellow, and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_183" id="Page_183">[183]</a></span> -knew well that he was safely locked in his cage, I -ventured to approach him to say a few encouraging -words. He stood in the farthest corner; but as I approached, -he bellowed and made a precipitate rush at -me. Though I retreated as quickly as I could, he -succeeded in catching my trousers' legs with the toes -of one of his feet, and then retreated immediately to -the farthest corner. This taught me caution; I must -not approach too near.</p> - -<p>Shall I be able to tame him? I thought I should; -but I was disappointed.</p> - -<p>He sat in his corner, looking wickedly out of his -grey eyes; and I never saw a more morose or ill-tempered -face than this little beast had. I do not -believe that gorillas ever smile.</p> - -<p>Of course I had to attend to the wants of my captive. -My first business in the morning was to attend -on Joe. I sent for some of the forest berries which -these animals are known to prefer, and placed these -and a cup of water within his reach. He was -exceedingly shy, and would neither eat nor drink till I -had removed to a considerable distance.</p> - -<p>The second day I found Joe fiercer than on the first. -He rushed savagely at anyone who stood even for a -moment near his cage and seemed ready to tear us to -pieces. A fine specimen of man-monkey, thought I; -a tiger under the disguise of a gorilla. I wondered -what kind of a cage a full-grown gorilla would require. -I should certainly not care to be his keeper.</p> - -<p>I threw Joe pieces of pine-apple leaves; and I -noticed that he ate only the white part. There seemed -to be no difficulty about his food, as long as it was -gathered from his native woods; but he refused all -other kinds of food. He was very fond of bananas and -ripe plantains.</p> - -<p>The third day Joe was still more morose and savage, -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_184" id="Page_184">[184]</a></span> -bellowing when any persons approached, or retiring to a -distant corner to make a rush upon them.</p> - -<p>On the fourth day, while no one was near, the little -rascal succeeded in forcing apart two of the bamboo -sticks which composed his cage and made his escape. -I came up just as his flight was discovered, and immediately -got all the negroes together for pursuit. -Where had he gone? I was determined to surround -the wood and recapture him. Running into my house -to get one of my guns, I was startled by an angry -growl issuing from under my low bedstead. It was -Master Joe; there was no mistake about it; I knew -his growl but too well. Master Joe lay there hid, but -anxiously watching my movements. I cleared out -faster than I came in. I instantly shut the windows, -and called to my people to guard the door. When Joe -saw the crowd of black faces he became furious; and -with his eyes glaring, and every sign of rage in his -little face and body, he got out from beneath the bed. -He was about to make a rush at all of us. He was not -afraid. A stampede of my men took place. I shut the -door quickly, and left Joe master of the premises. -I preferred devising some plans for his easy capture, to -exposing myself and men to his terrible teeth; for the -little rascal could bite very hard, and I did not care to -have a piece taken out of one of my legs. How to -take him was now a puzzling question. He had shown -such strength and such rage already that I did not care, -and none of my men seemed to care, to run the chance -of getting badly beaten in a hand-to-hand struggle, in -which we were pretty sure to come off the worse. -Meantime, peeping through the keyhole, I saw -Master Joe standing still in the middle of the room -looking about for his enemies, and examining, with -some surprise, the furniture. He seemed to think that -he had never seen such things before. I watched with<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_185" id="Page_185">[185]</a></span> -fear, lest the ticking of my clock should attract his -attention, and perhaps lead him to an assault upon that -precious article. Indeed, I should have left Joe in -possession, but for a fear that he would destroy the -many little articles of value or curiosity I had hung -about the walls, and which reminded me so much of -America.</p> - -<p>Finally, seeing Joe to be quiet, I despatched some -fellows for a net; and, opening the door quickly, I -threw this over his head. Fortunately we succeeded at -the first throw in effectually entangling the young -monster, who roared frightfully, and struck and kicked -in every direction under the net. So fearfully was he -excited that I thought he would die in a fit of rage. -I took hold of the back of his neck; two men seized -his arms, and another the legs; and, thus held by four -men, we could hardly manage Joe.</p> - -<p>We carried him as quickly as we could to the cage, -which had been repaired, and then once more locked -him in. I never saw such a furious beast in my life as -he was. He darted at everyone. He bit the bamboos -of his cage. He glared at us with venomous and -sullen eyes, and in every motion showed a temper -thoroughly wicked and malicious.</p> - -<p>After this Joe got worse than ever; and as good -treatment only made him more morose and savage, I -tried what starvation would do towards breaking his -spirit. Besides, it began to be troublesome to procure -his food from the woods, and I wanted him to become -accustomed to civilized food, which was placed before -him. But he would touch nothing of the kind. How -was I to bring him to America? I could not put an -African forest on board. As for his temper, after -starving him for twenty-four hours, all I gained was, -that he came slowly up and took some berries from the -forest out of my hand and then immediately retreated<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_186" id="Page_186">[186]</a></span> -to his corner to eat them. Daily attentions from me, -for a fortnight more, did not bring me any further -confidence from him than this. He always snarled at -me; and only when very hungry would he take even -his choicest food from my hand.</p> - -<p>At the end of this fortnight I came one day to feed -him, and found that he had gnawed a bamboo to -pieces slily, and again made his escape. Luckily -he had but just gone, for as I looked around I caught -a sight of him making off on all fours, and with great -speed, across the prairie for a clump of trees.</p> - -<p>I at once gave the alarm. I called the men up, and -we gave chase, taking with us all the fishing nets. -He saw us, and, before we could head him off, made for -another clump, which was thicker and larger. This -we surrounded. He did not ascend a tree, but stood -defiantly at the border of the wood. About one -hundred and fifty of us surrounded him. As we moved -up he began to yell, and made a sudden dash upon a -poor fellow who was in advance. The fellow ran, and -tumbled down in affright. By his fall he escaped the -tender mercies of Joe's teeth; but he also detained the -little rascal long enough for the nets to be thrown over -him.</p> - -<p>Four of us bore him again, struggling, into the village. -This time I would not trust him to the cage, but -fastened a small chain round his neck. This operation -he resisted with all his might, and it took us quite an -hour to securely chain the little fellow, whose strength -was something marvellous.</p> - -<p>Ten days after he was thus chained he died quite -suddenly. He had been in good health, and ate -plentifully of his natural food, which was brought every -day from the forest for him. He did not seem to -sicken until two days before his death. He died in -some pain. To the last he continued utterly untame<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_187" id="Page_187">[187]</a></span>able, -and after his chain was put on he added treachery -to his other vices. He would come sometimes quite -readily to eat out of my hand, but while I stood by -him would suddenly—looking me all the time in the -face to keep my attention—put out his foot and grasp -at my leg. Several times he tore my pantaloons in -this manner. A quick retreat on my part saved my -legs from further injury, but I had to be very careful -in my approaches. The negroes could not come near -him at all without setting him in a rage. He seemed -always to remember that they captured him, and to -think he had experienced rather too hard treatment -at their hands; but he evidently always cherished -towards me also a feeling of revenge.</p> - -<p>After he was chained I filled a half barrel with hay, -and set it near him for his bed. He recognised its -use at once, and it was pretty to see him shake up the -hay and creep into this nest when he was tired. At -night he always shook it up, and then took some hay -in his hands, with which he would cover himself when -he was snug in his barrel. He often moaned, for his -mother perhaps, at night.</p> - -<p>After Joe died I stuffed his body, and brought his -skin and skeleton to New York, where many saw it. -Around his neck, where the chain had been, the hair -was worn off.</p> - -<p>Poor Joe! I wish he had lived and become tame, -so that I could have brought him home with me to -show the children.</p> - -<p>Now poor Joe can be seen stuffed in the British -Museum.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - - - - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_188" id="Page_188"></a> -<a name="Page_189" id="Page_189"></a></span></p> - -<div class="figcenter6"><a name="Home"><img src="images/hip.png" width="550" -height="424" alt="" title="" /></a> -<div class="caption">HIPPOPOTAMI AT HOME.</div></div> - -<h2 id="XXIV">CHAPTER XXIV.</h2> - -<p class="i2 center">THE HIPPOPOTAMUS—A DUEL—SHOOTING ON THE RIVER—NEARLY -UPSET—A NIGHT-HUNT ON LAND—MY COMPANION -FIRES AND RUNS—APPEARANCE AND HABITS -OF THE HIPPOPOTAMUS.</p> - - -<p class="p2">What have we yonder in the water? A flock -of hippopotami! Their bodies look for all -the world like so many old weather-beaten -logs stranded on a mud-bank or a sand-bar.</p> - -<p>Every thing was still. The sun was very hot, and -all nature seemed to repose. I was concealed on the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_190" id="Page_190">[190]</a></span> -banks of the river, under a very shady tree, watching -them. Suddenly, not far from me, two huge beasts -rose as by enchantment to the surface of the water -and rushed towards each other. Their vast and hideous -mouths were opened to their utmost capacity, showing -their huge crooked tusks, which gave their mouths a -savage appearance. Their eyes were flaming with rage, -and each of them put forth all his power to annihilate -the other. They seized each other with their jaws; -they stabbed and punched with their strong tusks, -lacerating each other in a frightful manner; they -advanced and retreated; now they were at the top of -the water, and now they sank down to the bottom. -Their blood discoloured the river, and their groans or -grunts of rage were hideous to listen to. They showed -little power of strategy, but rather a piggish obstinacy -in maintaining their ground, and a frightful savageness -of demeanour. The combat lasted an hour. It -was a grand sight. The water around them was sometimes -white with foam. At last one turned about and -made off, leaving the other victorious and master of the -field. A few days after, I killed a hippopotamus, and -its thick hide was lacerated terribly. Doubtless it was -one of the beasts I had seen fighting.</p> - -<p>The hippopotamus is found in most of the rivers of -Africa which empty themselves into the Atlantic or -Indian Ocean, but in none but the Nile of those -which empty themselves into the Mediterranean; and -in the Nile it is only met far up the river. Many as -there were of them on the Fernand-Vaz, they were -more numerous on the Ogobai.</p> - -<p>How much sport I have had with them! How -often have I studied their habits! And now I must -give you some account of my encounters with them.</p> - -<p>About five miles above my little settlement at -Washington there was a place in the river shallow<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_191" id="Page_191">[191]</a></span> -enough for them to stand and play around, and there -they remained all day playing in the deep water, -sometimes diving, but for the most part standing on -the shallows, with only their ugly noses or heads -lifted out of the water.</p> - -<p>One fine morning I went towards them. We -approached slowly and with caution to within thirty -yards of them without seeming to attract the slightest -attention from the sluggish animals. One might have -asked himself, "Are they hippopotami or not?" -Stopping there I fired five shots, and, so far as I could -see, I killed three hippopotami. The ear is one of the -most vulnerable spots, and this was my mark every -time.</p> - -<p>The first shot was received with very little attention -by the herd; but the struggles of the dying animal -I had hit, which turned over several times and finally -sank to the bottom, seemed to rouse the others, who -began to plunge about and dive down into deep water. -The blood of my victims discoloured the water all -around, and we could not see whether those who -escaped were not swimming for us.</p> - -<p>Presently the canoe received a violent jar, and, looking -overboard, we perceived that we were in the midst -of the herd. "The hippopotami are coming upon -us!" shouted the men; "they are going to attack -us!" We pulled out of the way as fast as we could, -none of us being anxious to be capsized. It would -have been a comical sight to see us swimming in the -midst of a flock of hippopotami, and some of us, perhaps, -raised up on the back of one as he came to the -surface, or lifted, maybe, with his two crooked tusks in -our body.</p> - -<p>We were soon out of the way, and looking back to -see where were the animals I had killed, I saw -nothing. They had sunk to the bottom, and of the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_192" id="Page_192">[192]</a></span> -three, only one was recovered. It was found two days -afterwards on a little island near the river's mouth. -Seeing this, I resolved never to shoot hippopotami -while they are in the water, for I did not want to kill -these animals for nothing; I wanted their skins and -their skeletons to enrich our museums.</p> - -<p>Some time after Joe had died, I determined to go -on a night hunt after hippopotami. These animals -come ashore by night to feed.</p> - -<p>The Fernand-Vaz runs for many miles parallel with -the seashore, separated from the sea by a strip of -sandy prairie. On this prairie the hippopotamus feeds. -He is sometimes called the sea-horse, for when his head -is out of the water it looks from a distance exactly -like the head of a horse. The "walk" of a herd is -easily discernible. It looks very much like a regular -beaten road, only their immense footprints showing -who are its makers. In their track no grass grows. -They always return by the same path they go out on. -This gives the hunter a great advantage.</p> - -<p>I chose moonlight night, and paddled up to the -vicinity of one of these "walks." There Igala, my -hunter, and I set out by ourselves. I had painted my -face with a mixture of oil and soot, which is a prudent -measure for a white hunter in Africa. The beasts -there seem to have a singularly quick eye for anything -white. I made myself look exactly like Igala. We -both had black faces and black hands. I was dressed -in the usual dark suit of clothes for the night; people -there must not go hunting in light-coloured garments. -We chose the windward side of the track, for the hippopotamus -has a very keen scent, and is easily alarmed -at night, feeling, probably, that on land his sluggish -movements, huge bulk, and short legs have their disadvantages.</p> - -<p>We lay down under shelter of a bush and watched. -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_193" id="Page_193">[193]</a></span> -As yet none of the animals had come out of the water. -We could hear them in the distance splashing about -in the water, their subdued snort-like roars breaking -in upon the stillness of the night in a very odd way. -It was the only noise we heard—no, I cannot say the -only noise, for the mosquitoes were busily buzzing -around, and feeding upon us, taking advantage, -apparently, of our anxiety to keep perfectly quiet.</p> - -<p>The moon was nearly down, and the watch was getting -tedious, when I was startled by a sudden groan. -Peering into the distance, I saw dimly a huge animal -looking doubly monstrous in the uncertain light. It -was quietly eating grass, which it seemed to nibble off -quite close to the ground.</p> - -<p>There was another bush between us and our prey, -and we crawled up to this in dead silence. Arrived -there, we were but eight yards from the great beast. -How terrible he looked! The negroes who hunt the -hippopotami are sometimes killed; I thought that one -of us might be killed also. The animal, if only -wounded, turns savagely upon his assailants, and experience -has taught the negro hunters that the only -safe way to approach him is from behind. He cannot -turn quickly, and thus the hunter has a chance to -make good his escape. This time we could not get -into a very favourable position; but I determined to -have my shot nevertheless, eight yards being a safe -killing distance, even with so poor a light as we had by -this time.</p> - -<p>We watched the hippopotamus intently, looking at -each other as if to say, "Are you ready?" We then -raised our guns slowly. Igala and I both took aim. -He fired and, without waiting to see the result, ran as -swiftly as a good pair of legs could carry him. I was -not quite ready, but fired the moment after him, and -before I could get ready for running (in which I had<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_194" id="Page_194">[194]</a></span> -not Igala's practice) I saw there was no need for it. -The beast tottered for a moment, and fell over with a -booming sound, dead.</p> - -<p>This closed our night's sport, as none of the herd -would come this way while their companion lay there. -So we returned home. Poor Igala remonstrated with -me for not running as he did. It appears that running -was considered one of the chief accomplishments of -the hippopotamus hunter. Our good luck created -great joy in the village, where meat was scarce. The -men went out at daylight and brought the flesh home. -Basket after basket came in, and as each one arrived all -shouted except those who did not eat the hippopotamus. -It is <i>roonda</i> for them. Some of their ancestry -had a long time ago given birth to a hippopotamus, -and if they were to eat any, more births of hippopotami -would come to them, or they would die. These -shouted, "I wish he had killed a bullock instead of -a hippopotamus."</p> - -<p>The meat does not taste unlike beef, but was not so -red. It was rather coarse-grained, and in the case -of this animal it was not fat. It makes a welcome and -wholesome dish. I tried to have some steaks; I must -say they were rather tough, and did not go down -easily. The broth was better, and I enjoyed it very -much. There was something novel in having hippopotamus -soup.</p> - -<p>I have killed a good many hippopotami. It is a very -clumsily-built, unwieldy animal, remarkable chiefly -for its enormous head, whose upper jaw seemed to be -movable, like the crocodile's, and for its disproportionately -short legs. The male is much larger than the -female; indeed, a full-grown male sometimes attains -the bulk, though not the height, of the elephant. In -the larger specimens the belly almost sweeps the -ground as they walk.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_195" id="Page_195">[195]</a></span></p> - -<p>The feet are curiously constructed to facilitate walking -among the reeds and mud of the river bottom, and -swimming with ease. The hoof is divided into four -short, apparently clumsy and unconnected toes; and -they are able, by this breadth of foot, to walk rapidly -even through the mud. I have seen them make quick -progress, when alarmed, in water so deep that their -backs were just at the surface.</p> - -<p>The colour of the skin is a clayey yellow, assuming -a roseate hue under the belly. In the grown animal -the colour is a little darker. The skin of an adult -hippopotamus is from one and a half to two inches -thick on the middle of the back. It is devoid of hair, -with the exception of a few short bristly hairs in the -tail, and a few scattered tufts, of four or five hairs each, -near the muzzle.</p> - -<p>All along the Fernand-Vaz there were scattered herds -of hippopotami; and I used to watch them from my -house. I could see them at any time during the day. -After they have chosen a spot, they like to remain -there day after day, and month after month, unless -they are disturbed, or their food becomes scarce. -These animals consort together in herds of from -two to thirty. They choose shallows in the rivers, -where the depth of the water allows them to have -their whole body submerged when standing. There -they remain all day, swimming off into the deep place, -diving for their grassy food, or gambolling in the -waves. From time to time they throw up a stream of -water two or three feet high. This is done with a noise -like blowing, and it is doubtless an effort to get breath. -It is pleasant to watch a herd peacefully enjoying -themselves, particularly when they have two or three -young ones among them. Some of the little fellows -look very small, and are comically awkward. They -chase each other about the shoals or play about their<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_196" id="Page_196">[196]</a></span> -dams; and I have often seen them seated on the back -of their mother in the water. How careful their -mothers seemed to be when they were swimming -about, and carrying their young in the way I have -described. It is a sight worth seeing; sometimes the -whole herd of hippopotami will disappear for a long -time under the water.</p> - -<p>They prefer parts of the rivers where the current -is not very swift, and are therefore to be found in all -the lakes of the interior. They prefer to be near grass -fields. They are very fond of a particular kind of coarse -grass which grows on these prairies, and will travel -considerable distances to find it. They always return, -however, before daylight. Their path overland is very -direct. Neither rocks nor swamps nor bushes can prove -formidable obstacles to a water beast of such bulk. I have -seen their path lie through the thickest woods. Unless -much pursued and harassed, they are not much afraid -of man. If troubled by hunters they move their -encampment, or go into countries where they can be -more quiet.</p> - -<p>Some of their favourite grass was growing on a little -plain at the back of my house; and several times I -found hippopotami tracks not more than fifty yards -from the house. They had not feared to come as near -as this; though probably, if the wind had been blowing -towards them, they would have avoided the place.</p> - -<p>They always choose a convenient landing-place, -where the bank has a long and easy incline. This -landing-place they use till they have eaten up all the -provender which can be found in that vicinity. Before -going ashore, they watch for an hour, and sometimes -for two hours, near the landing, remaining very quiet -themselves, and listening for danger. The slightest -token of the hunter's presence, or any other suspicious -appearances on such occasions, will send them away -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_197" id="Page_197">[197]</a></span> -for that night. If no danger appears they begin to -wander ashore in twos or threes. I never saw more -than three of a herd grazing together; and, during -their stay ashore, they place more dependence on their -ears than on their eyes. I have watched them closely -in many hunts; and I am sure that the beast walks -along with his eyes nearly shut.</p> - -<p>When playing in the water, this animal makes a -noise very much resembling the grunt of a pig. This -grunt it utters also when alarmed by the approach of -man. When enraged, or suddenly disturbed, it utters -a kind of groan—a hoarse sound—which can be heard -at a considerable distance. They are quite combative -among themselves, as you have seen in the case of the -fight I have described.</p> - -<div class="figcenter"><img src="images/illo8.png" width="175" -height="120" alt="" title="" /></div> -<hr class="chap" /> - -<div class="figcenter6"><a name="Pelicans"><img src="images/peli.png" width="600" -height="374" alt="" title="" /></a> -<div class="caption">MARABOUTS, STORKS, AND PELICANS.<br /> -<a href="#XXV">CHAP. XXV.</a></div></div> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_198" id="Page_198"></a> -<a name="Page_199" id="Page_199"></a></span></p> - -<div class="figcenter6"><img src="images/illo9.png" width="600" -height="131" alt="" title="" /></div> - - -<h2 id="XXV">CHAPTER XXV.</h2> - -<p class="i2 center">VISIT OF KING QUENGUEZA—I PROMISE TO VISIT HIM—THE -KINDNESS OF THE COMMI—THE DRY SEASON ON -THE FERNAND-VAZ—PLENTY OF BIRDS AND FISHES—THE -MARABOUTS—THE EAGLES—A BAD WOUND.</p> - - -<p class="p2">One fine day I was quietly seated in my bamboo -house, and reading over, for the fiftieth time, -the letters of the dear friends who had not -forgotten me, and were so kind as to remember -me in my wandering life in Africa. My attention was -suddenly drawn away by the singing of numerous voices -coming down the river. Soon afterwards there stood -before me, accompanied by Ranpano, a tall venerable-looking -and slender negro of noble but savage bearing; -he was evidently, I thought, a chief; there was something -commanding about his countenance. He was -not very dark. The people who came with him -showed him great respect. This tall negro was Quengueza, -the great king of the Rembo, and the sovereign<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_200" id="Page_200">[200]</a></span> -of the whole up-river country of the Rembo and -Ovenga, the head waters of the Fernand-Vaz.</p> - -<p>He came down in considerable state in three canoes, -with three of his favourite wives, and about one -hundred and thirty men.</p> - -<p>My little black boy, Macondai, brought him a chair; -and after he had seated himself I saluted him, according -to the usual custom, by saying "Mbolo." After -a few seconds he said "Ai." Then he paused a little -while, and said "Mbolo," to which I replied "Ai." -This is the usual mode of salutation in the Commi -country, the host beginning first.</p> - -<p>He looked at me and seemed very much astonished. -He said he expected to see a tall and stout man. He -had heard of me as a great hunter. He was now convinced, -he said, that I must have a brave heart to hunt -as I did.</p> - -<p>Fortunately, Quengueza and I could talk together, -the Commi being his native language.</p> - -<p>He told me there were plenty of gorillas and -<i>nshiegos</i> in his country; and that, if I would come, I -should have liberty and protection to hunt and to do -what I pleased. No one would hurt my people, or -Ranpano's people, or myself, or anybody, added he, -with emphasis, that should come with me.</p> - -<p>I liked the old king at first sight; but I little -guessed then that he would afterwards become so fond -of me, and that I should love him so much. Yes, I -shall remember my good friend Quengueza as long as -I live. Though he is a poor heathen, his heart was full -of love for me, and he possessed many manly and -noble qualities.</p> - -<p>I was so much pleased with King Quengueza's visit -that I sent the kind-hearted old fellow off with his -canoes full of presents of iron bars, brass rods, chests, -etc.; and I gave him goods on trust with which to buy<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_201" id="Page_201">[201]</a></span> -me ebony. He promised me great sport, and an introduction -to some tribes of whom these Commi men -of the seashore knew nothing.</p> - -<p>To do him greater honour my people fired a salute -as he started off, with which he was highly delighted, -as an African is sure to be with noise. He did not -go before making me promise to come and see him as -soon as the rainy season arrived.</p> - -<p>The dry season was now setting in. It was the first -I had spent in the Commi country; and I devoted the -whole month of July to exploring the country along -the seashore, between the Fernand-Vaz and the sea.</p> - -<p>There was quite a change. The birds, which were so -abundant during the rainy season, had taken their -leave; and other birds, in immense numbers, flocked in -to feed on the fish, which now leave the seashore and -the bars of the river's mouth and ascend the river to -spawn. Fish, particularly mullet, were so abundant -in the river that two or three times, when I took my -evening airing on the water in a flat upper-river canoe, -enough mullet would leap into the boat to furnish me -a breakfast the next day. The quantity of fish in the -shallow water was prodigious.</p> - -<p>The breakers on the shore, never very light, were -now frightful to see. The coast was rendered inaccessible -by them even to the natives, and the surf -increased to such a degree, even at the mouth of the -river, that it was difficult, and often impossible, to -enter with a canoe. Strong winds from the south -prevailed, and, though the sky was constantly overcast, -not a drop of rain fell. The thermometer fell sometimes -early in the morning to 64° of Fahrenheit, and -I suffered from cold, as did also the poor natives. The -grass on the prairie was dried up or burnt over; the -ponds were dried up; only the woods kept their -resplendent green.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_202" id="Page_202">[202]</a></span></p> - -<p>I was often left alone in that great prairie with my -cook and my little boy Macondai, and a dear little -boy he was. I felt perfectly safe among the good -Commi. I always had tried to do right with them, -and I had reaped my reward. They loved me, and -anyone who should have tried to injure me would -have no doubt been put to death or exiled from the -country. I shall always remember my little village -of Washington and the good Commi people. When -perchance I got a chill the whole village was in distress. -No one was allowed to talk loud, and everyone would -call during the day and sit by me with a sad face for -hours without saying a word, and, when they went -away, they all expressed their sorrow to see me ill. -The kind women would bring me wild fruits, or cold -water from the spring, in which to bathe my burning -and aching head; and sometimes tears would drop -from their eyes and run down their kind black faces.</p> - -<p>At this season the negroes leave their villages and -work on their plantations. The women gathered the -crop of ground-nuts which had been planted the preceding -rainy season, while the men cut down the trees -for the plantations of the coming year, or built canoes, -or idled about or went fishing. Some of their farms are -necessarily at some distance off. The sandy prairie -is not fit to cultivate, being, in fact, only a deposit of -the sea, which must have taken an incalculable period -of time to form.</p> - -<p>The birds flocked in immense numbers on the prairies, -whither they come to hatch their young; especially -later in the season, when the ugly marabouts, from -whose tails our ladies get the splendid feathers for -their bonnets, were there in thousands; and I can -assure you they were not very easy to approach. I -believe the marabout is the ugliest bird I ever saw, -and one would never dream that their beautiful<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_203" id="Page_203">[203]</a></span> -feathers are found only under the tail, and can hardly -be seen when the bird is alive.</p> - -<p>Pelicans waded on the river banks all day in prodigious -swarms, and gulped down the luckless fish -which came in their way. I loved to see them swimming -about in grave silence, and every now and then -grabbing up a poor fish with their enormous, long, -and powerful bills. If not hungry, they left the fish -in their huge pouches, till sometimes three or four -pounds of reserved food awaited the coming of their -appetite. This pouch, you see, performed the office -of a pocket, where boys, when not hungry, keep their -apples in reserve.</p> - -<p>On the sandy islands were seen now and then flocks -of the <i>Ibis religiosa</i>, the sacred Ibis of the Egyptians. -They looked exactly like those that are found mummified, -and which have been preserved several -thousand years. They are very curious-looking birds; -the head and neck have no feathers. I have tried to -find their nests, but never succeeded.</p> - -<p>Ducks of various kinds built their nests in every -creek and on every new islet that appeared with the -receding waters. Some of them were of beautiful -plumage.</p> - -<p>Cranes, too, and numerous other water-fowls, flocked -in, and every day brought with it new birds. They -came by some strange instinct, from far-distant lands, -to feed upon the vast shoals of fish which literally -filled the river. I wondered if many of these birds -had come from the Nile, the Niger, the Zambesi—from -the interior of Africa, where no one had ever -penetrated, and from the vast plains of South Africa. -What great travellers some of these birds must be! -I envied them, and often wished I could fly away, -supported by their wings. What countries I should -have seen!—what curious people I should have looked -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_204" id="Page_204">[204]</a></span> -at!—and how many novel things I should have found -to recount to you!</p> - -<p>Along the trees bordering the river, sometimes -perched on their highest branches, sometimes hidden -in the midst of them, I could see that most beautiful -eagle, the <i>Gypohierax angolensis</i>, called <i>coungou</i> by -the natives. This eagle is of a white and black colour. -He often watches over the water. How quickly his -keen eyes can see through it! and with what rapidity -he darts at his prey! Then, seizing it in his powerful -talons, which sink deep into it, he rises into the air -and goes where he can devour it undisturbed. These -eagles attack large fish. They generally make them -blind, and then gradually succeed in getting them -ashore, though it is hard work for them. They have -a luxurious time on the Fernand-Vaz river during the -dry season, and are very numerous. They build their -nests on the tops of the highest trees, and come back -to them every year. These nests are exactly like -those you have seen, only larger. They keep very -busy when their young begin to eat. The male and -female are then continually fishing. Strange to say, -they are very fond of the palm-oil nuts. In the season, -when these are ripe, they are continually seen -among the palm trees.</p> - -<p>No wonder these eagles grab fish so easily, they -have such claws! One day, as one passed over my -head, I shot him, and, thinking that he was quite -dead, I took him up, when suddenly, in the last -struggle for life, his talons got into my hands. I -could have dropped down from pain. Nothing could -have taken the claws away; one of them went clear -through my hand, and I shall probably keep the mark -of it all my life.</p> - -<p>On the seashore I sometimes caught a bird called -the <i>Sula capensis</i>, which had been driven ashore by<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_205" id="Page_205">[205]</a></span> -the treacherous waves to which it had trusted itself, -and could not, for some mysterious reason, get away -again.</p> - -<p>Finally, every sand-bar was covered with gulls, -whose shrill screams were heard from morning till -night, as they flew about greedily after their finny -prey.</p> - -<p>It was a splendid opportunity for sportsmen, and I -thought of some of my friends. As for myself, I -took more delight in studying the habits of the birds -than in killing them, and I assure you I had a very -delightful time. I love dearly the dry season in -Africa. I am sure you would have enjoyed it quite as -much as I did, if you had been there with me.</p> - -<div class="figcenter"><img src="images/illo7.png" width="175" -height="101" alt="" title="" /></div> -<hr class="chap" /> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_206" id="Page_206"></a> -<a name="Page_207" id="Page_207"></a></span></p> - -<div class="figcenter6"><a name="Me"><img src="images/me.png" width="550" -height="412" alt="" title="" /></a> -<div class="caption">THE KING RECEIVES ME.</div></div> - - -<h2 id="XXVI">CHAPTER XXVI.</h2> - - -<p class="i2 center">ANOTHER EXPEDITION TO LAKE ANENGUE—DIFFICULT -PASSAGE UP THE RIVER—THE CROCODILES—KING -DAMAGONDAI AND HIS TROUBLES—I BUY AN MBUITI, -OR IDOL.</p> - - -<p class="p2">One fine morning there was a great bustle on -the banks of the river at Washington, where -two canoes were loading. I was about to start -on another expedition. I called King Ranpano and -his people together and gave them charge of my -property; I declared that if anything was stolen during -my absence I should surely punish the thief.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_208" id="Page_208">[208]</a></span></p> - -<p>They all protested that I need not even lock the -doors of my house; and I believed them. The -Biagano people loved me, and did not steal from me.</p> - -<p>Then I counted my ten goats in their presence, and -said that I wanted no leopard stories told me when I -came back. At this they shouted and laughed. They -declared that neither they nor the leopards should touch -my goats.</p> - -<p>I counted the fowls, and told them I wanted no -snake stories about them. Another hearty laugh, and -they all shouted that no snakes should gobble up my -fowls. These matters having been satisfactorily -arranged, I started with my canoes and a well-armed -crew.</p> - -<p>I was bound again for Lake Anengue, where I had -been a few months before. It was now the dry season. -We had armed ourselves well, for fear we might be -interrupted, as some people came up this way to make -plantations during the dry season and might dispute our -advance; I determined to let no man bar the road to me.</p> - -<p>The dry season was at its height, and I found the -Npoulounay shallower than before. There was about -fifteen feet less depth of water in the Ogobai during -the dry season than there was in the rainy season. At -this time the river was covered with muddy or sandy -islands, many of which were left dry. The muddy -islands were covered with reeds, among which sported -the flamingo, a bird not seen here in the rainy season.</p> - -<p>We pulled hard all day, and we slept the first night -on a sandy island of the Ogobai river, under our mosquito-nets, -of which I had laid in a store. These nets, -which the natives also use, are made of grass cloth, -which comes from the far interior, and does very well -out doors, where it keeps out the dew as well as the -mosquitoes, and protects the sleeper against the cold -winds which prevail.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_209" id="Page_209">[209]</a></span></p> - -<p>The next morning, when I awoke, I saw, for the first -time, a fog in this part of Africa; it was very thick, but -the sun drove it off. I sent out my fishing-net, and in -a few minutes the men caught fish enough for supper -and breakfast.</p> - -<p>After our breakfast of fish and plantain, we paddled -on up the stream. Though we had seen a few villages, -we had not met a single canoe on the water, and -nothing human, except a corpse that came down the -river and ran against our canoe. It was probably the -body of some poor wretch who had been drowned on -account of witchcraft. The hands and feet were tied, -so that when they threw him into the water he could -not swim.</p> - -<p>Finally we entered the Anengue; but this river we -found was entirely changed since May. Then it was -a deep, swift stream. Now its surface was dotted with -numberless black mud islands, on which swarmed incredible -numbers of crocodiles. We actually saw many -hundreds of these disgusting monsters, sunning themselves -on the black mud, and slipping off into the -water to feed. I never saw such a horrible sight. -Many were at least twenty feet long; and when they -opened their frightful mouths they seemed capable of -swallowing our little canoes without trouble. I -wondered what would become of us all if, perchance, -our canoe should capsize.</p> - -<p>I determined to have a shot at these crocodiles, -which seemed no wise frightened at our approach. -Making my men paddle the boat quite near to them, -I singled out the biggest and lodged a ball in his -body, aiming at the joints of his fore legs, where the -thick armour is defective. He tumbled over, and, after -struggling in the water for a moment, sank into the -mud. His companions turned their hideous snaky -eyes down at him, in momentary surprise, but did not<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_210" id="Page_210">[210]</a></span> -know what to make of it, and dropped back to their -sluggish comfort. I shot another, but he sank also, -and as my men did not like to venture into the black -mud after them, we got neither.</p> - -<p>As we ascended the stream, it branched off in several -places, and became gradually narrower. Crocodiles were -seen everywhere. At length we found ourselves pushing -laboriously along through a deep crooked ditch, -not more than two yards wide, and overhung with tall -reeds, on which a great number of birds balanced themselves, -as though enjoying our dilemma. We found -this time, to my surprise, a tremendous current -running. In May, the water of the lake had overflowed -its shores, and its regular outlets had therefore no great -pressure upon them. Now, this outlet was choked -with water, which rushed through at such a rate that -at some of the turns in the crooked channel we were -actually swept back several times before we could make -our way ahead. At one point, where the true outlets -joined, we could not pass till I made the men smoke -their <i>condouquai</i>, a long reed pipe, which seems to -give them new vigour; I also gave them a sup of my -brandy. This done, they gave a great shout and pushed -through, and in an hour after we emerged into the -lake, but not without tremendous exertions.</p> - -<p>We now lay on our paddles and gazed about us. On -one side the lake is bounded by hills which come close -down to the shore; on the other side the hills recede, -and between them and the water lies a dreary extent -of low marsh, covered with reeds. Several towns were -in sight, all located on the summits of hills.</p> - -<p>The lake, alas! had changed with the season too. -It was still a beautiful sheet of water; but all over its -placid face the dry season had brought out an eruption -of those black mud islands which we had noticed before, -and on these reposed, I fear to say what number of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_211" id="Page_211">[211]</a></span> -crocodiles. Wherever the eye was turned these disgusting -creatures, with their dull leering eyes and -huge savage jaws, appeared in prodigious numbers. -The water was alive with fish, on which I suppose -the crocodiles had fat living; but pelicans and herons, -ducks and other water-birds, also abounded, drawn -hither by the abundance of their prey.</p> - -<p>Paddling carefully past great numbers of crocodiles, -into whose ready jaws I was by no means anxious to -fall, and past several villages, whose people looked at -us with mute amazement, we reached at last the town -of Damagondai. A great crowd was assembled to receive -us, headed by the king himself, who stood on the shore. -Quarters were provided for me by his majesty, who, a -short time after my arrival, presented me with a goat. -He was dressed in the usual middle-cloth of the -natives, and a tarnished scarlet soldier's coat, but was -innocent of trousers. His welcome, however, was not -the less hearty because the pantaloons were absent.</p> - -<p>His town, which contains about fifty huts, lies on -some high ground, at a little distance from the water. -I distributed presents among the grey-beards, and -beads among the women, and thus put them all in -good humour.</p> - -<p>Damagondai, the king, then insisted that I must get -married to at least two or three women. He was -amazed when I declined this flattering proposal, and -insisted upon it that my bachelor life must be very -lonely and disagreeable.</p> - -<p>The king was a tall, rather slim negro, over six feet -high, and well-shaped. In war, or in the chase, he -had the usual amount of courage, but at home he was -exceedingly superstitious. As night came on he -seemed to get a dread of death; and at last began to -groan that some of the people wanted to bewitch him, -in order to get his property and his authority. Finally<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_212" id="Page_212">[212]</a></span> -he would get excited, and begin to curse all witches -and sorcerers. He would say that no one should have -his wives and slaves; and that the people who wanted -to kill him had better beware; the <i>mboundou</i> was -ready.</p> - -<p>Certainly poor Damagondai must have slept on the -wrong side, as I told him afterwards, for the old fellow -began to lecture his wives, telling them to love him -and feed him well, for he had given a great deal of -goods and slaves to their parents for them, and they -were a constant expense to him. To all this the poor -women listened with respect.</p> - -<p>Damagondai and I were very good friends. I really -don't know why, but, wherever I went, these negroes -seem to take a liking to me.</p> - -<p>In the village of Damagondai there was an <i>mbuiti</i>, -"an idol," representing a female figure, with copper -eyes, and a tongue made of a sharp sword-shaped piece -of iron. This explained her chief attribute; she cuts -to pieces those with whom she is displeased. She was -dressed in the Shekiani cloth, covering her from the -neck down. She is said to speak, to walk, to foretell -events, and to take vengeance on her enemies. Her -house is the most prominent one in the whole village.</p> - -<p>She comes to people by night and tells them in their -sleep what is going to happen. In this way, they asserted, -my coming had been foretold. They worship -her by dancing around her and singing her praises, and -their requests. Sometimes a single woman or man -comes alone to prefer a request; and one evening I saw -the whole village engaged in this rite, all dancing and -singing around her. They offer her sugar-cane and -other food, which they believe she eats. I tried to buy -this goddess, but, ugly as she was, Damagondai said -that no amount of money would purchase her. He -insinuated, however, in a very slight way, that for a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_213" id="Page_213">[213]</a></span> -proper price I might obtain the mbuiti of the slaves. -Then a great council took place with the grey-beards -of the village. The slaves were on the plantations. -They agreed to tell them on their return that they -had seen their mbuiti walk off in the woods, and that -she had not returned. I could hear them laugh over -what they thought to be their clever plot.</p> - -<p>I paid them a good price for it. I packed the -mbuiti up, and took her off with me, and her portrait, -an exact likeness, taken in New York from the idol -itself, is found in my book called "Equatorial Africa."</p> - -<p>I have often thought since how much I should have -enjoyed seeing the return of the slaves to the village. -I should like to know if they really believed that their -mbuiti had left them; if so, there must have been -great wailing and mourning for fear that the wrath of -the mbuiti would come upon them.</p> - -<div class="figcenter"><img src="images/illo10.png" width="200" -height="117" alt="" title="" /></div> -<hr class="chap" /> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_214" id="Page_214"></a> -<a name="Page_215" id="Page_215"></a></span></p> - -<div class="figcenter6"><a name="Hunt"><img src="images/hunt.png" width="550" -height="425" alt="" title="" /></a> -<div class="caption">A CROCODILE HUNT.</div></div> - - -<h2 id="XXVII">CHAPTER XXVII.</h2> - -<p class="i2 center">A VISIT TO KING SHIMBOUVENEGANI—HIS ROYAL -COSTUME—HUNTING CROCODILES—HOW THEY SEIZE -THEIR PREY—THE NKAGO—THE OGATA.</p> - - -<p class="p2">I resolved to embark again on the waters of the -Anengue Lake and make a little journey of -exploration. Damagondai went in the canoe with -me. He was to take me to another king, a friend of his.</p> - -<p>We reached the residence of King Shimbouvenegani, -a king with a long name and a small village. We<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_216" id="Page_216">[216]</a></span> -had to paddle through very shallow water before -reaching this place.</p> - -<p>When we arrived, the king with the long name was -not at his village. We were told he was at his -<i>olako</i>—a place temporarily erected in the woods when -villagers go out to hunt, or fish, or pursue agriculture.</p> - -<p>They had chosen a charming spot in the woods, just -upon the shores of the lake, which here had abrupt -banks. Their mosquito-nets were hung up under -the trees; every family had a fire built, and from the -pots came a fragrant smell of plantain and fish cooking. -The savour was very pleasant to me, for I was -hungry.</p> - -<p>Presently, Shimbouvenegani came up. He was rejoiced -to see me, and thanked his friend Damagondai -for bringing his white man to visit him.</p> - -<p>The appearance of Shimbouvenegani was comical. -He was between sixty and seventy years of age, and -was quite lean. His only garment was a very dirty -swallow-tailed coat, which certainly must have belonged -to the time of my grandfather. The buttons were -all gone. On his head he wore a broad beaver hat, -which dated nearly as far back as the coat itself. The -fur was entirely worn off, and the hat had a very seedy -appearance. But the king seemed very proud when -he made his appearance. He thought his costume -was just the thing, and he looked loftily around, as -if to say, "Am I not a fine-looking fellow?" And -truly, though his dress did not amount to much according -to our notions, I doubt not it had cost him several -slaves.</p> - -<p>He asked me how I liked his costume, at the same -time taking one of the smaller tails in his hand and -shaking it.</p> - -<p>Presently, some large pots of palm-wine were<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_217" id="Page_217">[217]</a></span> -brought, with which all hands proceeded to celebrate -my arrival. Damagondai and Shimbouvenegani soon -got drunk, and swore to each other eternal friendship, -and Shimbouvenegani promised to give one of his -daughters in marriage to Damagondai.</p> - -<p>Meantime, Damagondai had presented me to his -eldest son, Okabi, who resided in the village of Shimbouvenegani. -Okabi arranged a nice little place for -me, with branches of trees, and made a kind of bed -for me. He then gave me his two wives to take care -of me, and to cook for me.</p> - -<p>I had a very agreeable time in hunting while I was -with Shimbouvenegani. It was during my stay there -that I discovered the <i>nshiego mbouvé</i>, of which I will -speak by-and-by.</p> - -<p>We also had a great crocodile hunt, which pleased -the people very much, as they are extravagantly fond -of the meat. Now and then during my travels, for lack -of something better, I have been obliged to eat crocodiles. -I have tried it in all sorts of ways—steaks, stews, -boiled, and broth; but I must say I was never fond of it.</p> - -<p>They killed more or fewer crocodiles every day at -this village; but the negroes were so lazy that they -were glad to have me go and save them the trouble. -Moreover, the crocodile has not much meat on him; -so that, though some were killed every day, the -village was never sufficiently supplied.</p> - -<p>We went in canoes. These canoes on the Anengue -are of very singular construction. They are quite flat-bottomed, -and of very light draught; many of them -are about fifty feet long, with a breadth of not more -than two feet, and a depth of ten to twelve inches. -They are made of a single tree. They are ticklish -craft. The oarsmen stand up and use paddles seven -feet long, with which they can propel one of these -canoes at a very good rate. They are, of course, easily<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_218" id="Page_218">[218]</a></span> -capsized, the gunwale being but a very few inches -above the water; but they do not often tip over. -What surprised me most was the way in which the -negro paddlers stood up at their work all day without -tiring.</p> - -<p>The negroes on the Anengue hunt the crocodile -both with guns and with a kind of harpoon. The -vulnerable part of the animal is near the joints of his -forelegs; and there they endeavour to wound it. -Though so many are killed they do not decrease in numbers, -nor, strange to say, do they seem to grow more -wary. They were to be seen everywhere during the -dry season; when the rainy season comes they disappear.</p> - -<p>As we started out, we saw them swimming in all -directions, and lying on the mud banks sunning themselves. -They took no notice of our canoe at all. As -we were to shoot them we were obliged to look for our -prizes on the shore, for if killed in the water they -sink and are lost. Presently we saw one immense -fellow extended on the bank among some reeds. We -approached cautiously. I took good aim and knocked -him over. He struggled hard to get to the water, -but his strength gave out ere he could reach it, and to -our great joy he expired. We could not think of -taking his body into our canoe, for he was nearly -twenty feet long.</p> - -<p>We killed another which measured eighteen feet. I -never saw more savage-looking jaws; they were -armed with most formidable rows of teeth and looked -as though a man would scarcely be a mouthful for -them.</p> - -<p>We had brought another canoe along, and capsizing -this upon the shore, we rolled the dead monsters into -it and paddled off for the village. Then we returned -to the olako.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_219" id="Page_219">[219]</a></span></p> - -<p>During the heat of the day these animals retire to -the reeds, where they lie sheltered. In the morning, -and late in the afternoon, they come forth to seek -their prey. They swim very silently, and scarcely make -even a ripple on the water, though they move along -quite rapidly. The motion of their paws in swimming -is like those of a dog, over and over. They can remain -quite still on the top of the water, where they may be -seen watching for prey with their dull wicked-looking -eyes. When they are swimming the head is the only -part of the body visible; and when they are still, it -looks exactly like an old piece of wood which has -remained long in the water, and is tossing to and fro. -They sleep among the reeds. Their eggs they lay in -the sand on the island, and cover them over with a -layer of sand. It is the great abundance of fish in -the lake which makes them multiply so fast as they -do. The negroes seemed rather indifferent to their -presence.</p> - -<p>On my journey back to Damagondai's I saw an -example of the manner in which the crocodile seizes -upon his prey. As we were paddling along I perceived -in the distance ahead a beautiful gazelle, looking -meditatively into the waters of the lagoon, of which -from time to time it took a drink. I stood up to get -a shot, and we approached with the utmost silence; -but just as I raised my gun to fire a crocodile leaped -out of the water, and, like a flash, dived back again, -with the struggling animal in its powerful jaws. So -quickly did the beast take its prey that, though I -fired at him, I was too late. I did not think my -bullet hit him.</p> - -<p>After hunting on the water, I thought I would have -a few rambles in the forest near the olako. I killed a -beautiful monkey, which the natives call nkago, whose -head is crowned with a cap of bright red, or rather<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_220" id="Page_220">[220]</a></span> -brown, hair. The nkagos are very numerous in these -woods.</p> - -<p>While walking in the forest I found, near the water, -the hole or burrow of an ogata. This is a species of cayman, -which lives near the pools, and makes a long hole -in the ground, with two entrances. In this hole it sleeps -and watches for its prey. The ogata is very unlike the -crocodile in its habits. It is a night-roving animal, -and solitary in its ways. It scrapes out its hole with its -paws with considerable labour. It lives near a pool, for -the double reason, I imagine, that it may bathe, and -because thither come gazelles and other animals, for -whom it lies in wait. The negroes told me that they -rush out with great speed upon any wandering animal, -and drag it into the hole to eat it. When the negroes -discover one of these holes they come with their guns, -which are generally loaded with iron spikes, and watch -at one end, while a fire is built at the other entrance. -When it becomes too hot the ogata rushes out, and is -shot. I killed one which proved to be seven feet in -length. It had great strength in its jaws, and its -teeth were very formidable. Like the crocodile, its -upper jaw is articulated, and is raised when the mouth -is opened.</p> - -<p>Sometimes fire is put at both ends of the hole, and -the animal is smoked to death. At other times a trap -is made at the end where there is no fire, and when -the ogata rushes out it is ensnared.</p> - -<div class="figcenter"><img src="images/illo4.png" width="175" -height="149" alt="" title="" /></div> -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_221" id="Page_221"></a></span></p> - -<div class="figcenter6"><a name="Mbouve"><img src="images/mbouve.png" width="550" -height="534" alt="" title="" /></a> -<div class="caption">THE NSHIEGO MBOUVÉ.</div></div> - - -<h2 id="XXVIII">CHAPTER XXVIII.</h2> - -<p class="i2 center">THE NSHIEGO MBOUVÉ—BALD-HEADED APES—THEIR -HOUSES IN THE TREES—LYING IN WAIT FOR THEM—WE -KILL A MALE—THE SHRIEKS OF HIS MATE—DESCRIPTION -OF THE ANIMAL—FAREWELL TO SHIMBOUVENEGANI.</p> - - -<p class="p2">AS I was trudging along one day in the woods, -rather tired of the sport, and on the point of -going back to the camp, I happened to look -up at a high tree which we were passing and saw a -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_222" id="Page_222">[222]</a></span> -most singular shelter or home built in its branches. I -immediately stopped and asked Okabi why the hunters -slept in that way in the woods. Okabi laughed, after -looking at me quizzically, and then he told me that no -man had ever built that shelter. He said that it was -made by a kind of man of the woods, called nshiego -mbouvé, an animal which had no hair on the top of its -head. I really thought Okabi was joking. An animal—a -man-monkey—with no hair on the top of his head? -a bald-headed ape? It was now my turn to laugh, for -I did not believe Okabi's story about the bald-headed -animal, though I believed what he said about the -shelter in the tree.</p> - -<p>I saw at once that I was on the trail of an animal -which no civilized man had ever seen before. I no -longer felt tired, but pushed on through the woods -with renewed ardour, and with increased caution, so as -not to alarm our prey. The shelter we had seen was -an old one, which had been abandoned, but we had -a hope of finding another which should be still -occupied.</p> - -<p>We were not disappointed. We soon found two more -shelters. They were about twenty feet from the -ground, and were on two trees, which stood a little -apart from the others, and which had no limbs below -the one on which the nests were placed. This location -for its house is probably chosen by the animals to -secure them at night from beasts and serpents, and -from the falling limbs of surrounding trees. They -build only in the loneliest part of the forest. They are -very shy, and are seldom seen, even by the negroes.</p> - -<p>Okabi, who was an old and intelligent hunter, told -me that the male and female together select the -material for their nest or shelter. It is constructed in -part of the branches of the tree itself, which they -twist in with the boughs of other trees collected by<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_223" id="Page_223">[223]</a></span> -them for the purpose. The shelters I saw had the shape -of an umbrella.</p> - -<p>We concealed ourselves by lying flat on the ground -amidst the bushes near by, and keeping perfectly still. -My patience was sorely tried. Mosquitoes and flies -were continually biting me. Ants now and then were -creeping upon me, and some of them managed to get -under my clothes. Besides, I had some fear of the -bashikonay, or of the white ants, coming to disturb me, -or of snakes creeping upon me. So, as you may -imagine, I was not comfortable, neither had I pleasant -thoughts.</p> - -<p>At length, just at dusk, we heard the loud peculiar -"hew, hew, hew," which is the call of the male to his -mate. I was glad to know I had not waited in vain; -and looking up I saw a nshiego mbouvé sitting under -his nest. His feet rested on the lower branch; his head -reached quite into the little dome of a roof; and his -arm was clasped firmly about the tree trunk. This, I -suppose, is the position in which they sleep. Soon -after his mate came and ascended the tree.</p> - -<p>After gazing till I was tired, I saw that one of the -animals showed signs of being alarmed. Had they -smelt us? had we made a noise that excited their -suspicions? Anyhow, we raised our guns and fired -through the gloom at the one that seemed asleep. I -almost felt sorry for the unfortunate beast, which fell -with a tremendous crash, and died without a struggle. -The other uttered an awful shriek and came down the -tree with the utmost rapidity. I fired but missed the -animal, and in less time than I take to write it the poor -creature had disappeared in the woods.</p> - -<p>I was very hungry, for I had eaten nothing since -breakfast. We built a fire at once, and made our -camp. Then we built several more fires, to prevent an -attack of the bashikonay ants, in case they should<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_224" id="Page_224">[224]</a></span> -come that way. The poor ape was hung up to a limb -out of reach. During the night, I could hear now and -then, in the distance, the piercing shriek of its mate, -which no doubt was calling for the absent one. At last -I fell asleep on my bed of leaves and grass, as pleased -a man perhaps as any in the world.</p> - -<p>The next morning I examined the nshiego mbouvé. -Okabi, pointing to the head triumphantly, exclaimed, -"See, Chaillie, is not the animal bald-headed? Did I -not tell you the truth?" So it was. The nshiego -mbouvé was quite bald; not a hair could be seen on -the top of his head. He was a full-grown specimen, -and measured three feet and eleven inches in height. -His colour was intensely black, and the body was -covered with short, rather blackish hair. On the legs -the hair was of a dirty grey, mixed with black. On -the shoulders and back the hair grew two or three -inches long. This animal was old, and his hair was a -little mixed with grey. The arms also, down to the -wrists, were covered with long black hair. The hair is -much thinner than on the gorilla, and is blacker, -longer, and glossier. The nose, also, is not so prominent. -Though only three feet and eleven inches in height, -the animal had an extremely broad chest, though not -so powerful as that of the gorilla. The fingers, also, -were much longer, and not large; and the hand was -longer than the foot; while the gorilla, like man, has -the foot longer than the hand.</p> - -<p>Some of the teeth were decayed. So the poor -fellow must have had the toothache badly; and I suppose -there were no dentists among the nshiego -mbouvés. I have killed several of these animals. -One of them was a very old one; he had silvery hair; -nearly all his teeth were decayed, and some were missing -which had dropped out with age. He was getting -so infirm that he had not strength enough to pick<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_225" id="Page_225">[225]</a></span> -berries or break nuts; and, when killed, he had only -leaves in his stomach.</p> - -<p>After enjoying myself thoroughly at the olako of -Shimbouvenegani, we returned to the village of Damagondai. -Shimbouvenegani dressed himself again in -state, that is to say, he put on his swallow-tailed coat -and his beaver hat. In this regal costume he accompanied -us to our canoes, and there bid us good-bye.</p> - -<div class="figcenter"><img src="images/illo3.png" width="200" -height="122" alt="" title="" /></div> -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_226" id="Page_226"></a> -<a name="Page_227" id="Page_227"></a></span></p> - -<div class="figcenter6"><a name="Mourning"><img src="images/mourn.png" width="550" -height="428" alt="" title="" /></a> -<div class="caption">EXPIRATION OF MOURNING.</div></div> - -<h2 id="XXIX">CHAPTER XXIX.</h2> - -<p class="i2 center">WAR THREATENED—OSHORIA ARMS HIS MEN—WE BLUFF -THEM OFF, AND FALL SICK WITH FEVER—THE MBOLA -IVOGA, OR END OF MOURNING TIME—A DEATH AND -BURIAL—FINDING OUT THE SORCERER—THE VILLAGE -DESERTED—I BECOME VICEROY AT WASHINGTON.</p> - - -<p class="p2">News came that Oshoria, the chief of Guabuirri, -a village situated at the junction of the -Ogobai and Anengue rivers, intended to stop -me on my way back to Washington. It was reported -that he had assembled all his fighting men, and was -bent upon war.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_228" id="Page_228">[228]</a></span></p> - -<p>Poor Damagondai was much troubled. He wanted -no war. He sent his brother down with a plate, a -mug, and a brass pan, to propitiate Oshoria. These -were great presents. A plate, a mug, and a pan are -thought to be very valuable in the regions of the -Anengue.</p> - -<p>I was very angry. I had done no harm to the people -of Guabuirri; I had passed their village in peace. -Oshoria wanted to exact tribute for my passage; but -he was not the king of the country, and I determined -to put down Mr. Oshoria.</p> - -<p>We cleaned our guns, and I prepared my revolvers, -and the next morning we set out, without waiting for -the return of the king's brother, greatly to the dismay -of Damagondai and of his peaceful people. But nothing -must stop us. We must return to Washington. My -men swore that they would fight to the death.</p> - -<p>When we came in sight of Guabuirri, I saw that -some of my fellows, who, a short time before, were going -to be so brave, began to show the white feather. I -therefore pointed to my revolver, and told them that -I would blow out the brains of the first man who failed -to fight to the last. They had a great respect for this -wonderful revolver, and they immediately answered, -"We are men."</p> - -<p>So we pulled down the stream and soon came almost -opposite Oshoria's people. I gave orders to make for -the town. On the shore stood about one hundred and -fifty fellows armed with spears and axes, and led by ten -men who had guns. All of them were making a great -noise.</p> - -<p>My men were all well armed, and, if I remember -well, there were only sixteen of us. I had my revolver -in one hand and a double-barrelled gun in the other. -The men all had guns, which were placed beside them -in such a way that the natives on the shore could see<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_229" id="Page_229">[229]</a></span> -them. At this piece of bravado, Oshoria's men became -very civil. They retreated as we approached the landing; -and instead of continuing their war-shouts and -firing at us, they received us peaceably, and shouted to -us not to fire.</p> - -<p>Damagondai's brother hurried down to meet me, and -announced that there was no palaver: I must not kill -anybody. I was then led to where the quarrelsome -Oshoria stood. Looking at him with a stern look, I -reproached him for his conduct, telling him that if -anybody had been killed, the palaver would have been -on his own head. He said he had been vexed that I -did not stop to see him on my way up; and, after -making further excuses, added, "Aouè olomé," "thou -art a man;" an expression used in several ways, either -to designate a smart man or a rascal, or, in the best -sense, a very brave man. I was content to accept it as -an intended compliment.</p> - -<p>I was presented with fruits and fowls, and we were -presently the best of friends. To show them what I -could do in the way of shooting, I brought down a little -bird which sat on a very high tree. They all declared -that I must have a very big shooting fetich; and they -reverenced me greatly.</p> - -<p>The next morning, I left Oshoria, and once more I -glided down the placid waters of the Ogobai. I reached -Washington in safety.</p> - -<p>It was in the month of August, and the malaria of -the Anengue marshes began to tell on me. I fell sick -with dysentery and symptoms of malignant fever. In -three days I took one hundred and eighty grains of -quinine, and thus happily succeeded in breaking the -force of the fever, which was the most dangerous of -the two diseases. I was ill from the 18th to the 31st -of August; and I did not regain my strength till the -9th of September. The Commi waited patiently for -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_230" id="Page_230">[230]</a></span> -my recovery before they would go through some of -then ceremonies.</p> - -<p>There was to be a <i>mbola ivoga</i> at Biagano, that is, -an end of the mourning time, to be celebrated with -ceremonies and a terrible noise.</p> - -<p>When anyone of importance dies, the clan, or town, -or the relatives, cease to wear their best clothes, and -make it a point to go unusually dirty. No ornaments -whatever, such as earrings or bracelets or beads, are -worn. This is the way they "mourn." Mourning -lasts generally from one year to two years. The ceremonies -at the breaking-up of this mourning are what -I am now about to describe.</p> - -<p>The man who had died left seven wives, a house, a -plantation, several slaves, and other property. All this -the elder brother inherited; and on him, as the heir, -it devolved to give the grand feast. For this feast -every canoe that came brought jars of mimbo, or palm-wine. -Sholomba and Jombouai, the heir, with his -people, had been out for two weeks, fishing, and now -returned with several canoe-loads of dry fish. From -his plantation a large supply of palm-wine was brought -in. The women and slaves had prepared a great -quantity of food. Everything needful was provided in -great abundance.</p> - -<p>In the village the people all got ready their best -clothes and furbished up their ornaments. Drums and -kettles were collected for music; powder was brought -out for the salutes; and at last all was ready for the -mbola ivoga.</p> - -<p>The seven wives of the deceased seemed quite -jolly, for to-morrow they were to lay aside their -widows' robes, and to join in the jollification as brides. -The heir could have married them all; but he had -generously given up two to a younger brother, and one -to a cousin. He had already sixteen wives, and might<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_231" id="Page_231">[231]</a></span> -well be content with only four more. Twenty wives is -a pretty good number.</p> - -<p>No wonder the widows were glad to see the time of -mourning over. For two whole years they had been -almost imprisoned in their husband's house, hardly -ever going out.</p> - -<p>At seven o'clock three guns were fired off, to -announce that the widows had done eating a certain -mess, mixed of various ingredients, supposed to have -magical virtues, and by which they are released from -their widowhood. This was the first part of the ceremony. -They then put on bracelets and anklets, and -the finest calico they had. Some of the Commi women -wear brass anklets on each leg almost as high as the -knee, as you see represented in the picture. The -weight must be between twenty and thirty pounds on -each leg. Besides these anklets, they wear a few bracelets -of the same material. On their necks they wear -beads.</p> - -<p>From early morning the guests had been coming, all -bringing provisions and mimbo (palm-wine) with them, -and dressed in their best clothes. There were several -hundreds in all. The guests that lived far away had -come the day before. About nine o'clock all the guests -sat down on mats, spread about outside of the house of -the deceased, and along the main street. They were -divided into little groups; and before each was set an -immense jar of mimbo, and food was spread before -them. All began to talk pleasantly, till, suddenly, the -Biagano people fired off a volley of about one hundred -guns. This was the signal for the drinking and eating -to begin. Men, women, and children set to, and ate -as much as they could; and from this time till the -next morning the orgies were continued without interruption. -They drank, they sang, they shouted, they -fired guns, and loaded them so heavily when they got -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_232" id="Page_232">[232]</a></span> -tipsy that I wonder the old trade-guns did not burst. -They drummed on everything that could possibly give -out a noise. The women danced—such dances as are -not seen elsewhere! You may imagine what they -were, when every woman was so furiously tipsy.</p> - -<p>This mbola ivoga would have lasted probably for -several days, but the victuals and palm-wine finally -gave out.</p> - -<p>Next day, about sunrise, Jombouai came and asked -me to assist at the concluding ceremony; for I had -told him that I wanted to see every scene of the mbola -ivoga. His brother's house, according to the custom, -was to be torn down and burned—yes, burned to the -ground, so that not a vestige of it would remain to remind -the people that once there stood a house whose -possessor was dead.</p> - -<p>The people came around the house and fired guns; -then, in a moment, as if they were an infuriated mob, -they hacked the old house to pieces with axes and -cutlasses; then they set fire to it. When the ruins -were burnt, the feast was done.</p> - -<p>This is the way they go out of mourning among the -Commi. The widows were all married again, and, until -another death should occur, everything would go -smoothly again.</p> - -<p>Hardly were the rejoicings over, when Ishungui, the -man who had faithfully taken care of my house in my -absence, lay at death's door. He had gone out on -Jombouai's fishing excursion, in order to catch fish for -the mbola ivoga which I have just described. He -caught cold, and had now a lung fever. The people -called for me. I knew as soon as I saw him that he -must die, and I tried to prepare his mind for the -change. But his friends and relatives by no means -gave him up. They sent for a distinguished fetich -doctor, and under his auspices they began the infernal -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_233" id="Page_233">[233]</a></span> -din with which they seek to cure a dying man. I am -afraid the cure is worse than the disease.</p> - -<p>One of the Commi people's theories of disease is, -that Obambou (the devil) has got into the sick man, -and as long as the devil remains in the body there is -no hope of curing the man. Now this devil is only to -be driven out by noise, and accordingly a great crowd -surround the sick man and beat drums and kettles -close to his head, fire off guns close to his ears, and in -every part of the house they sing, shout, dance, and -make all the noise they can. This lasts till the poor -fellow either dies or is better; but I must say that -he generally dies, unless the operators get tired out -first.</p> - -<p>Ishungui died. He left no property, and his brother -buried him in the sand, without a coffin, in a grave so -shallow (as is the custom) that, when I came upon it -some days after, I saw that the wild beasts had been -there and eaten the corpse.</p> - -<p>The mourning was short in this case; it lasted only -six days. There were no wives or property; there was -no feast. The relatives of the deceased slept one night -in his house, as a mark of respect.</p> - -<p>Among the Commi it is the custom, when a man -has died, to keep the <i>nchougou</i>. The nchougou is a -feast that takes place generally, if not always, after the -man has been dead six days. There is drinking, eating, -and dancing; but the rejoicing is not so uproarious -as the ceremony of the mbola ivoga. Then the mourning -begins. I think you will agree with me that the -nchougou is a most extraordinary custom.</p> - -<p>After Ishungui had died, it became necessary to discover -the persons who had bewitched the dead man; -for the Commi said, "How is it that a young man, -generally healthy, should die so suddenly?" This -they did not believe to be natural; hence they<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_234" id="Page_234">[234]</a></span> -attributed his death to sorcerers, and were afraid that -the sorcerers would kill other people.</p> - -<p>A canoe had been despatched up to Lake Anengue -to bring down a great doctor. They brought down one -of Damagondai's sons, a great rascal. He had been -foremost in selling me the idol, or <i>mbuiti</i>, of the slaves -of which I spoke to you, and he was an evident cheat.</p> - -<p>When all was ready for the trial, I went down to -look at the doctor, who looked really diabolical. I -never saw a more ugly-looking object.</p> - -<p>He had on a high head-dress of black feathers. His -eyelids were painted red, and a red stripe, from the nose -upward, divided his forehead into two parts; another -stripe passed around his head. The face was painted -white, and on each side of the mouth were two round -red spots. About his neck hung a necklace of grass, -and also a cord, which held a box against his breast. -This little box is sacred, and contains spirits. A number -of strips of leopard's skin, and of skin of other -animals, crossed his breast, and were exposed about his -person; and all these were charmed and had charms -attached to them. From each shoulder down to his -hands was a white stripe, and one hand was painted -quite white. To complete this horrible array, he wore -around his body a string of little bells.</p> - -<p>He sat on a box. Before him stood another box containing -charms. On this stood a looking-glass, before -which lay a buffalo-horn. In this horn there was some -black powder, and it was said to be the refuge of many -spirits. The doctor had also a little basket of snake-bones, -which he shook frequently during his incantations, -and several skins, to which little bells were -attached. Near by stood a fellow beating a board with -two sticks.</p> - -<p>All the people of the village gathered about this -couple. The doctor had, no doubt, impressed the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_235" id="Page_235">[235]</a></span> -people with his great power. His incantations were -continued for a long time, and at last came to the -climax. Jombouai was told to call over the names of -persons in the village, in order that the doctor might -ascertain if any of those named were sorcerers. As -each name was called, the old cheat looked in the -looking-glass to see the result.</p> - -<p>During the whole operation I stood near him, which -seemed to trouble him greatly. At last, after all the -names were called, the doctor declared that he could -not find any "witch-man," but that an evil spirit dwelt -in the village, and many of the people would die if it -continued there. I have a suspicion that this final -judgment with which the incantations broke up was a -piece of revenge upon me. I had no idea until the -next day how seriously the word of one of these -<i>ougangas</i> (doctors) is taken.</p> - -<p>The next morning all was excitement. The people -were scared. They said their mbuiti was not willing to -have them live longer here; that he would kill them, -etc. Then began the removal of all kinds of property, -and the tearing down of houses, and by nightfall I was -actually left alone in my house with a Mpongwe boy -and my little Ogobai boy, Macondai, both of whom -were anxious to be off.</p> - -<p>Old Ranpano came to beg me not to be offended; he -said that he dared not stay; that the mbuiti was now -in town. He advised me as a friend to move also; but -nobody wished me ill, only he must go, and would -build his house not far off.</p> - -<p>I did not like to abandon my house and settlement -at Washington, which it had cost me a good deal of -trouble to build. I called a meeting of the people, and -it was with the greatest difficulty that I could get some -of my own canoe boys and a few men to come and stay -at my place. These began immediately to build them<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_236" id="Page_236">[236]</a></span>selves -houses, and a little village was built, of which I -was now, to my great surprise, offered the sovereignty. -I remembered how the new king was made in the -Gaboon, and I did not know but that the Commi had -the same custom. The thought of the ceremony which -precedes the assumption of royalty deterred me. -Finally, the men determined to have me as their chief, -next to Ranpano; and with this my ambition was -satisfied.</p> - -<div class="figcenter"><img src="images/illo1.png" width="200" -height="138" alt="" title="" /></div> -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_237" id="Page_237"></a></span></p> - -<div class="figcenter6"><a name="Hunting2"><img src="images/hunt2.png" width="550" -height="421" alt="" title="" /></a> -<div class="caption">WOLF HUNTING.</div></div> - -<h2 id="XXX">CHAPTER XXX.</h2> - - -<p class="i2 center">HUNTING IN THE WOODS—THE MBOYO WOLF—WE CATCH -ANOTHER YOUNG GORILLA—HE STARVES TO DEATH.</p> - - -<p class="p2">Everything went on smoothly among the -good Commi. When I absented myself they -took great care of my property. They seemed -proud of their honesty; and though it was a wild -country, and they were a wild people, I felt very safe -among them.</p> - -<p>Now and then I left Washington to go and live -entirely in the woods, and hunt, sometimes for gorillas,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_238" id="Page_238">[238]</a></span> -at other times for wild boars or buffaloes, or something -else.</p> - -<p>I was also very fond of hunting the <i>mboyo</i>, a very -shy animal of the wolf kind, with long yellowish hair -and straight ears. They are very cunning; and now -and then you can see them in the grass engaged in -hunting for themselves. I have often watched these -animals surrounding and chasing game. They run very -well together in a drove; and as their policy is to run -round and round, they soon bewilder, tire out, and -capture any animal of moderate endurance. As they -run round, gradually their circle grows smaller and -smaller; and of course the smaller it becomes the more -bewildered becomes their prey.</p> - -<p>Often I have seen them prying about alone in search -of prey. How roguish they look! and I could only -shoot them at very long distances. I never was able -to get near one of them.</p> - -<p>At times I went into the country where gorillas -were plentiful, and had a good deal of fun and plenty -of excitement. This country was not far from the -village of a chief called Makaga Oune-jiou. This chief -was affected with leprosy. He had already lost all the -fingers of his left hand and two fingers of his right -hand, besides the big toe of his left foot. But Makaga -was very kind to me, and was much beloved by his -people. His village was small, but was a very dear -little village to him. It was surrounded by fields of -sugar-cane, plantain trees, and little fields of ground-nuts; -and now and then the gorillas came and helped -themselves to the good things these people had planted. -This made them very wroth, and they were always glad -to have me come and spend a few days among them.</p> - -<p>Early in the morning I could sometimes hear the -gorillas, who then came quite near the village. Here -I found that I need not make long journeys in order to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_239" id="Page_239">[239]</a></span> -reach the hunting ground. But they are difficult of -approach; the slightest noise alarms them and sends -them off. It is only once in a while that you can surprise -an old male, and then he will fight you.</p> - -<p>While staying with Makaga Oune-jiou I captured a -second young gorilla; and we had an exciting time, I -assure you, before we got him.</p> - -<p>We were walking along in silence, when I heard a -cry, and presently I saw not far from me, in the midst -of a dense foliage, a female gorilla, with a tiny baby -gorilla hanging to her breast. The mother was stroking -the little one, and looking fondly down at it; and the -scene was so pretty and touching that I withheld my -fire and considered (like a soft-hearted fellow) whether -I had not better leave them in peace. Before I could -make up my mind, however, my hunter fired and -killed the mother, who fell dead without a struggle.</p> - -<p>The mother fell, but the baby clung to her, and, with -piteous cries, endeavoured to attract her attention. I -came up, and when it saw me it hid its poor little head -in its mother's breast. It could neither walk nor bite, -it was such a tiny little baby gorilla. We could easily -manage it; and I carried it, while the men bore the -mother on a pole.</p> - -<p>When we got to the village another scene ensued. -The men put the body down, and I set the little -fellow near. As soon as he saw his mother he crawled -to her and threw himself on her breast. He did not -find his accustomed nourishment, and perceived that -something was the matter with his mother. He -crawled over her body, smelt at it, and gave utterance -from time to time to a plaintive cry, "Hoo, hoo, hoo," -which touched my heart.</p> - -<p>I could get no milk for this poor little fellow. He -could not eat, and consequently he died on the third -day after he was caught.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_240" id="Page_240"></a> -<a name="Page_241" id="Page_241"></a></span></p> - -<div class="figcenter6"><a name="Scene"><img src="images/scene.png" width="550" -height="419" alt="" title="" /></a> -<div class="caption">AN INCANTATION SCENE.</div></div> - - -<h2 id="XXXI">CHAPTER XXXI.</h2> - -<p class="i2 center">GOING TO UNKNOWN REGIONS—QUENGUEZA SENDS HIS -SON AS A HOSTAGE—I TAKE HIM ALONG WITH ME—RECEPTION -BY THE KING—OUR SPEECHES—QUENGUEZA -AFRAID OF A WITCH—AN INCANTATION SCENE.</p> - - -<p class="p2">Time passed on. It was several years since I -left the United States, but nevertheless I determined -to set out for the head waters of the -Fernand-Vaz, and for countries undiscovered as yet by -white men.</p> - -<p>Quengueza had sent to me his eldest son, named<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_242" id="Page_242">[242]</a></span> -Kombé (the sun), with a present of ebony wood, and -his youngest son, a boy of ten, called Akounga; and -he said I must come and leave Akounga in Ranpano's -hands as a hostage for my safety. "You see," he -sent word, "that I am not afraid of you. You may -trust me."</p> - -<p>I had to take my big boat, because no canoe would -hold all the goods, powder and shot, guns, provisions, and -medicines, I took along. It was to be a very, very long -journey. I was the first white man to venture up in -this direction, and I was anxious to get as far as -possible.</p> - -<p>We were fifteen in all in my boat. Another canoe, -with fifteen more men, followed us. Quengueza's little -boy was with us too. I would never have thought of -such a thing as keeping the poor little fellow away -from his mother and father. I took also the brave -little Macondai, whom I had at first determined to -leave behind, as being too small to stand the fatigues -of such a journey. The little fellow entreated so much -to be taken that I at last consented. He behaved like -a man. Macondai grew fast as years went by, and I -wish you could have seen him fighting by my side in -Ashango land.</p> - -<p>At last, after much fatigue and hard pulling, we -reached the village of Goumbi, the residence of King -Quengueza. Here I was received in the most triumphant -manner. I could not make myself heard for the -shouts and firing of guns. The whole population of -Goumbi crowded down to the shore to see me, and I -was led up in procession to an immense covered space, -capable of holding at least a thousand people, and surrounded -by seats. I found there strangers from various -parts of the interior, who gazed at me, and especially -at my hair, with the greatest wonder.</p> - -<p>A large high seat was appointed for me, and another<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_243" id="Page_243">[243]</a></span> -close to it was for Quengueza, who presently arrived -with a face beaming with joy. He shook hands with -me and then seated himself.</p> - -<p>There was a dead silence in the vast crowd before -us. Quengueza was an old, white-woolled negro, very -tall, spare, and of a severe countenance, betokening -great energy and courage, qualities for which he was -celebrated all over their country. When younger he -was the dread of all, but now that he had become the -chief of his clan, and was getting old, he had grown -milder, and become peaceful, to the great joy of the -surrounding villages. He was a very remarkable man -for his opportunities. He made haste to tell me that -he was in mourning for his eldest brother, who had died -two years before, and left him chief of their clan, the -Abouya.</p> - -<p>Quengueza had on a finely-knit black cap, and a grass -body-cloth, which was black also; both the cap and -cloth were of Ashira make, and were really beautiful. -He had no shirt; that article is not allowed to -mourners; but he wore an American coat which was -too small for him.</p> - -<p>After the king had done welcoming me, I called his -little son, Akounga. When he had come forward, I said -to the king in a loud voice, that the people might -hear: "You sent your son to me to keep, so that I -might feel safe to come to you. I am not afraid. I -like you, and can trust you. Therefore I have brought -your little son back to you. I do not want him as a -hostage for my safety. Let him remain by the side -of his mother."</p> - -<p>At this there was a tremendous shouting, and the -people seemed overjoyed.</p> - -<p>The king rose to reply. There was immediately a -dead silence; for Quengueza was greatly reverenced by -his people. The king said: "This is my <i>ntangani</i><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_244" id="Page_244">[244]</a></span> -(white man), he has come from a far country to see -me. I went down to beg him to come up to me. -Now he has come. Let no one do harm to his people; -for him I need not speak. Give food to his people. -Treat them well. Do not steal anything. If you do -not do as I say, <span class="smcap">A BIG PALAVER WILL COME UPON YOU</span>!" -This last sentence he uttered in a tremendous voice.</p> - -<p>Then he addressed himself to the Ashira and Bakalai -who were present, saying,: "Beware! Do not steal -my white man, for if you should make the attempt, I -will sell you all."</p> - -<p>Then loads of plantains and sugar-canes, together -with a hundred fowls, and several goats, were presented -to me by the king, and this closed the -ceremony.</p> - -<p>The longer I stayed with Quengueza, the more I -loved him; I was only sorry that he was so curiously -superstitious. For a year he had not passed down -the street which led most directly to the water, but had -gone always by a roundabout way, because, when he -came to the throne, this street was pronounced bewitched -by a secret enemy of his; and he was persuaded -that if he passed by it, he would surely die. This -superstitious notion had originated in a dream of the -king's which had been interpreted in that way.</p> - -<p>Several times efforts had been made by distinguished -doctors to drive away the <i>aniemba</i> (witch), which there -lay in wait; but the king, though he believed in -sorcery, did not have much faith in the exorcisers or -doctors. He thought that, perhaps, the aniemba had -not gone, and that it was better to be on the safe side, -which was not to go on the road at all. But his subjects -felt very much troubled about this matter; for -they wanted their king to pass through their street -sometimes.</p> - -<p>Once more a last attempt was made to drive off the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_245" id="Page_245">[245]</a></span> -aniemba, or witch. A famous doctor from the far-off -Bakalai country had been brought down to perform this -act. His name was Aquailai.</p> - -<p>In the evening the people gathered in great numbers -under the immense <i>hangar</i>, or covered space in which -I had been received, and there lit fires, around which -they sat. The space thus covered was one hundred -and fifty feet long by forty wide, and was roofed with -palm branches and leaves.</p> - -<p>About ten o'clock, when it was pitch dark, the -doctor commenced operations by singing some boastful -songs, recounting his power over witches. Immediately -all the people gathered into their houses, and -with such great haste, that two women failing to get -home, and afraid to go farther through the streets, took -refuge in my house. Then all the fires in the houses -were carefully extinguished, those under the hangar -having been already put out; and, in about an hour -more, there was not a light of any kind in the whole -town except mine. They had only asked of me that I -should shut my door. The most pitchy darkness and -the most complete silence reigned everywhere. No -voice could be heard, even in a whisper, among -the several thousands of people gathered in the -gloom.</p> - -<p>At last the silence was broken by the doctor, who, -standing in the centre of the town, began some loud -babbling, of which I could not make out the meaning. -From time to time the people answered him in chorus. -This went on for an hour, and was really one of the -strangest scenes I ever took part in. I could see -nothing but the faces of the two women in my house, -who were badly frightened, poor things, as, in fact, all -the people were. The hollow voice of the witch-doctor -resounded curiously through the silence; and -when the answer of many mingled voices came through<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_246" id="Page_246">[246]</a></span> -the darkness, the ceremony really assumed the air of -a poet's incantation scene.</p> - -<p>At last, just at midnight by my watch, I heard the -doctor approach. He had bells girded about him, -which he jingled as he walked. He went to every -family in the town, successively, and asked if to them -belonged the aniemba (witch) that obstructed the -king's highway. Of course, all answered no. Then -he began to run up and down the bewitched street, -calling out loudly for the witch to go off. Presently -he came back and announced that he could no longer -see the aniemba, which had doubtless gone, never to -come back. At this, all the people rushed out of their -houses, and shouted, "Go away! go away! and never -come back to hurt our king!"</p> - -<p>Then fires were lit, and all sat down to eat. This -done, all the fires were once more extinguished; and -the people sung wild songs until four o'clock. Then -the fires were lit again.</p> - -<p>At sunrise the whole population gathered to accompany -their king down the dreaded street to the water. -Quengueza, I know, was brave as a hunter and as a -warrior. He was also very intelligent about many -things regarding which his people were very stupid; -but the poor old king was now horribly afraid. He -was assured that the aniemba was gone; but he evidently -thought that he was walking to almost certain -death. He hesitated; but at last he determined to -face his fate, and walked manfully down to the river -and back, amidst the plaudits of his loyal subjects. -So ended the ceremony; but Quengueza never went -again on that road; his dread of it still remained.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_247" id="Page_247"></a></span></p> - -<div class="figcenter6"><img src="images/illo5.png" width="600" -height="136" alt="" title="" /></div> - - -<h2 id="XXXII">CHAPTER XXXII.</h2> - - -<p class="i2 center">GORILLA HUNTING—MY COMPANIONS, MOMBON, ETIA, AND -GAMBO—ETIA KILLS A LARGE GORILLA—WE MAKE UP -A LARGE PARTY—CAMP STORIES ABOUT GORILLAS—WE -CAPTURE A YOUNG GORILLA—HER UNTIMELY -DEATH.</p> - - -<p class="p2">Quengueza had a slave named Mombon, -whom he loved greatly. Mombon was his -overseer, chamberlain, steward, man of business, -and general factotum, the man whose place it was to -take care of the king's private affairs, set his slaves -to work, oversee his plantations, and who had the care -of the keys of the royal houses. Mombon was to see -that I was made comfortable in town.</p> - -<p>Quengueza had also another slave named Etia. Etia -was his favourite hunter, and he gave him to me for a -guide in the bush. This Etia was a fine-looking old -man, belonging to a tribe far in the interior, who had -never heard that there was such a thing as a white<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_248" id="Page_248">[248]</a></span> -man in the world. He was living on a little plantation -outside the town, where he had a neat house and -a nice old wife, who always treated me in a kind, -motherly way; she always had something to give me -to eat. Etia's business was to supply the royal larder -with "bush meat," and he went out hunting almost -every week for that purpose.</p> - -<p>Etia and I became great friends, and loved each -other much. I gave to Etia and to his wife many little -presents, with which they always seemed very much -pleased. Around the house of Etia were arranged -skulls of elephants, hippopotami, leopards, and gorillas, -as trophies of his prowess.</p> - -<p>Among the numerous guests of Quengueza was -an Ashira chief, who had come on a visit to the -king. He had a son called Gambo, a noted hunter. -Gambo was a very ill-looking fellow, but he had a fiery -eye, great courage, and a kind heart. I became very -fond of Gambo, and Gambo became very fond of me. -Sometimes Quengueza could not help saying to his -people, "See how hunters love each other, no matter -if they come from different countries. See how my -white man loves the black hunters." In fact, we were -always together. I had never seen the Ashira tribe to -which Gambo belonged.</p> - -<p>One day we had been going through the woods about -three hours when at last we came upon fresh gorilla -tracks. Etia now set out alone, while Gambo and I -walked silently in another direction. The gorilla is -so difficult to approach that we had literally to creep -through the thick woods when in their vicinity. The -hunter cannot expect to see his enemy till he is close -upon him. The forest is so thick and gloomy that even -when quite near the animal is but dimly visible. All -this makes hunting for the gorilla very trying to the -nerves; for it is in the hunter's mind that if he misses -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_249" id="Page_249">[249]</a></span>—if -his bullet does not go to the most fatal point—the -wounded and infuriated brute will make short -work of his opponent.</p> - -<p>As we crept silently along, suddenly the woods -resounded with the report of a gun. We sped at once -towards the quarter whence the report came, and there -we found old Etia sitting complacently upon the dead -body of the largest female gorilla I ever saw. The -total height of the animal was four feet seven inches. -This was a huge gorilla for a female, for they are -always much smaller than the males.</p> - -<p>Another time we made up a large party. We were -to go a considerable distance to a spot where Etia gave -me hopes that we should catch a young gorilla alive. I -would have gone through any hardship and peril to get -one large enough to be kept alive, and to be sent to -Europe.</p> - -<p>Etia, Gambo, myself, and ten men composed our -party. Each was armed, and laden with provisions for -a couple of days. The men were covered with fetiches. -They had painted their faces red, and had cut their -hands in more than fifty different places. This bleeding -of the hands was done for luck. The fellows were -nearly naked; but this is their usual habit.</p> - -<p>As for me, I had also made extra preparations. I had -blackened my face and hands with powdered charcoal -and oil; and my blue drilling shirt and trousers and -black shoes made me as dark as any of them. My revolvers -hung at my side, with my ammunition bag and -brandy flask; my rifle lay upon my shoulder. All this -excited the admiration of the crowd which assembled -to see us go out.</p> - -<p>Quengueza was greatly delighted, and exclaimed, -"What kind of ntangani (white man) is this? He -fears nothing; he cares for neither sun nor water; he -loves nothing but the hunt."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_250" id="Page_250">[250]</a></span></p> - -<p>The old king charged the people to take great care -of his white man, and to defend him with their lives if -need be.</p> - -<p>We travelled all day, and about sunset we came to -a little river. Here we began at once to make a fire -and build leafy shelters for the night. Scarcely was -the firewood gathered, and we were safely bestowed -under our shelter, when a storm came up which lasted -half an hour. Then all was clear once more. We -cooked plantains and smoked some dried fishes.</p> - -<p>In the evening the men told stories about gorillas.</p> - -<p>"I remember," said one, "my father told me he -once went out to the forest, when just in his path he -met a great gorilla. My father had his spear in his -hand. When the gorilla saw the spear he began to -roar; then my father was terrified, and dropped the -spear. When the gorilla saw that my father had -dropped the spear he was pleased. He looked at him, -and then left him and went into the thick forest. -Then my father was glad, and went on his way."</p> - -<p>Here all shouted together, "Yes! so we must do -when we meet the gorilla. Drop the spear; that -appeases him."</p> - -<p>Next Gambo spoke. "Several dry seasons ago a -man suddenly disappeared from my village after an -angry quarrel. Some time after an Ashira of that -village was out in the forest. He met a very large -gorilla. That gorilla was the man who had disappeared; -he had turned into a gorilla. He jumped on the poor -Ashira and bit a piece out of his arm. Then he let -him go. Then the man came back with his bleeding -arm. He told me this. I hope we shall not meet -such gorillas."</p> - -<p>Chorus—"No; we shall not meet such wicked -gorillas."</p> - -<p>I myself afterwards met that man in the Ashira<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_251" id="Page_251">[251]</a></span> -country. I saw his maimed arm, and he repeated the -same story.</p> - -<p>Then one of the men spoke up: "If we kill a gorilla -to-morrow I should like to have a part of the brain for -a fetich. Nothing makes a man so brave as to have a -fetich of gorilla's brain. That gives a man a strong -heart."</p> - -<p>Chorus of those who remained awake—"Yes; that -gives a man a strong heart."</p> - -<p>Then we all gradually dropped to sleep.</p> - -<p>Next morning we cleaned and reloaded our guns, -and started off for the hunting ground. There is a -particular little berry of which the gorilla is very fond, -and where this is found in abundance you are sure to -meet the animal.</p> - -<p>We had divided. Etia, Gambo, two other men, and -I kept together, and we had hardly gone more than -an hour when we heard the cry of a young gorilla after -his mother. Etia heard it first, and at once pointed -out the direction in which it was.</p> - -<p>Immediately we began to walk with greater caution -than before. Presently Etia and Gambo crept ahead, -as they were expert with the net, and were also the -best woodsmen. I unwillingly remained behind, but -dared not go with them, lest my clumsier movements -should betray our presence. In a short time we heard -two guns fired. Running up, we found the mother -gorilla shot, but her little one had escaped; they had -not been able to catch it.</p> - -<p>The poor mother lay there in her gore, but the little -fellow was off in the woods. So we concealed ourselves -hard by to wait, for its return. Presently it came up, -jumped on its mother, and began sucking at her -breasts and fondling her. Then Etia, Gambo, and I -rushed upon it. Though evidently less than two years -old, it proved very strong, and escaped from us. But -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_252" id="Page_252">[252]</a></span> -we gave chase, and in a few minutes had it fast, not, -however, before one of the men had his arm severely -bitten by the savage little beast.</p> - -<p>It proved to be a young female. Unhappily, she -lived but ten days after capture. She persistently -refused to eat any cooked food, or anything else except -the nuts and berries which they eat in the forest. She -was not so ferocious as "Fighting Joe," but was quite -as treacherous and quite as untameable. She permitted -no one to approach her without trying to bite. -Her eyes seemed somewhat milder than Joe's, but had -the same gloomy and treacherous look, and she had -the same way as Joe of looking you straight in the -eyes when she was meditating an attack. I remarked in -her also the same manœuvre practised by the other -when she wished to seize something, my leg, for -instance, which, by reason of the chain around her -neck, she could not reach with her arm. She would -look me straight in the face, then quick as a flash -would throw her body on one leg and one arm and -reach out with the other leg. Several times I had -narrow escapes from the grip of her strong big toe. -I thought sometimes that when she looked at me she -appeared cross-eyed, but of this I could not make -certain. All her motions were remarkably quick, and -her strength was very great, though she was so small.</p> - -<div class="figcenter"><img src="images/illo6.png" width="175" -height="95" alt="" title="" /></div> -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_253" id="Page_253"></a></span></p> - -<div class="figcenter6"><a name="Ordeal"><img src="images/ordeal.png" width="550" -height="450" alt="" title="" /></a> -<div class="caption">A TRIAL BY ORDEAL.</div></div> - - -<h2 id="XXXIII">CHAPTER XXXIII.</h2> - -<p class="i2 center">VOYAGE UP THE RIVER—WE BUILD A VILLAGE NEAR -OBINDJI—QUENGUEZA'S PLAN FOR KEEPING THE -SABBATH—KINDNESS OF THE NATIVES—A TRIAL BY -ORDEAL.</p> - - -<p class="p2">King Quengueza accompanied me on my -voyage up the Rembo and Ovenga rivers. We -were followed by a great many canoes, and by -chiefs of the Ashira and Bakalai tribes. We were -going to the Bakalai country. The weather was intensely -hot; even the negroes suffered; and, though -I had a thick umbrella over my head, and sat quite<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_254" id="Page_254">[254]</a></span> -still, I had frequently to bathe my head and keep -wet handkerchiefs in my banana hat; for I feared a -sunstroke.</p> - -<p>The river was narrow and deep, flowing generally -between high lands and hills, and now and then in -the midst of flats.</p> - -<p>Everybody complained except Macondai. He was -the most spirited little negro I ever saw, a real little -hero. I tell you that many, very many, of these -African boys have a good deal of pluck, although they -are black.</p> - -<p>Two days after we started, we arrived, a little before -sunset, at the village of Obindji, a Bakalai chief, who -was a great friend of Quengueza. Wherever we passed -a Bakalai village the people rushed down to the banks -to see me. As we approached the village of Obindji, -our men fired guns and sang songs. Obindji came -down in great state, dressed in his silk hat, a shirt, -and a nice cloth. He was ringing his <i>kendo</i>—a bell, -which is the insignia of kingship there—a sort of -royal sceptre. The high-crowned silk hat, also, as I -said before, is worn only by the chiefs.</p> - -<p>I said to Obindji, "Why do you ring your kendo?"</p> - -<p>He replied, "Obindji's heart is glad, and he thanks -his Mboundji (a spirit) that he has to-day come up -higher than he ever stood before—a <i>ntanga</i> (white -man) has come to see Obindji."</p> - -<p>When we had landed, and the two kings and I were -seated on the stools used in that country, the grand -reception began. Quengueza gave to his friend Obindji, -and to all the Bakalai who surrounded us, an account -of his entire intercourse with me, from the time he -came down to see me at the seashore to the present -hour.</p> - -<p>Then Obindji replied, giving, in like manner (in short -sentences), a statement of his feelings when he heard<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_255" id="Page_255">[255]</a></span> -that Quengueza was to bring a ntanga to see him. -This closed the conference.</p> - -<p>The village of Obindji was small, and was beautifully -situated at the foot of a high hill, just on the banks of -the Ovenga. The Ovenga river belonged to Quengueza, -and, except at its head waters, it had been inhabited -by the Bakalai only since the time of Quengueza's -eldest brother, whom he had succeeded. These Bakalai -are very warlike; they are much dreaded by the other -tribes.</p> - -<p>The region of the Ovenga is a grand and wild -country. It consists of hills and mountains, covered -with impenetrable forests, which teem with all kinds -of insects. Many animals, curious birds, and a great -number of snakes are found there, together with those -extraordinary ants—the bashikonay. There also are -the chimpanzees and gorillas.</p> - -<p>As I intended to remain some time, I set about -building another village. The men all went into the -forest to collect bark, palm leaves, and posts.</p> - -<p>When Sunday came, I requested Quengueza to -make the men rest on this day, explaining to him -that white men do not work on the Sabbath.</p> - -<p>The old man was puzzled for a moment, and then -said, "We are much hurried now. Suppose you put -off the Sunday for three or four weeks. Then we can -have as many Sundays as you want. We will keep -four or five days following each other as Sundays. It -will be just the same."</p> - -<p>He seemed quite proud of his discovery and was -quite disappointed when I told him it would not do.</p> - -<p>I worked very hard in building my house. The -labour was the more trying because the heat was so -intense; there was not a breath of wind in this -Bakalai country. Besides, the fever had got hold of -me again; but I did not give way to it.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_256" id="Page_256">[256]</a></span></p> - -<p>Obindji became very friendly to me. I may say that -all these negroes seemed to take a liking for me. I -made quite a number of friends among the Bakalai. -Two of them, indeed, were very dear friends of mine; -they were called Malaouen and Querlaouen. I really do -not know which of the two I liked the best. They were -ready to do anything I wished them to do. If I proposed -a hunt, they immediately offered to accompany -me; if they killed game, they presented me with the -best piece. Their wives were sure to bring me, almost -every day, sugar-cane, plantain, or something else. -As for Obindji, he did all in his power to please me. -Moreover, Quengueza was always close to me. He said -that wherever I went he would follow me, and build -his shed by the side of mine. I was now Quengueza's -white man and Obindji's white man. They all seemed -to take pride in me. I am sure I also tried my best -to be kind to them. Above all things, I wanted them -to believe my word implicitly. Hence, whatever I -promised, I kept my word. They noticed this; and -therefore no one doubted me. These poor people, -though they have no word to describe "an honest -man," know the difference between lying and truth-telling; -and they appreciate truthfulness.</p> - -<p>One day I saw a trial by ordeal performed. A little -boy, a son of Aquailai, the doctor who had driven the -aniemba, or witch, from the main street at Goumbi, -reported that one of Quengueza's men had damaged a -Bakalai's canoe. The owner demanded compensation -for the injury. The Goumbi men denied that he had -injured the canoe, and asked for trial. An Ashira -doctor who was in the village was called. He said that -the only way to make the truth appear was by the -trial of the ring boiled in oil. Thereupon, the Bakalai -and the Goumbi men gathered together, and the trial -was at once made.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_257" id="Page_257">[257]</a></span></p> - -<p>The Ashira doctor stuck three little billets of wood -into the ground, with their top ends together, then -he piled some smaller pieces between, till all were laid -as high as the three pieces. A native earthenware -pot, half full of palm oil, was set upon the wood, which -had been set on fire; and the oil was set on fire also. -When it had burned up brightly, a brass bracelet or -ring from the doctor's hand was cast into the pot. -The doctor stood by with a little vase full of grass -soaked in water, of which he threw in, now and then, -some bits. This made the oil blaze up fresh. At last, -all was burned out, and now came the trial. The -accuser, the little boy, was required at once to take the -ring out of the pot. He hesitated, but was pushed -on by his father. The people cried out, "Let us see -whether he lied or told the truth." Finally he put his -hand in and seized the almost red-hot ring, but -quickly dropped it, having severely burned his fingers. -At this there was a shout, "He lied! he lied!" and -the Goumbi man was declared innocent. I ventured to -suggest that he also would burn his fingers if he -touched the ring, but nobody seemed to consider this -view of the subject.</p> - -<div class="figcenter"><img src="images/illo8.png" width="175" -height="120" alt="" title="" /></div> -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_258" id="Page_258"></a> -<a name="Page_259" id="Page_259"></a></span></p> - -<div class="figcenter6"><a name="us"><img src="images/us.png" width="550" -height="514" alt="" title="" /></a> -<div class="caption">THE GORILLA MARCHES UPON US.</div></div> - - -<h2 id="XXXIV">CHAPTER XXXIV.</h2> - - -<p class="i2 center">THE KOOLOO-KAMBA—THE GOUAMBA, OR MEAT-HUNGER—EXPLORING -THE FOREST—GORILLA-HUNTING—WITHIN -EIGHT YARDS OF A LARGE GORILLA—HE ROARS -WITH RAGE AND MARCHES UPON US.</p> - - -<p class="p2">We established ourselves in a deserted Bakalai -village, a few miles from the banks of the -Ovenga, and about ten miles above Obindji. -I was glad that I had no olako to build.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_260" id="Page_260">[260]</a></span></p> - -<p>There were with me several Bakalai; among whom, -of course, were my good friends Querlaouen and -Malaouen. Gambo was also one of our party.</p> - -<p>After our camp was arranged we went out to look for -gorilla tracks. It was too late to hunt; besides, we -were too tired. In the evening Malaouen came in -after dark, and said he had heard the cry of the kooloo, -and knew where to find it in the morning.</p> - -<p>Of course I asked what this kooloo was; for I had -not the slightest idea of what he meant. I had never -heard the name before. I received, in answer, a -description of the animal, which threw me into the -greatest excitement; for I saw this was most certainly -a new species of ape, or man-like monkey; a new man -of the woods, of which I had not even heard as yet. It -was called kooloo-kamba by the Goumbi people from -its cry or call, "kooloo," and the Commi word <i>kamba</i>, -which means "speak." The Bakalai call it simply -<i>koola</i>.</p> - -<p>I scarce slept all night, with fidgeting over the -morrow's prospects. The Bakalai said the kooloo-kamba -was very rare here, and there was only a chance -that we should find the one whose call had been heard.</p> - -<p>At last the tedious night was gone. At the earliest -streak of dawn I had my men up. We had fixed our -guns the night before. All was ready, and we set out -in two parties. My party had been walking through -the forest about an hour, by a path which led, I knew -not where, when suddenly I stepped into a file of -bashikonay ants, whose fierce bites nearly made me -scream. The little rascals were infuriated at my disturbance -of their progress; and they held on to my -legs, and to my trousers, till I picked them off. Of -course I jumped nimbly out of the way of the great -army of which they formed part, but I did not get off -without some severe bites.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_261" id="Page_261">[261]</a></span></p> - -<p>We had hardly got clear of the bashikonays, when -my ears were saluted by the singular cry of the ape I -was after. "Koola-kooloo, koola-kooloo," it said -several times. Only Gambo and Malaouen were with -me. Gambo and I raised our eyes, and saw, high up -on a tree-branch, a large ape. It looked almost like a -black hairy man. We both fired at once; and the next -moment the poor beast fell with a heavy crash to the -ground. I rushed up, anxious to see if indeed I had -a new animal. I saw in a moment that it was neither -a nshiego mbouvé, nor a common chimpanzee, nor a -gorilla. Again I had a happy day. This kooloo-kamba -was undoubtedly a new variety of chimpanzee.</p> - -<p>We at once disembowelled the animal, which was a -full-grown male. We found in his stomach nothing -but berries, nuts, and fruits. He had no doubt just -begun to take his breakfast.</p> - -<p>This kooloo-kamba was four feet three inches high.</p> - -<p>He was powerfully built, with strong and square -shoulders. He had a very round head, with whiskers -running quite round the face and below the chin. The -face was round; the cheek-bones prominent; the -cheeks sunken. The roundness of the head and the -prominence of the cheek-bones were so great as to -remind me of some of the heads of Indians or Chinamen. -The hair was black and long on the arms, -which, however, were partly bare. His ears were -large, and shaped like those of a human being. Of -its habits the people could tell me nothing, except that -it was found more frequently in the far interior. I -brought the skin of this kooloo-kamba to New York, -and some years ago many people saw it.</p> - -<p>On our return to Obindji we were overtaken by my -good friend Querlaouen, who had shot a wild pig, of -which the good fellow gave me half. The negroes -feasted on the kooloo meat, which I could not touch.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_262" id="Page_262">[262]</a></span> -So the pig was welcome to me, as indeed it was to -Quengueza, whom we found almost crying with an -affection which is common in this part of Africa, and -is called <i>gouamba</i>, but for which we happily have no -name. Gouamba is the inordinate longing and craving -of exhausted nature for meat. For days, and -sometimes for weeks, a man does not get any meat at -all, and whenever other food is brought before him, you -will hear him say, looking at the food with disgust, -"Gouamba," which means literally, "I am sick of -food; I have a craving for meat; I care for nothing -else."</p> - -<p>I had some glorious gorilla-hunting while in the -Bakalai country, in the upper regions of the Ovenga -river. Malaouen, Querlaouen, Gambo, and I, often -started out together, and remained for days in the -thickest part of the forest. Now and then we would -return to Obindji to get a supply of plantain, and then -would go off again. We roamed over the forest in all -directions; we explored some new regions; and sometimes -we got lost in the midst of impenetrable mountains, -where often for days we killed nothing.</p> - -<p>In these excursions we suffered sometimes a good -deal; for we had to endure many hardships. We often -had very poor fare, and fever sometimes prostrated me.</p> - -<p>One day, I remember well, we were out for gorillas; -which we knew were to be found thereabouts, by the -presence of a pulpy pear-shaped fruit, the <i>tondo</i>, of -which the animal is very fond. I also am very fond -of the subdued and grateful acid of this fruit, which -is eaten by the negroes as well as by the gorilla.</p> - -<p>We found everywhere gorilla marks, and so recent -that we began to think the animals must be avoiding -us. This was really the case, I believe, though I am -not sure. At any rate, we beat the bush for two hours, -before, at last, we found the game. Suddenly, an im<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_263" id="Page_263">[263]</a></span>mense -gorilla advanced out of the wood, straight -towards us, and gave vent, as he came up, to a terrible -howl of rage, as much as to say, "I am tired of being -pursued, and will face you."</p> - -<p>It was a lone male, the kind which are always most -ferocious. This fellow made the woods resound with -his roar, which is really an awful sound, resembling -very much a rolling and muttering of distant -thunder.</p> - -<p>He was about twenty yards off when we first saw -him. We at once gathered together; and I was about -to take aim and bring him down where he stood, when -Malaouen stopped me, saying in a whisper, "Not time -yet."</p> - -<p>We stood, therefore, in silence, gun in hand. The -gorilla looked at us for a minute or so out of his evil -grey eyes, then beat his breast with his gigantic arms—and -what arms he had!—then he gave another -howl of defiance and advanced upon us. How -horrible he looked! I shall never forget it.</p> - -<p>Again he stopped not more than fifteen yards away.</p> - -<p>Still Malaouen said, "Not yet." Good gracious! -what is to become of us, if our guns miss fire, or if we -only wound the huge beast?</p> - -<p>Again the gorilla made an advance upon us. Now -he was not twelve yards off. I could see plainly his -ferocious face. It was distorted with rage; his huge -teeth were ground against each other, so that we -could hear the sound; the skin of the forehead was -drawn forward and back rapidly, which made his hair -move up and down, and gave a truly devilish expression -to the hideous face. Once more he gave out a roar, -which seemed to shake the woods like thunder; I -could really feel the earth trembling under my feet. -The gorilla, looking us in the eyes, and beating his -breast, advanced again.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_264" id="Page_264">[264]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Don't fire too soon," said Malaouen; "if you do -not kill him, he will kill you."</p> - -<p>This time he came within eight yards of us before -he stopped. I was breathing fast with excitement as -I watched the huge beast.</p> - -<p>Malaouen said only, "Steady," as the gorilla came -up. When he stopped, Malaouen said, "Now!" And -before he could utter the roar for which he was opening -his mouth, three musket-balls were in his body. He -fell dead, almost without a struggle.</p> - -<p>He was a monstrous beast indeed, though not -amongst the tallest. His height was five feet six -inches. His arms had a spread of seven feet two -inches. His broad brawny chest measured fifty inches -round. The big toe of his foot measured five inches -and three quarters in circumference. His arms seemed -like immense bunches of muscle only; and his legs -and claw-like feet were so well fitted for grabbing and -holding that I could see how easy it was for the -negroes to believe that these animals, when they conceal -themselves in trees and watch for prey, can seize -and pull up with their feet any living thing, leopard, -ox, or man, that passes beneath.</p> - -<p>The face of this gorilla was intensely black. The -vast chest, which proved his great power, was bare, and -covered with a parchment-like skin. His body was -covered with grey hair.</p> - -<p>While the animal approached us in its fierce way, -walking on its hind legs and facing us as few animals -dare face man, it really seemed to me to be a horrid -likeness of man.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_265" id="Page_265"></a></span></p> - -<div class="figcenter6"><a name="Mbuiti"><img src="images/mbuiti.png" width="550" -height="430" alt="" title="" /></a> -<div class="caption">MEETING THE MBUITI.</div></div> - -<h2 id="XXXV">CHAPTER XXXV.</h2> - - -<p class="i2 center">WE GO UP THE RIVER TO N'CALAI BOUMBA—A SEVERE -ATTACK OF FEVER—THE TENDER CARE OF THE NATIVES -FOR ME—ANGUILAI ACCUSES HIS PEOPLE OF BEWITCHING -ME—I GO OUT AND QUIET HIM—A BOY CUT TO -PIECES FOR WITCHCRAFT—A USEFUL IDOL—THE EBONY -TREES.</p> - - -<p class="p2">With Quengueza I resumed the ascent of the -river Ovenga. We were bound to the town -of a chief named Anguilai. The place was -called N'calai Boumba.</p> - -<p>We left Obindji early in the morning. On the way<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_266" id="Page_266">[266]</a></span> -we passed several Bakalai villages, the largest of which, -Npopo, I afterwards visited. The river banks, all the -way up, were densely wooded, but very sparsely inhabited -by beasts. We saw no animals the whole day, -except one monkey and a few birds.</p> - -<p>Anguilai, who was one of the vassals of Quengueza, -and a powerful Bakalai chief, and whom I had met at -Obindji's, received us well.</p> - -<p>Anguilai's town is the hottest place I ever saw in -Africa. N'calai Boumba was set in a hollow, and the -houses were so small and close as to be quite unendurable -to me. The village was only a little more than a -year old. The people had come lately from the interior. -Plantations of plantain trees were very -abundant.</p> - -<p>Towards the end of April I was brought down to my -bed with fever. This was the severest attack I had -yet experienced in Africa. It entirely prostrated me. -I looked like a corpse. Not a single particle of colour -could be seen on my face. I had no strength. I could -not eat. I could not walk.</p> - -<p>For three days I had violent returns of the fever. -The blood rushed to my head, and my mind -wandered at times; so the natives told me. Of course -I cannot remember what I said. I only know that my -head burned like fire, and that I was almost mad with -pain. Between the attacks of fever I really thought I -should die and I commended my soul to God.</p> - -<p>While I lay sick, people came and entreated me not -to hunt so much and so constantly. They said, "Look -at us; we hunt one day; we rest two. When we hunt -three days, we rest for many days after it. But -you go out every day."</p> - -<p>I thought to myself, they are right, and I shall -follow their rule hereafter. But it was hard to do so; -for I felt that no one else was in the field; that<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_267" id="Page_267">[267]</a></span> -in such an unhealthy climate no one can live very -long, and I wanted to do as much work as I could. I -wanted to bring all the wonders of that part of the -world to light; and I felt that I was getting older -and older, and there was yet very much work to -be done. So I prayed God to give me strength for -the work that was entrusted to my hands.</p> - -<p>I shall never forget the kindness of those native -women to me while I was sick. Poor souls! they are -sadly abused by their task-masters. They are the -merest slaves. They have to do all the drudgery. -They receive blows and ill-usage. And yet, at the -sight of suffering, their hearts soften, just as women's -hearts soften in our own more civilized lands. No -sooner did sickness attack me than these kind souls -came to nurse and take care of me. They sat by me -to fan me; they brought more mats for my bed; they -bathed my burning head with cold water; they -got me refreshing fruit from the woods. At night, -when I woke up from a feverish dream, I used to hear -their voices, as they sat around in the darkness, pitying -me and contriving ways to cure me.</p> - -<p>When I think of these things I cannot help thanking -God for them; that, wherever I have gone, He has -made human hearts tender and kind to me; that, even -under the black skin of the benighted and savage -African, He has implanted something of His own -compassionate love.</p> - -<p>Anguilai and Quengueza were sadly alarmed at my -illness. Anguilai accused his people of wickedly bewitching -me. One still night he walked up and down -the village, threatening, in a loud voice, to kill the -sorcerers if he could only find them. I had to get up -and tell Anguilai that I was sure his people and the -Bakalai loved me too much to wish me to be sick. -Whereupon they all shouted at once, "It is so; it is so."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_268" id="Page_268">[268]</a></span></p> - -<p>After a few days I was able to walk again a little; -and I went and lived in the forest, where I suffered -less from the heat than in our little houses.</p> - -<p>How sorry I often felt that these kind-hearted -negroes were given to superstitions which led them to -commit the most horrid cruelties. A little boy, about -ten years old, had been accused of sorcery. On being -examined, he confessed that he had made a witch. -Thereupon the whole town seemed to be seized with -the ferocity of devils. They took spears and knives, -and actually cut the poor little fellow to pieces. I had -been walking out, and returned just as the dreadful -scene was over. I could not even make the wretched -people feel shame at their bloody act. They were still -frantic with rage at the thought that this little fellow -had made a witch to kill some of them; and they were -not quiet for some hours after.</p> - -<p>I felt so badly that I went into the woods and took -the path that led to the village of Npopo, which was -not far distant from N'calai Boumba. I wanted to see -if the men had returned; I wanted to see Aguailai, -the chief. He was the doctor who had come to Goumbi -to drive off the aniemba. When I went down to -Npopo the first time I found the people all gone into -the bush. Everything was open and exposed to thieves; -chickens and goats were walking about; and I -wondered to see such carelessness in the village. But -in the centre, looking down on everything, stood the -<i>mbuiti</i>, or god of Npopo, a copper-eyed divinity, who, I -was informed, safely guarded everything. It seemed -absurd; but I was assured that no one dared steal, and -no one did steal, with the eyes of this mbuiti upon him.</p> - -<p>This uncommonly useful idol was a rudely-shaped -piece of ebony, about two feet high, with a man's -face, the nose and eyes of copper, and the body -covered with grass.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_269" id="Page_269">[269]</a></span></p> - -<p>At last we started for the ebony woods. Our new -location was about nine miles from the river, on the -side of a long hill, and close by where a cool sparkling -rivulet leaped from rock to rock down into the plain, -making the pleasantest of music for me as I lay, weak -and sick, in the camp. Five huge ebony trees lifted -their crowned heads together in a little knot just -above us. All around were pleasant and shady woods. -It was a very pleasant camp, but proved to have one -drawback—we nearly starved to death. I sent out -the hunters immediately on our arrival. They were -gone two days, but brought back nothing. Game -was very scarce there; and, without an <i>ashinga</i>, or -net, such as many Bakalai villages have, not much was -to be got.</p> - -<div class="figcenter"><img src="images/illo1.png" width="200" -height="138" alt="" title="" /></div> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_270" id="Page_270"></a> -<a name="Page_271" id="Page_271"></a></span></p> - -<div class="figcenter6"><img src="images/illo2.png" width="600" -height="125" alt="" title="" /></div> - - -<h2 id="XXXVI">CHAPTER XXXVI.</h2> - -<p class="i2 center">HUNTING FOR FOOD—WE KILL A FEMALE NSHIEGO MBOUVÉ—A -YOUNG NSHIEGO WITH A WHITE FACE—HE BECOMES -MY PET TOMMY—HIS AFFECTION FOR ME—HIS STEALING -PRANKS—TOMMY GETS DRUNK—HIS BEHAVIOUR AT -MEALS—HIS SUDDEN DEATH—CONCLUSION.</p> - - -<p class="p2">At last I got better. I could not stand hunger -and gouamba any longer, and determined to -make up a regular hunting party and stay -out till we got something to eat. Malaouen told me -that if we went off about twenty miles we should come -to a better game country. So we started in the -direction he pointed out, and where he thought we -should find the gorilla, or perhaps the nshiego mbouvé.</p> - -<p>The men were covered with greegrees, or fetiches, -and had cut their hands for luck. Anguilai told me -that his <i>ogana</i> (idol) had told him that to-morrow the -heart of the <i>otanga</i> (the white man) would be made -glad, for we should kill game.</p> - -<p>For some hours after we started we saw nothing<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_272" id="Page_272">[272]</a></span> -but old tracks of different wild beasts, and I began to -think that Anguilai's ogana had been too sanguine. -Finally towards twelve o'clock, when we were crossing -a kind of high table-land, we heard the cry of a young -animal, which we recognised to be a nshiego mbouvé. -At once all my troubles left me. I no longer felt either -sick or hungry.</p> - -<p>We crawled through the bush as silently as possible, -still hearing the baby-like cry. At last, coming out -into a little place where there was very little under-growth, -we saw something running along the ground -towards where we stood concealed. We hardly dared -to breathe, for fear of awakening the animal's -suspicions. When it came nearer, we saw it was a -female nshiego mbouvé, running on all-fours, with a -young one clinging to her breast. She was eagerly -eating some berries, while with one arm she supported -her little one.</p> - -<p>Querlaouen, who had the fairest chance, fired, and -brought her down. She dropped without a struggle. -The poor little one cried, "Hew! hew! hew!" and -clung to the dead body, sucking her breasts, and burying -his head there, in alarm at the report of the gun.</p> - -<p>We hurried up in great glee to secure our capture. -I cannot tell my surprise when I saw that the nshiego -baby's face was as white as that of a white child.</p> - -<p>I looked at the mother, but found her black as soot -in the face. What did it mean?—the mother black, -the child white! The little one was about a foot in -height. One of the men threw a cloth over its head -and secured it, till we could make it fast with a rope; -for, though it was quite young, it could walk. The -old one was of the bald-headed kind of which I had -secured the first known specimen some months before.</p> - -<div class="figcenter"><a name="Face"><img src="images/face.png" width="600" -height="375" alt="" title="" /></a> -<div class="caption"> -A YOUNG NSHIEGO MBOUVÉ WITH A WHITE FACE.<br /> -<a href="#XXXVI">CHAP. XXXVI.</a> -</div></div> - - -<p class="p2">I immediately ordered a return to the camp, which -we reached towards evening. The little nshiego had<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_273" id="Page_273">[273]</a></span> -been all this time separated from its dead mother, and -now, when it was put near her body, a most touching -scene ensued. The little fellow ran instantly to her. -Touching her on the face and breast, he saw evidently -that some great change had happened. For a few -minutes he caressed her, as though trying to coax her -back to life. Then he seemed to lose all hope. His -little eyes became very sad, and he broke out in a long, -plaintive wail, "Ooee! ooee! ooee!" which made my -heart ache for him. He looked quite forlorn, and as -though he really felt his forsaken lot. All in the camp -were touched at his sorrows, and the women especially -were much moved.</p> - -<p>All this time I stood wonderingly staring at the -white face of the creature. It was really marvellous, and -quite incomprehensible. A more strange and weird-looking -animal I never saw.</p> - -<p>While I stood here, up came two of my hunters, and -began to laugh at me. "Look, Chaillie," said they, -calling me by the name I am known by among them—"look -at your friend. Every time we kill gorilla, -you tell us look at your black friend, your first cousin. -Now, you see, look at your white friend." Then came -a roar of laughter at what they thought a tremendous -joke.</p> - -<p>"Look! he got straight hair, all same as you! See -white face of your cousin from the bush! He is nearer -to you than the gorilla is to us!"</p> - -<p>Then they roared again.</p> - -<p>"Gorilla no got woolly hair like me. This one -straight hair like you."</p> - -<p>"Yes," said I; "but when he gets old his face is -black; and do you not see his nose, how flat it is, like -yours?"</p> - -<p>Whereat there was a louder roar than before.</p> - -<p>The mother was old, to judge by her teeth, which<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_274" id="Page_274">[274]</a></span> -were much worn; but she was quite black in the face; -in fact, her skin was black. Like all the nshiego -mbouvé, she was bald-headed.</p> - -<p>Now I must give you an account of the little fellow -who excited all this surprise and merriment. He lived -five months, and became perfectly tame and docile. -I called him "Tommy," to which name he soon began -to answer.</p> - -<p>Three days after his capture, he was quite tame. He -then ate crackers out of my hands, devoured boiled -rice and roasted plantain, and drank the milk of a -goat. Two weeks after his capture, he was perfectly -tamed, and no longer required to be tied up. He ran -about the camp, and, when we went back to Obindji's -town, he found his way about the village and into the -huts just as though he had been raised there.</p> - -<p>He had a great affection for me, and used to follow -me about. When I sat down, he was not content till -he had climbed upon me and hid his head in my -breast. He was extremely fond of being petted and -fondled, and would sit by the hour while anyone -stroked his head and back.</p> - -<p>He soon began to be a very great thief. When the -people left their huts he would steal in and make off -with their plantains or fish (for he could then eat anything). -He watched very carefully till all had left a -house, and it was difficult to catch him in the act. I -flogged him several times, and indeed brought him to -the conviction that it was <i>wrong</i> to steal; but he -could never resist the temptation.</p> - -<p>From me he stole constantly. He soon found out -that my hut was the best supplied with ripe bananas -and other fruit. He also discovered that the best time -to steal from me was when I was asleep in the morning. -At that time he used to crawl slowly and carefully -on tip-toe towards my bed and look at my closed<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_275" id="Page_275">[275]</a></span> -eyes. If he saw no movement, with an air of great -relief he would go and pick up several ripe plantains. -If I stirred in the least, he was off like a flash, and -would presently re-enter for another inspection.</p> - -<p>If my eyes were open when he came in on such a -predatory trip, he would come directly to me, with an -honest face, and would climb upon me and caress me; -but I could easily detect an occasional wishful glance -towards the bunch of plantains.</p> - -<p>My hut had no door, but was closed with a mat. It -was very funny to see Tommy gently raising one -corner of this mat and popping his head in to see if I -was asleep. Sometimes I feigned sleep, and then -stirred, just as he was in the act of taking off his -prize. Then he would drop everything and make off -in the utmost consternation.</p> - -<p>He kept the run of meal times, and was present at -as many meals as possible; that is, he would go from -my breakfast to half a dozen others, and beg sometimes -at each. But he never missed my own breakfast -and dinner, knowing by experience that he fared best -there.</p> - -<p>I had a kind of rude table made, on which my meals -were served, in the open part of my house. This was -too high for Tommy to see the dishes; so he used to -come in before I sat down, when all was ready, and -climb up on the pole that supported the roof. From -here he would attentively survey every dish on the -table, and having determined what to have, he would -descend and sit down at my side. If I did not immediately -pay attention to him he would begin to howl, -"Hew! hew! hew!" louder and louder, till, for peace -sake, his wants were satisfied. Of course I could not -tell what he had chosen for dinner of my different -dishes, and would offer him first one, then another, till -the right one came. If he received what he did not<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_276" id="Page_276">[276]</a></span> -want he would throw it down on the ground with a -little shriek of anger and a stamp of his foot, and -begin to howl, and this was repeated till he was served -to his liking. In short, he behaved very much like a -spoiled child.</p> - -<p>If I pleased him quickly, he thanked me by a kind -of gentle murmur, like "hoohoo," and would hold out -his hand to shake mine. He knew perfectly how to -shake hands. He was very fond of boiled messes, -particularly boiled fish, and was constantly picking the -bones he found lying about the village. He wanted -always to taste of my coffee, and when Macondai -brought it would beg some of me in the most serious -manner.</p> - -<p>I made him a little pillow to sleep on, and he became -very fond of it. After he was accustomed to it, he -would never part with it, but dragged it after him -wherever he went. If by any chance it was lost the -whole camp knew it by his howls. Now and then, on -some forest excursion, he would mislay it, and then I -had to send people for it in order to stop his noise. At -other times the people would hide it, just to tease -him. He slept on it, coiled up in a little heap, and -only relinquished it when I gave him permission to -accompany me into the woods.</p> - -<p>As he became more and more used to our ways, he -grew more impatient of contradiction, and more fond -of being caressed; and whenever he was thwarted, he -would howl in his disagreeable way. Now and then I -gave him a flogging to teach him better manners.</p> - -<p>As the dry season came on it became colder, and -Tommy began to wish for company when he slept, to -keep him warm. The negroes would not have him for -a companion, for he seemed too much like one of -themselves. I did not like to have him in bed with -me. So poor Tommy was reduced to misery, as he<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_277" id="Page_277">[277]</a></span> -seemed to think nobody would have him. But soon I -found that he waited till everybody was fast asleep at -night, and then crawled in softly next some of his black -friends, and slept there till the earliest dawn. Then -he would get up and get away undiscovered. At other -times he felt too warm and comfortable to get up, and -was caught and beaten, but he always tried it again.</p> - -<p>He showed an extraordinary fondness for strong -drink. Whenever a negro had palm-wine Tommy -was sure to know it. He had a decided taste for -Scotch ale, of which I had a few bottles, and he even -begged for brandy. Indeed, his last exploit was with -a brandy bottle. One day, before going out to the hunt, -I had carelessly left the bottle on my chest. The little -rascal stole in and seized it; and being unable to get -out the cork, in some way he broke the bottle. When -I returned, after some hours' absence, I found my -precious bottle broken in pieces! It was the last; and -to an African traveller brandy is as indispensable as -quinine. Master Tommy was coiled up on the floor -amid the fragments, in a state of maudlin drunkenness. -When he saw me he got up and tried to stagger up to -me; but his legs tottered, and he fell down several -times. His eyes had the glare of human drunkenness; -his arms were extended in vain attempts to reach me; -his voice came thick; in fact, he looked disgustingly -and yet comically human. It was the maudlin and sentimental -stage of human drunkenness very well represented. -I had seen men looking exactly as Tommy -did, and I wished these drunkards could have seen him; -they might then, perhaps, have become so disgusted -with themselves that they would have given up their -horrid vice.</p> - -<p>I gave him a severe thrashing, which seemed to -sober the little toper somewhat; but nothing could -cure him of his love for liquor.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_278" id="Page_278">[278]</a></span></p> - -<p>He was also very fond of tea and coffee, but wanted -both to be well sweetened. He could drink out of a cup. -Sometimes, to tease him, I would not put in any sugar; -then he would throw down the cup and begin to howl; -and he would make the whole place resound with his -noise.</p> - -<p>He had a great deal of intelligence; and, if I had had -leisure, I think I might have trained him to some kind -of good behaviour, though I despaired of his thieving -disposition. The older he grew, the greater thief he -became.</p> - -<p>He lived so long, and was growing so accustomed to -civilized life, that I began to have great hopes of carrying -him alive to America.</p> - -<p>Sometimes he would come round the fire where my -men were and warm himself with them. How -comical he then looked! At other times, when they -took their meals, and ate out of a common dish, Master -Tommy would join the party; and when they would -all put their hands into the dish, he would put his -in also, and take a little handful of cooked and smoked -fish. In fact, he kept time with them.</p> - -<p>But alas! poor Tommy! One morning he refused -his food, seemed downcast, and was very anxious to -be petted and held in our arms. I got all kinds of -forest berries for him, but he refused all. He did not -seem to suffer, but he ate nothing; and next day, -without a struggle, he died. Poor fellow! he seemed -sorry to leave us. I was grieved; and even the -negroes, though he had given them great trouble, were -mournful at his death. He had hardly expired when -the news spread through the village that little Tommy -was no more. They all came to see him; he looked -as if he were asleep.</p> - -<p>It seemed as if we had lost a friend. We missed his -mischief and noise; and for many days we all<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_279" id="Page_279">[279]</a></span> -mourned for Tommy, and wished him back among -us.</p> - -<p>Tommy turned darker as he grew older. At the time -of his death he was yellow rather than white. If he -had lived to be old he would, no doubt, have become -black, like his mother.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>And now, young friends, for the present I have done. -I have told you many things about Africa, about its -strange animals, its terrible gorillas, its savage cannibals. -And all that I have told you is true; for it is what I -have seen with my own eyes.</p> - -<p>But I have not told you all that I saw and heard in -that far-distant country. I have many more singular -sights to describe and queer adventures to recount to -you.</p> - -<p>So I will not bid you farewell: I will say to you -"<i>Au revoir!</i>" That means "Good-bye till I come -again."</p> - - -<p class="p6 center">THE END.</p> - - -<p class="p4 center">Gilbert and Rivington, Ld., St. John's House, Clerkenwell Road, London.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_280" id="Page_280"></a></span></p> - - - - -<h2>Uniform with this Volume.</h2> - -<p class="center"><i>With numerous Illustrations, 2s. 6d.; gilt edges, 3s. 6d. each.</i></p> - - -<p class="p2"><b>Dick Cheveley.</b> By W. H. G. Kingston.</p> - -<p><b>Heir of Kilfinnan.</b> By W. H. G. Kingston.</p> - -<p><b>Off to the Wilds.</b> By G. Manville Fenn.</p> - -<p><b>The Two Supercargoes.</b> By W. H. G. -Kingston.</p> - -<p><b>The Silver Cañon.</b> By G. Manville Fenn.</p> - -<p><b>Under the Meteor Flag.</b> By Harry -Collingwood.</p> - -<p><b>Jack Archer</b>: a Tale of the Crimea. By G. -A. Henty.</p> - -<p><b>The Mutiny on board the Ship -"Leander."</b> By B. Heldmann.</p> - -<p><b>With Axe and Rifle</b>; or, The Western -Pioneers. By W. H. G. Kingston.</p> - -<p><b>Red Cloud, the Solitary Sioux</b>: a Tale of -the Great Prairie. By Colonel Sir William -Butler, K.C.B.</p> - -<p><b>The Voyage of the Aurora.</b>, By Harry -Collingwood.</p> - -<p><b>Charmouth Grange</b>: a Tale of the 17th -Century. By J. Percy Groves.</p> - -<p><b>Snowshoes and Canoes.</b> By W. H. G. -Kingston.</p> - -<p><b>The Son of the Constable of France.</b> -By Louis Rousselet.</p> - -<p><b>Captain Mugford</b>; or, Our Salt and Fresh -Water Tutors. Edited by W. H. G. Kingston.</p> - -<p><b>The Cornet of Horse</b>; a Tale of Marlborough's -Wars. By G. A. Henty.</p> - -<p><b>The Adventures of Captain Mago.</b> By -Leon Cahun.</p> - -<p><b>Noble Words and Noble Deeds.</b></p> - -<p><b>The King of the Tigers.</b> By Rousselet.</p> - -<p><b>Hans Brinker</b>; or, The Silver Skates. By -Mrs. Dodge.</p> - -<p><b>The Drummer-Boy</b>; a Story of the time of -Washington. By Rousselet.</p> - -<p><b>Adventures in New Guinea</b>: The Narrative -of Louis Trégance.</p> - -<p><b>The Crusoes of Guiana.</b> By Boussenard.</p> - -<p><b>The Gold-Seekers.</b> A Sequel to the above. -By Boussenard.</p> - -<p><b>Winning his Spurs</b>: a Tale of the Crusade. -By G. A. Henty.</p> - -<p><b>The Blue Banner.</b> By Leon Cahun.</p> - -<p><b>Ben Burton</b>; or, Born and Bred at Sea. By -W. H. G. Kingston.</p> - -<p><b>Adventures on the Great Hunting -Grounds of the World.</b> By V. Meunier.</p> - -<p><b>The Three Deserters</b>; or, Ran Away from -the Dutch. By M. T. H. Perelaer.</p> - -<p><b>My Kalulu, Prince, King, and Slave.</b> -By H. M. Stanley.</p> - -<p><b>Adventures of a Young Naturalist.</b> -By Lucien Biart. Edited and adapted by Parker -Gillmore (Ubique).</p> - -<p><b>The Startling Exploits of the Doctor.</b> -By Céliere.</p> - -<p><b>The Brothers Rantzau</b>: a Story of the -Vosges. By Erckmann-Chatrian.</p> - -<p><b>The Serpent Charmer.</b> By Louis Rousselet.</p> - -<p><b>Stories of the Gorilla Country.</b> By -Paul Du Chaillu.</p> - -<p><b>The Conquest of the Moon.</b> By A. Laurie.</p> - -<p><b>The Maid of the Ship "Golden Age."</b> -By H. E. Maclean.</p> - -<p><b>The Frozen Pirate.</b> By W. Clark Russell.</p> - -<p><b>The Marvellous Country.</b> By S. W. Cozzens.</p> - -<p><b>The Mountain Kingdom.</b> By D. Lawson -Johnstone.</p> - -<p><b>A Thousand Miles in the "Rob Roy" -Canoe.</b> By John MacGregor ("Rob Roy").</p> - -<p><b>Blacks and Bushrangers</b>; or, Adventures -in Queensland. By E. B. Kennedy.</p> - -<p><b>Sir Ludar</b>: a Tale of Love, War, and Adventure -in the days of the great Queen Bess. By Talbot -Baines Reed.</p> - -<p><b>Wild Life under the Equator.</b> By Paul -Du Chaillu.</p> - -<p><b>My Rambles in the New World.</b> By -Lucien Biart.</p> - -<p><b>New York to Brest in Seven Hours.</b> -By A. Laurie.</p> - -<p><b>Rob Roy on the Baltic.</b> By John MacGregor, -M.A.</p> - -<p><b>Bevis.</b> By Richard Jefferies. Edited by G. A. -Henty.</p> - -<p><b>The Cobbler of Cornikeranium.</b> By -Rev. A. N. Malan.</p> - -<p><b>Strange Stories of Adventure.</b> By -Captain Mayne Reid.</p> - -<p><b>The Aztec Treasure-House.</b> By T. A. -Janvier.</p> - -<p><b>How Martin Drake found his Father.</b> -By G. Norway.</p> - -<p><b>Roger Ingleton, Minor.</b> By T. B. Reed.</p> - -<p><b>Axel Ebersen, the Graduate of Upsala.</b> -By A. Laurie.</p> - -<p><b>Sandy Carmichael.</b> By C. J. Hyne.</p> - -<p><b>The Priceless Orchid.</b> By Percy Ainslie.</p> - -<p><b>An Inca Queen.</b> By J. Evelyn.</p> - -<p><b>Voyage Alone in the Yawl "Rob -Roy."</b> By J. MacGregor.</p> - -<p><b>Adrift In the Pacific.</b> By Jules Verne.</p> - -<p><b>The Purchase of the North Pole.</b> By -Jules Verne.</p> - - -<p class="center p4"><span class="smcap">London</span>: SAMPSON LOW, MARSTON & COMPANY, <span class="smcap">Ltd., -St. Dunstan's House, Fetter Lane, Fleet Street, E.C.</span></p> - - - - - - - - -<pre> - - - - - -End of Project Gutenberg's Stories of the Gorilla Country, by Paul Du Chaillu - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK STORIES OF THE GORILLA COUNTRY *** - -***** This file should be named 52444-h.htm or 52444-h.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/5/2/4/4/52444/ - -Produced by Carlos Colón, Princeton Theological Seminary -Library and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at -http://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images -generously made available by The Internet Archive) - - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will -be renamed. - -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United -States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. Special rules, set forth in the General Terms of Use part -of this license, apply to copying and distributing Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic works to protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm -concept and trademark. Project Gutenberg is a registered trademark, -and may not be used if you charge for the eBooks, unless you receive -specific permission. If you do not charge anything for copies of this -eBook, complying with the rules is very easy. You may use this eBook -for nearly any purpose such as creation of derivative works, reports, -performances and research. They may be modified and printed and given -away--you may do practically ANYTHING in the United States with eBooks -not protected by U.S. copyright law. Redistribution is subject to the -trademark license, especially commercial redistribution. - -START: FULL LICENSE - -THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE -PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK - -To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free -distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work -(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project -Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full -Project Gutenberg-tm License available with this file or online at -www.gutenberg.org/license. - -Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic works - -1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to -and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property -(trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all -the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or -destroy all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your -possession. If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a -Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound -by the terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the -person or entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph -1.E.8. - -1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be -used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who -agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few -things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works -even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See -paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this -agreement and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic works. See paragraph 1.E below. - -1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the -Foundation" or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection -of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual -works in the collection are in the public domain in the United -States. If an individual work is unprotected by copyright law in the -United States and you are located in the United States, we do not -claim a right to prevent you from copying, distributing, performing, -displaying or creating derivative works based on the work as long as -all references to Project Gutenberg are removed. Of course, we hope -that you will support the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting -free access to electronic works by freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm -works in compliance with the terms of this agreement for keeping the -Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with the work. You can easily -comply with the terms of this agreement by keeping this work in the -same format with its attached full Project Gutenberg-tm License when -you share it without charge with others. - -1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern -what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are -in a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, -check the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this -agreement before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, -distributing or creating derivative works based on this work or any -other Project Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no -representations concerning the copyright status of any work in any -country outside the United States. - -1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: - -1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other -immediate access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear -prominently whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work -on which the phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the -phrase "Project Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, -performed, viewed, copied or distributed: - - This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and - most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no - restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it - under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this - eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the - United States, you'll have to check the laws of the country where you - are located before using this ebook. - -1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is -derived from texts not protected by U.S. copyright law (does not -contain a notice indicating that it is posted with permission of the -copyright holder), the work can be copied and distributed to anyone in -the United States without paying any fees or charges. If you are -redistributing or providing access to a work with the phrase "Project -Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the work, you must comply -either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 or -obtain permission for the use of the work and the Project Gutenberg-tm -trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. - -1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted -with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution -must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any -additional terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms -will be linked to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works -posted with the permission of the copyright holder found at the -beginning of this work. - -1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm -License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this -work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. - -1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this -electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without -prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with -active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project -Gutenberg-tm License. - -1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, -compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including -any word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access -to or distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format -other than "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official -version posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site -(www.gutenberg.org), you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense -to the user, provide a copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means -of obtaining a copy upon request, of the work in its original "Plain -Vanilla ASCII" or other form. Any alternate format must include the -full Project Gutenberg-tm License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. - -1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, -performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works -unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. - -1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing -access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works -provided that - -* You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from - the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method - you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is owed - to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he has - agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the Project - Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments must be paid - within 60 days following each date on which you prepare (or are - legally required to prepare) your periodic tax returns. Royalty - payments should be clearly marked as such and sent to the Project - Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the address specified in - Section 4, "Information about donations to the Project Gutenberg - Literary Archive Foundation." - -* You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies - you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he - does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm - License. You must require such a user to return or destroy all - copies of the works possessed in a physical medium and discontinue - all use of and all access to other copies of Project Gutenberg-tm - works. - -* You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of - any money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the - electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days of - receipt of the work. - -* You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free - distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. - -1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic work or group of works on different terms than -are set forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing -from both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and The -Project Gutenberg Trademark LLC, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm -trademark. Contact the Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. - -1.F. - -1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable -effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread -works not protected by U.S. copyright law in creating the Project -Gutenberg-tm collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may -contain "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate -or corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other -intellectual property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or -other medium, a computer virus, or computer codes that damage or -cannot be read by your equipment. - -1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right -of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project -Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project -Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all -liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal -fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT -LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE -PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE -TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE -LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR -INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH -DAMAGE. - -1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a -defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can -receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a -written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you -received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium -with your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you -with the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in -lieu of a refund. If you received the work electronically, the person -or entity providing it to you may choose to give you a second -opportunity to receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If -the second copy is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing -without further opportunities to fix the problem. - -1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth -in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS', WITH NO -OTHER WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT -LIMITED TO WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. - -1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied -warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of -damages. If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement -violates the law of the state applicable to this agreement, the -agreement shall be interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or -limitation permitted by the applicable state law. The invalidity or -unenforceability of any provision of this agreement shall not void the -remaining provisions. - -1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the -trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone -providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in -accordance with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the -production, promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic works, harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, -including legal fees, that arise directly or indirectly from any of -the following which you do or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this -or any Project Gutenberg-tm work, (b) alteration, modification, or -additions or deletions to any Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any -Defect you cause. - -Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm - -Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of -electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of -computers including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It -exists because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations -from people in all walks of life. - -Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the -assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's -goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will -remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project -Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure -and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future -generations. To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary -Archive Foundation and how your efforts and donations can help, see -Sections 3 and 4 and the Foundation information page at -www.gutenberg.org Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg -Literary Archive Foundation - -The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit -501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the -state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal -Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification -number is 64-6221541. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg Literary -Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent permitted by -U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. - -The Foundation's principal office is in Fairbanks, Alaska, with the -mailing address: PO Box 750175, Fairbanks, AK 99775, but its -volunteers and employees are scattered throughout numerous -locations. Its business office is located at 809 North 1500 West, Salt -Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887. Email contact links and up to -date contact information can be found at the Foundation's web site and -official page at www.gutenberg.org/contact - -For additional contact information: - - Dr. Gregory B. Newby - Chief Executive and Director - gbnewby@pglaf.org - -Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg -Literary Archive Foundation - -Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide -spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of -increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be -freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest -array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations -($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt -status with the IRS. - -The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating -charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United -States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a -considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up -with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations -where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To SEND -DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any particular -state visit www.gutenberg.org/donate - -While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we -have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition -against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who -approach us with offers to donate. - -International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make -any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from -outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. - -Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation -methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other -ways including checks, online payments and credit card donations. To -donate, please visit: www.gutenberg.org/donate - -Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works. - -Professor Michael S. Hart was the originator of the Project -Gutenberg-tm concept of a library of electronic works that could be -freely shared with anyone. For forty years, he produced and -distributed Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of -volunteer support. - -Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed -editions, all of which are confirmed as not protected by copyright in -the U.S. unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not -necessarily keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper -edition. - -Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search -facility: www.gutenberg.org - -This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, -including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary -Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to -subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. - - - -</pre> - -</body> -</html> diff --git a/old/52444-h/images/birds.png b/old/52444-h/images/birds.png Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index c7585b0..0000000 --- a/old/52444-h/images/birds.png +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/52444-h/images/capt.png b/old/52444-h/images/capt.png Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index 1735612..0000000 --- a/old/52444-h/images/capt.png +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/52444-h/images/cover.jpg b/old/52444-h/images/cover.jpg Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index db9f55e..0000000 --- a/old/52444-h/images/cover.jpg +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/52444-h/images/dance.png b/old/52444-h/images/dance.png Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index 9fc5ff9..0000000 --- a/old/52444-h/images/dance.png +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/52444-h/images/dinner.png b/old/52444-h/images/dinner.png Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index a0ed703..0000000 --- a/old/52444-h/images/dinner.png +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/52444-h/images/ele1.png b/old/52444-h/images/ele1.png Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index dfccb29..0000000 --- a/old/52444-h/images/ele1.png +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/52444-h/images/ele2.png b/old/52444-h/images/ele2.png Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index 3da20e7..0000000 --- a/old/52444-h/images/ele2.png +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/52444-h/images/face.png b/old/52444-h/images/face.png Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index 020b5d1..0000000 --- a/old/52444-h/images/face.png +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/52444-h/images/fall.png b/old/52444-h/images/fall.png Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index b3c1ad5..0000000 --- a/old/52444-h/images/fall.png +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/52444-h/images/fish.png b/old/52444-h/images/fish.png Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index 9ac9d56..0000000 --- a/old/52444-h/images/fish.png +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/52444-h/images/front.png b/old/52444-h/images/front.png Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index f84ea15..0000000 --- a/old/52444-h/images/front.png +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/52444-h/images/gaz.png b/old/52444-h/images/gaz.png Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index 9d67632..0000000 --- a/old/52444-h/images/gaz.png +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/52444-h/images/glass.png b/old/52444-h/images/glass.png Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index a621011..0000000 --- a/old/52444-h/images/glass.png +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/52444-h/images/ground.png b/old/52444-h/images/ground.png Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index 61fd94a..0000000 --- a/old/52444-h/images/ground.png +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/52444-h/images/handja.png b/old/52444-h/images/handja.png Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index 5f4c975..0000000 --- a/old/52444-h/images/handja.png +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/52444-h/images/hip.png b/old/52444-h/images/hip.png Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index a3b5234..0000000 --- a/old/52444-h/images/hip.png +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/52444-h/images/hunt.png b/old/52444-h/images/hunt.png Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index d36530f..0000000 --- a/old/52444-h/images/hunt.png +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/52444-h/images/hunt2.png b/old/52444-h/images/hunt2.png Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index 79fb347..0000000 --- a/old/52444-h/images/hunt2.png +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/52444-h/images/hunti.png b/old/52444-h/images/hunti.png Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index ce95a56..0000000 --- a/old/52444-h/images/hunti.png +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/52444-h/images/illo1.png b/old/52444-h/images/illo1.png Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index 170041f..0000000 --- a/old/52444-h/images/illo1.png +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/52444-h/images/illo10.png b/old/52444-h/images/illo10.png Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index ace9f72..0000000 --- a/old/52444-h/images/illo10.png +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/52444-h/images/illo11.png b/old/52444-h/images/illo11.png Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index ecab654..0000000 --- a/old/52444-h/images/illo11.png +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/52444-h/images/illo12.png b/old/52444-h/images/illo12.png Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index e0b367f..0000000 --- a/old/52444-h/images/illo12.png +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/52444-h/images/illo13.png b/old/52444-h/images/illo13.png Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index 79ebfbc..0000000 --- a/old/52444-h/images/illo13.png +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/52444-h/images/illo2.png b/old/52444-h/images/illo2.png Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index 6720b8c..0000000 --- a/old/52444-h/images/illo2.png +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/52444-h/images/illo3.png b/old/52444-h/images/illo3.png Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index 93983c5..0000000 --- a/old/52444-h/images/illo3.png +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/52444-h/images/illo4.png b/old/52444-h/images/illo4.png Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index 4874915..0000000 --- a/old/52444-h/images/illo4.png +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/52444-h/images/illo5.png b/old/52444-h/images/illo5.png Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index 7358cb2..0000000 --- a/old/52444-h/images/illo5.png +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/52444-h/images/illo6.png b/old/52444-h/images/illo6.png Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index 7adc428..0000000 --- a/old/52444-h/images/illo6.png +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/52444-h/images/illo7.png b/old/52444-h/images/illo7.png Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index 67fa98e..0000000 --- a/old/52444-h/images/illo7.png +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/52444-h/images/illo8.png b/old/52444-h/images/illo8.png Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index 361161e..0000000 --- a/old/52444-h/images/illo8.png +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/52444-h/images/illo9.png b/old/52444-h/images/illo9.png Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index 7443e3f..0000000 --- a/old/52444-h/images/illo9.png +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/52444-h/images/king.png b/old/52444-h/images/king.png Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index 22387e4..0000000 --- a/old/52444-h/images/king.png +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/52444-h/images/leop.png b/old/52444-h/images/leop.png Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index 154daeb..0000000 --- a/old/52444-h/images/leop.png +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/52444-h/images/mbou.png b/old/52444-h/images/mbou.png Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index 86b9d8d..0000000 --- a/old/52444-h/images/mbou.png +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/52444-h/images/mbouve.png b/old/52444-h/images/mbouve.png Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index e9c4733..0000000 --- a/old/52444-h/images/mbouve.png +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/52444-h/images/mbuiti.png b/old/52444-h/images/mbuiti.png Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index 1b47be6..0000000 --- a/old/52444-h/images/mbuiti.png +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/52444-h/images/me.png b/old/52444-h/images/me.png Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index 79747dc..0000000 --- a/old/52444-h/images/me.png +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/52444-h/images/mourn.png b/old/52444-h/images/mourn.png Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index ac562b1..0000000 --- a/old/52444-h/images/mourn.png +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/52444-h/images/one.png b/old/52444-h/images/one.png Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index 4eccc92..0000000 --- a/old/52444-h/images/one.png +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/52444-h/images/ordeal.png b/old/52444-h/images/ordeal.png Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index 2a5a407..0000000 --- a/old/52444-h/images/ordeal.png +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/52444-h/images/peli.png b/old/52444-h/images/peli.png Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index e0a0189..0000000 --- a/old/52444-h/images/peli.png +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/52444-h/images/scene.png b/old/52444-h/images/scene.png Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index e9ad223..0000000 --- a/old/52444-h/images/scene.png +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/52444-h/images/slaves.png b/old/52444-h/images/slaves.png Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index 9efea67..0000000 --- a/old/52444-h/images/slaves.png +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/52444-h/images/snake.png b/old/52444-h/images/snake.png Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index a3da6ea..0000000 --- a/old/52444-h/images/snake.png +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/52444-h/images/sun.png b/old/52444-h/images/sun.png Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index d4b0d06..0000000 --- a/old/52444-h/images/sun.png +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/52444-h/images/torn.png b/old/52444-h/images/torn.png Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index 9895cde..0000000 --- a/old/52444-h/images/torn.png +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/52444-h/images/us.png b/old/52444-h/images/us.png Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index 1e52294..0000000 --- a/old/52444-h/images/us.png +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/52444-h/images/work.png b/old/52444-h/images/work.png Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index 9b3aca5..0000000 --- a/old/52444-h/images/work.png +++ /dev/null |
