N-BUAMBA. 403 



trade, but being anxious to get to the mountains I 

 would not stop. During the afternoon we came 

 to the confluence of a small tributary of the Como, 

 and shortly after brought up a short distance above 

 a considerable sized village called N'buamba. 

 Here I had my hammock slung between two trees, 

 and protected from the dew by a large double 

 waterproof sheet, made expressly for me by Cording 

 after my own fashion, with brass rings and cords 

 all round, so that it formed a very comfortable tent 

 at a pinch. In fact, it was the only one I used 

 during my stay in the Gaboon district, for although 

 I had a canvas hill-tent, I found it too heavy to 

 transport through the bush. 



Whilst supper was preparing, my attention was 

 attracted by the barking of my dog a short distance 

 from our bivouac, which was followed by several 

 snarling yelps in a higher key, and thinking that 

 he might perhaps have caught a young jackal, I 

 shouldered my rifle, and was making my way 

 towards the spot from whence the sounds proceeded, 

 when all at once I found myself close to a native 

 village, and face to face with two young and well- 

 2d2 



