STARVATION AND SUFFERING.

475

obtain a view which would make out our position. But they could see only an interminable forest, whose general outline was so far hidden from them that it was impossible even to say that. we were near or far from the plain, or how high or low we were.

So, on the 25th, we set out on our way back, praying only that we might not starve by the way. Fortunately, one of the men discovered a bee's nest in a tree, and we ate up their wormy store of honey, and in the afternoon we shot a leopard, which lay in a tree just ahead of us as we were passing along, and I dare say hoped to make his dinner off one of our party. It was a splendid beast, and very large. We had it cut to pieces in short order, and had a satisfactory supper from leopard-steak.

But there was only a bite apiece for the party, and we half famished. The next morning we rose weak and depressed. I could scarce stand. We picked a few berries for breakfast, and again made for the plain. I took a last mouthful of brandy, and, to encourage the men, walked in advance, and assumed a degree. of high spirits which I did not in reality possess.

27th. This morning I could only with great difficulty rise from my poor bed of leaves. We set forward without breakfast. I dared not send the men into the forest for berries, for every hour was precious, and they might not find any after all. So we walked on with empty stomachs, praying for a sight of the plain.

On, and on, and on, through the gloomy jungle, no man saying a word to the other, and every man looking anxiously for the first sign of the prairie-land, which now seemed a very fairy-land

to me.

At last, in the afternoon, about three o'clock, a sudden lighting up of the forest's gloom gave us hope, and after another hour's anxious marching the wide plain lay before us. With a sudden renewal of strength and hope, we set off on a run, nor stopped till we had reached a village at the very bounds of the bush. Here the people were at first very much alarmed at our appearance and our frantic actions. Food, food, food, was all any of us could cry out. When they discovered that we did not mean mischief, they approached, and, learning our necessities, made haste to supply us with all manner of food in their possession. One came with yams, another with plantains, others with little baskets of cassada; and all expressed sorrow that they had nothing better to offer. The chief killed a goat for me, which we ate

476

RETURN TO THE PRAIRIE.

up as fast as it could be cooked. I feared I should be sick from putting too large a share on my so long empty stomach; but, happily, the goat did not disagree with any of us. Probably there was not enough of it.

The next day we returned to Olenda's town, and were received with all the honors due to such a starvation adventure. Makondai came with tears of joy in his eyes to welcome me back. He told me that in my absence a boy had been accused of witchcraft, and was to be killed the next day. I went to the king, and told him nobody must be murdered on such nonsensical account while I was there, for I should leave instantly, and never come back. So, after some hesitation, they gave the boy to me, and he is to-night safe in my house.

The weather has been very hot lately, and, as my hair was too long for comfort, I told Makondai one day to cut it for me, giving him a pair of scissors I had in my kit. He did not do it very artistically, but, in the interior of Africa, one comes to care little for looks or fashions. When he was done, he gathered the cut hair up and threw it out into the street. I was not attending to

ASHIRA HOUSEKEEPER.

477

what he was doing, and was surprised presently at a noise of scuffling and fighting in front of my house.

The men

I looked out, and beheld a most laughable scene. were busily picking up the scattered hairs, and those who could not get at them were disputing possession with their luckier neighbors. Even the old king, Olenda, was in the midst, eager for a share. As each got what he could, he would tie them up carefully in the corner of his ndengui, and walk off very contentedly.

I called Olenda and asked what was the use of this hair. He replied, "Oh, spirit! these hairs are very precious; we shall make mondas (fetiches) of them, and they will bring other white men to us, and bring us great good luck and riches. Since you have come to us, oh spirit! we have wished to have some of your hair, but did not dare to ask for it, not knowing that it could be cut." I was happy that it had not occurred to them to appropriate violently my whole head, hair and all, and was glad enough to let the old king walk off with his precious lock of a white man's hair.

On going one day into the house of an Ashira chief I saw an idol, which, after much urging and for good pay, he sold me. Its likeness is given on the preceding page. Its office is to watch over the property of its owner, and keep thieves out of the house; and I was assured that no one could, and, what is better, no one did steal while this "housekeeper" was cared for, and kept in the house.

The Ashira grow jealous of my Projects.-Set out for the Apingi Country.—Olenda blesses us.- -The Passage of the Ovigui.-Rude Bridge.-Features of the Country. We meet Gorillas.-The Roar of the Gorilla.-His Walk.-Great Strength. -Meet the Apingi King.—I fall into an Elephant-hole.-Famine.-Musquitoes. -We see the Rembo Apingi River.-Reception among the Apingi.—Address of the King.—I am offered a Slave for my Supper.-Wonder of the People at my Appearance. The mysterious Sapadi, a cloven-footed Race.-My Clock is thought a guardian Spirit.—I am asked to make a Mountain of Beads and Trade-goods. -Fruitfulness of the Women.-Appearance of the People.-A Leopard-trap.— Invested with the Kendo.-Palm-oil. - Palm-wine.-- Drunkenness universal.— Tattooing. Dress of the Women.-Lack of Modesty.—I am claimed as a Husband. — Weaving of Grass-cloth. — Property among the Apingi. —The Apingi Loom. The Ndengui.-Fetich to kill Leopards.-War Belt.

My determination to go farther into the interior has aroused the jealousy of the Ashiras. All the chiefs came in to Olenda and expressed their disapproval of my project. They do not wish their trade interfered with, and are fearful, if a white man once reaches the far East beyond them, those people will not be content to trade with the Ashira longer. I stated my objects, and that I did not go as trader, but as traveler, and to collect new animals. At last Olenda said, "This white man must go where he wishes. He has been sent to me by my friend Quengueza. He must do what he pleases."

Then the rascally chiefs asked me what I would give them as presents if I was permitted to go. To this I put on a show of anger, and asked if I was not their guest, their stranger, and why they were so mean as to beg me for my goods? They seemed much ashamed. Of course, I gave them some trifles afterward for good-will.

There was a show of reason for their fears. Among my train were several men from Goumbi, slaves of influential men of that town, who had been sent with me with trade articles, such as the Ashira most want, in order to bring back to Goumbi ivory and the bongo cloth (grass-cloth), which is the staple export of the Ashiras. Of course it was feared that not only I, but also these fellows, would confuse and break up the Ashira monopoly of trade