HUNTING AND HUNTED IN BELGIAN CONGO 



of danger. Fire-flies and glow-worms glitter like spark- 

 ling diamonds amidst the grass and trees. Above all 

 the clear starry heavens, with the great moon shining 

 across the water as the Southern Cross slowly lifts itself 

 slantwise into the sky. 



The precipitous shores on the Congo side of the lake 

 now loom up behind us, the west bank has dwindled to 

 a flat stretch of bush country. We are travelling along 

 the western side of the Lado Enclave, which extends 

 back to the mountains that form the divide between the 

 Belgian Congo and the Soudanese territory. Running 

 from the vicinity of Mount Emin Pasha, the Lado En- 

 clave extends round the country of Njoro northwards 

 by Aba to Amadi in the north and round to Kero, being 

 bounded on the east by the Nile. This country is now 

 Soudanese territory under the Governor of Mangalla — 

 Colonel Stigand. 



Up till recently large herds of elephant lived in this 

 country and came down to the water for their dip every 

 day, but now they are gradually being driven back, and 

 in a few short years we shall have to go far into the 

 country seeking fresh hunting grounds. Elephants can 

 still be seen coming down to the Nile, but not the huge old 

 one hundred and seventy and two hundred pounders as 

 of yore. 



We sighted the landing stage at Koba about two p.m., 

 and after another two hours we came alongside. The 

 Kisingiri had already arrived, and the boys were busily 

 engaged getting out the loads and mules. Mr. Britle- 

 bank had very kindly offered us the use of his kitchens 

 and camping ground, which stood on an elevated position 

 about five hundred yards from the river. From this 

 point a superb view could be obtained of a fifteen mile 

 stretch of the Nile wending its way to the north-west. 

 The mountains in the west with their rugged peaks, 

 whose outlines stood clearly defined against the clear 



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