132 In the Heart of Africa 



concerning us must have been favourable, for one day he put in 

 an appearance himself, and thus for the first time came into close 

 contact with white men. 



The Batwa are anything but agreeable to associate with. 

 Their indolence is sufficient to make anyone despair. Whilst 

 later on the pygmies of the Congo forest were ready to act as 

 guides at the slightest nod, the greatest exertion and sometimes 

 forcible methods were necessary to get the Batwa away from their 

 cooking-pots every morning. Contrary to the pygmies' custom, 

 they never camped with our carriers, but built themselves huts at 

 a little distance off. 



The body measurements which Raven and I took were 

 obtained with the greatest difficulty. The superstitious people 

 almost trembled with fear when we fitted up our burnished 

 measuring instruments. I believe that Barthelemy's presence 

 alone prevented them from flight. The poor fellows almost 

 thought they must die. "You won't die at all," intimated Bar- 

 thelemy to them; "just come along." Then to prove the truth 

 of his words I allowed myself to be measured by Raven. Seeing 

 that I survived the ordeal, they appeared to grow more composed, 

 yet I was not able completely to allay their mistrust. 



The Batwa sat round resignedly. None of them came will- 

 ingly, but every one had to be led singly by the arm to the 

 " slaughtering " bench, the chest on which the measuring took 

 place. At length came the turn of Gunsu's son. The poor fellow 

 suffered tortures. He hesitated, but at last he stepped forward 

 resolutely, and sat down on the chest with the words: "Well, 

 then, it's all one if needs be that I die to-day ! " But what a 

 marvel ! After the measuring was over, he stepped back safe 

 and sound to his place. . . . So it was obvious that measur- 

 ing was not fatal, but there must be something else. What are 

 the wasungu (whites) writing down there ? And what was one 

 of them continually muttering, and what was his neighbour 

 answering ? Did the spell lie in that ? Because it was quite clear 

 that there must be some spell. Yes, it was certain that their lives 

 were forfeit, and lay sealed in the white men's books and at 



