NATIVE HUNTERS. 39 



There is a large snake, called " songo," which is said to be very deadly and to 

 kill many people, and possesses a crest or comb like a cock. This snake is said to 

 live on trees on the top of certain hills, up which natives will seldom venture. 



To encompass the death of this snake, hot usanji porridge is made and placed 

 in a pot on the head, and the snake, who lives in branches, thinking it to be the 

 man's head, strikes and goes into the hot gruel, which covers his mouth and eyes. 



Certain families and tribes will not eat certain animals, as the spirits of their 

 ancestors are supposed to dwell in them. 



People who cannot eat elephant among the Angoni are called mzunga, whereas 

 the crocodile contains the spirit of the Awemba big chiefs. 



In choosing a hunter care must be taken that he is a hunter, as any native 

 will pose as one, and that he comes from some trustworthy tribe {i.e., not a slave 

 tribe). 



If both these requirements are satisfied it will be found that there are few 

 natives who can equal the Central African for a cheerful, good-natured, attentive, and 

 faithful servant, and his bushcraft, endurance, and pluck are beyond all praise. 



