IN AFRICAN FOREST AND JUNGLE 



and they repeated these words over and over. They 

 began to fire guns, thus showing that they were on a 

 great mission and that it was an occasion worth wasting 

 powder for. 



As we came opposite the village of Rotembo, we 

 suddenly turned towards the land, with the head of 

 our canoe facing the village. Rikimongani stood up 

 now so that the people on shore could recognize him. 

 We landed in the midst of singing, tomtom-beating, 

 and gun-firing. 



As my paddlers jumped out of the canoe, they 

 shouted to the great number of people that had 

 come to look at us : ^' We are men ! We are men ! 

 We have come with the great Oguizi." Then all 

 became silent, and we passed through the people 

 walking until we came to a large structure with a 

 roof supported by pillars. There we waited for 

 Rotembo the Wise, surrounded by hundreds of 

 villagers. 



Soon we heard the noise of the kendo, a rude iron 

 bell, the emblem of chiefs. Rotembo was coming. 

 As he rang it, he invoked the spirits of his ancestors 

 to be with him, and soon I saw his tall erect form 

 walking towards us. 



He kept beating the kendo, and at last came under 

 the great shed and walked towards the stool that was 



3 



