220 In the Heart of Africa 



tory to the west of Ruwenzori is reserved, and the capture and 

 the killing of elephants forbidden. Thus the discovery of this 

 nicely-arranged pit was a disagreeable incident for our two fine 

 fellows. Anticipating certain punishment, they thought their 

 best course would be to take French leave, and perhaps they 

 were right. 



After another two days we reached the market-place of 

 Mboga. This very lively station is situated in disputed territory, 

 that is in a strip of country divided by the 30 meridian, the 

 incorporation of which was not at that time definitely settled. 

 The neutrality and commercial freedom which ruled in con- 

 sequence had not escaped the attention of the Indians and 

 Arabians, who conducted a large number of stores there. Every- 

 thing the heart of man coveted could be obtained at these 

 " stores," and we ourselves did not let the opportunity pass by 

 without replenishing our stocks of barter goods, preserved fruits, 

 etc. Our carriers were jubilant, and fancied themselves in spirit 

 in the busy life of their native cities Muanza and Daressalam. 

 These innocent-looking shops also supplied goods to the two 

 Boundary Commissions which had their quarters near at hand ; 

 but in reality they were the secret centres of a lively smuggling 

 trade in ivory and rubber carried on in the most public manner. 

 These two products were calmly borne along the street with the 

 greatest audacity. Inquiries as to their place of origin were 

 answered with a jerk of the chin in the direction of the vast 

 primeval forest. The cunning dealer has his own private path, 

 known only to himself, and hidden to the uninitated. These 

 paths are found by the blazing of branches, the strewing of 

 leaves, and a hundred other signs. Many thousands of pounds 

 of rubber and thousands of valuable elephant tusks are lost 

 annually to the Congo State, despite the strictest supervision 

 possible in the circumstances. Every means at the disposal of 

 the Government are pressed into service to get rid of the sharks 

 who rob the State of thousands of pounds. 



Our arrival was announced by letter to the two commissions. 

 Shortly afterwards Lieutenant Vangermais paid us a visit and 



