IN AFRICAN FOREST AND JUNGLE 



I said to Rogala, Shinshooko, and Alapai : " It is a 

 long time since I have seen the sun, the moon, and 

 the stars, for when I look up I see nothing but leaves 

 which hide the heavens from my sight. I wish to go 

 to a large open place, to a river where I can see the sun, 

 the moon, and the stars, for I want to speak to them 

 and consult them." 



When my hunters heard me speak in that manner, 

 all three looked at me with wonder. Their eyes 

 stood wide open with astonishment and seemed to be 

 twice as big as before. 



Rogala replied : " Oguizi, about two days' journey 

 from our camp there is a river with a long sandy 

 island which always comes out during the dry season 

 when the water is low. On that island you will be 

 able to see the sun, the moon, and the stars.'* 



It was agreed that Shinshooko and Alapai should 

 return to their home and tell the news about us to be 

 sent to Chief Rotembo. 



By daylight the following day we were ready to 

 start. We hid the ladder at some distance from our 

 camp, and bade one another farewell. Shinshooko 

 and Alapai soon disappeared from our sight. 



We took an old hunting-path that led to the river 

 and sandy island. Rogala and I had each a heavy 

 load to carry. Rogala carried the " precious box " on 



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