IN AFRICAN FOREST AND JUNGLE 



posed his tribe, and in case of war his people, scat- 

 tered in a goodly number of small villages, could 

 muster many warriors. 



Rotembo was tall, walked very erect, and had a 

 commanding appearance. His hair was white ; several 

 ugly scars told of his warlike character and experiences 

 in days gone by. When young he loved war, and the 

 people feared him. Now that he had become old he 

 loved peace, and his neighbors and people were happy 

 on that account. 



In the midst of vociferous cheers he put his kendo, 

 the emblem of a chieftain, upon my left shoulder ; 

 then said with a loud voice : " During the time you 

 stay with me you will be our chief; we will all obey 

 you." After these words the tomtoms beat furiously, 

 and guns were fired. 



The speech-making being over, my men went to 

 our canoe and brought back the goods I had with me. 

 I had come to Rotembo rich, for I had brought twenty 

 brass kettles, one hundred copper rods, a goodly 

 number of bunches of beads, looking-glasses, fire 

 steel and flints, files, and my " precious box," which I 

 valued more than everything else I possessed, for in 

 that box were the instruments and books which 

 helped me to know my latitude and longitude, and 

 the days of the week and of the month when I had 



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