In the Volcanic Region 131 



forward and shake their lance, which they hold pressed against 

 the ground to test its elasticity. The nearer we approached to 

 the buffalo, however, the lower sank their courage ; and as soon 

 as the herd — invisible even at a few paces distant, on account of 

 the dense undergrowth — began to move, and the cane cracked all 

 around us, the brave fellows vanished instantly out of sight and 

 hearing. Some sought cover in the bushes, others bounded up 

 aloft with the greatest agility, seized hold of a couple of bamboo 

 stalks, and swung in the air with legs extended, graciously 

 permitting the attacking buffaloes an easy passage below them. 



The skill and celerity with which the Batwa can wind their 

 way through thicket and creepers are amazing, and it is an exceed- 

 ingly fatiguing task to attempt to follow them along elephant 

 tracks and to the haunts of the buffalo. Their apparel — if it can 

 be called such — a simple apron of beaten fibrous bark, offers no 

 hold to the thorns, as the clothing of the European so constantly 

 does. They are invincible opponents in the forest, their real 

 home. Whilst marching out a little distance from the forest 

 zone one day searching for fresh camping quarters, the Batwa 

 suddenly declared that they could no longer follow us. No 

 sooner said than done ; they disappeared back into the forest, 

 and we saw them no more till we again pitched our camp in the 

 forest. 



The chief leaders of the two tribes with whom we came into 

 contact were Sebulese and Gunsu. On Raven's first visit the 

 former had shown himself friendly, but Gunsu would not allow 

 himself to be talked over even by Barthelemy. Gunsu had the 

 reputation of being an exceedingly adroit caravan robber, and 

 his people in consequence spoke of him in terms of great respect. 

 A successful raid which he had carried out shortly before seemed 

 to burden his conscience, and the mistrustful old fellow no doubt 

 connected our visit with it. So we caused a message to be 

 shouted through the forest that no harm should come to him, that 

 we desired only to shoot buffaloes, and that their meat should be 

 the spoil of him and his people. With the design of fathoming 

 our intentions, he sent along his son into our camp, and his report 



