IN AFRICAN FOREST AND JUNGLE 



his back in an otaitai, some smoked elephant meat, 

 his gun, ammunition, two axes, a machete, and some 

 food. I carried " Bulldog," ammunition, and koola 

 nuts. Andekko and Ndova had nothing to carry. 

 Andekko seemed to know that we were on a journey 

 and that he had to follow us. Ndova was tied on the 

 "precious box" and stood on the top of it. 



The hunting-path was almost obliterated, as it was 

 so seldom used. Trees had fallen across it in many 

 places. In some the jungle had grown over it. In 

 others we had to pass under the branches of some 

 fallen trees or walk on the roots. 



Towards noon we stopped to eat and rest a little 

 while, then we continued on our way. How silent 

 was the forest ! Not even the shrill cry of a mon- 

 key or of a parrot was heard. Once in a while we 

 could hear the fall of a leaf or the gentle murmur 

 of some little stream winding its way towards some 

 unknown river. 



A little before dark we stopped, and made our camp 

 for the night. We collected a large quantity of dead 

 branches of trees that had fallen on the ground for 

 our fires, and lighted many, and after a hearty meal of 

 boiled elephant meat we fell asleep. 



By daylight we were up and continued our journey. 

 We slept again in the forest, though we were near the 



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