MEN OF THE TREES 



the warning that comes through change in topography, 

 the nature of the forest suddenly altered into what was 

 obviously Secondary Bush. Although equally dense as the 

 original forest, it contained a greater percentage of infe- 

 rior species of little economic value. 



Whilst pondering this problem, I stumbled over the 

 top of a bank into a deep ditch, which though densely 

 covered with scrub, suggested the ancient excavations of 

 a city wall. Cutting my way along the bottom, I found 

 that it described the arc of a circle, and was, without 

 doubt, part of the surrounding wall of some deserted 

 city. Further cutting away of the bush for archaeologi- 

 cal research was at that time impossible. However, on 

 questioning an old man of the district, I discovered that 

 there was an established tradition of an ancient city that 

 once existed on that spot, which had been abandoned ow- 

 ing to the ravages of some mysterious malady. This with 

 other Forest mysteries I leave for future research. 



In spite of the dangers, the spell of the Forest is broken 

 by the sound of the swinging axe as man invades its 

 depths. Feeling his way along game paths in search of the 

 big mahoganies, he stakes his life on his chances, as a pros- 

 pector on his claim. 



He is under the spell of the Forest in his quest for the 

 gold that comes from a successful find. The mottled ma- 

 hogany log is often an illusive dream, though the ordi- 

 nary giant is turned to account and, once felled and 

 shaped, begins its long journey from the forest to the 

 sea. Even here the spell of the Forest controls; in the same 



166 



