CHAPTER XXVIII 



OUR PROVISIONS FAIL — ATTACKED AGAIN BY BASHI- 

 KOUAYS — RELEASE OF AKENDA-MBANI FROM HIS 

 FETTERS — HE PROVES A GOOD TRAPPER — " GOU- 

 AMBa"— MY WAKING VISIONS — ANOTHER HUNTING 

 EXPEDITION —WE KILL TWO MONKEYS, THEN STARVE 

 AGAIN 



BERRIES and nuts had become very scarce and 

 we had to go a long way to gather them, for 

 those that were near our camp had been eaten. Game 

 had also become very scarce. One day we all set 

 out for the depths of the forest together. Before 

 leaving the camp we made signs to Akenda-Mbani 

 that we were going after food, by opening our mouths 

 and drawing our stomachs in, to show that they 

 were empty. He evidently understood us, for he 

 smiled. 



" If we fail to find food," said Rogala, "it will be 

 on account of witchcraft ; yes," he shouted, " it will 

 be on account of witchcraft. I have always suspected 

 Okambi of being a sorcerer, and it will be his witch- 

 craft that will cause our starving." 



i8i 



