IN AFRICAN FOREST AND JUNGLE 



river. The following morning we stood upon its 

 bank, and I saw in the middle of the stream a long 

 sandy island. 



Rogala, pointing out the island to me, said: " Oguizi, 

 this is the island of which I spoke." 



Putting our loads on the ground, we took our axes, 

 and cut down trees to build a raft. 



When the raft was ready, Rogala put upon it 

 the " precious box," Ndova, and Andekko, and then 

 crossed to the island. Ndova was very much afraid 

 of the water, and clung to Rogala, who, after land- 

 ing the box, the monkey, and the dog, came back 

 for me. 



An exclamation of joy arose involuntarily to my 

 lips as I landed. How lovely was the blue sky, in 

 the midst of which transparent white clouds were 

 moving slowly! How cheerful was the sunshine! 

 It felt so good to tread upon the soft white sand, to 

 be in a place where there was not a tree, not even a 

 blade of grass. In a word, the island was beautifully 

 bare of vegetation. I was so tired of trees and of the 

 forests. I rolled in the sand, lay on my back, and 

 looked at the blue sky. 



" We will remain on this island for a few days," I 

 said to Rogala, " and to-morrow we will build a shelter 

 for ourselves. During the day we will go into the 



122 



