IN AFRICAN FOREST AND JUNGLE 



suddenly they stopped and looked frightened. They 

 were looking at my Waterbury clock, and as soon as 

 they heard the tick-tock they turned suddenly and 

 fled in great haste towards their canoe. In a jifFy 

 they left, filled with fear, and paddled away down 

 the river with the greatest speed. I followed them 

 with my eyes until they disappeared behind a bend 

 of the river. 



When Rogala rejoined me, I told him what I had 

 seen, and he said : " Those people live higher up the 

 river, and are going to visit their friends." 



I drew a long breath of relief as soon as v/e got 

 upon our raft, for we did not know but that the leop- 

 ards were after us. 



Suddenly Rogala said : " I have forgotten the 

 snake." 



" Never mind," I said to him, " we will go after 

 turtle*s eggs." 



We had reached the island just in good time, for 

 soon after we heard the roaring of the leopards. They 

 had scented us. 



Happily the water was between us. Their rage 

 knew no bounds, for they saw the impassable barrier 

 between us. I said to Rogala : " Hold one of the 

 little leopards up by the neck so that they can see 

 him." Then I fired and succeeded in killing one of 



^17 



