Through the Semliki Valley 231 



folk exhibited tremendous suppleness in their hips, and in danc- 

 ing bent themselves so far backwards that I feared they would 

 break their spines. The dance concluded with a somewhat 

 affected pose that reminded one of the first awkward attempts of 

 an amateur ballet troupe. Whilst the circle danced and sang, a 

 man and woman leapt into the centre and played at catching 

 one another. The way in which the one constantly eluded the 

 efforts made by the other in the comparatively small space was 

 a marvel of skill. Whether there was any deeper meaning under- 

 lying the dance, I was unable to find out. I was amazed at the 

 abandon that the small people threw into their dancing, neither 

 were they disturbed in the slightest degree at my presence." 



On the 1 6th of March we saw the houses of Irumu in the 

 distance. Soon after the head of the caravan arrived at the 

 Shari River, which flows past below the outpost. Familiar faces 

 welcomed us farther back, and a few moments later we were 

 shaking hands with Mildbraed and Czeczatka, whom we were glad 

 to find in the best of health and spirits. Chef de paste Tillemans 

 and M. Bernstein, the only two officials connected with the 

 administration at Irumu at that time, also came up to meet us. 



Irumu is an unusually large outpost, held officially by ten 

 Europeans, all of whom, however, excepting the two mentioned 

 above, were away on Government service. The place owes its 

 importance to its favourable position, as it is the junction 

 of the great military roads from Stanleyville to Fort Portal 

 and Rutschuru to Beni and Kilo. Thus nearly all Belgian 

 officials whose jurisdiction leads them to the northern districts 

 of the Congo State are compelled to pass it. In consequence 

 the traffic through Irumu is brisker than at any other outpost. 

 This cheerful-looking place, which consists of a row of thatched 

 brick houses, spacious messrooms and two great store-houses, 

 is situated on a hilly plain three hours distant from the eastern 

 margin of the great native forest. 



As elephants abound in the neighbourhood, the quantity of 

 ivory brought in by the natives is very considerable. Eight 

 to nine hundred kilograms leave for Boma every month, and are 



