332 ASHANGO-LAND. Chap. XVI. 



They have the reputation of being more quarrelsome 

 than the Ishogos, and of beiug greater liars. This 

 sin of lying is, unfortunately, thouglit of little matter 

 in this part of the world. They are not drunkards, 

 like the Aponos, though palm-trees are abundant 

 throughout the district, and they drink the palm 

 wine, but in moderation. They know also how to 

 extract oil from the nuts of the oil palm-tree, which 

 is here very abundant. 



July 7th, Niembouai Olomba lies at the foot of a 

 fine wooded hill, on a ridge between two deep narrow 

 valleys or gorges, one running east and west and 

 the other north-east and south-west. The wind from 

 the south blew cool and refreshing, both last night 

 and this morning. At six a.m. the thermometer 

 stood at 68° Fahr., with a clear sky and a bright 

 sun. Along the deep valley towards the east I had 

 a magnificent view of the rising sun. It was the 

 happiest morning I had had for a long time, and I 

 felt invigorated with the cool breeze, after the close 

 heat of the forest-paths and crowded villages during 

 the last few weeks. Towards two p.m. the sky be- 

 came cloudy again. 



July Sth. Last night, as I was quietly lying on my 

 bed, I was aroused by a rustling and scratching noise 

 in the hut, and the flying of numerous cockroaches, 

 some of them alighting on the back of my neck, 

 which, by the way, produces one of the most un- 

 pleasant sensations I know of. I knew it must be 

 an invasion of Bashikouay ants, and started up and 

 called my men. The active creatures were already 

 on my bed, and I was lucky in making my escape 



