AN ESCAPE IN THE DARK 



and in some instances there hung on a pole the skin of 

 some animal like a scare-crow, the whole presenting a 

 spectacle that was weird in the extreme. The conical 

 roofs of the native huts peeped above the great leaves of 

 tropical plants and trees among which the village was 

 built. As we entered the semi-darkness of some forest 

 region, small, but the exact replica of the larger forests 

 further west, the shrill cries of birds overhead gave the 

 alarm. Dark shadows hung across the path as some 

 creature flitted or crashed away ahead of us and dis- 

 appeared into the tangle of ferns and plants that grew 

 on either side. The path itself was scarcely passable, 

 for it was obstructed by thick undergrowth, tendrils, 

 roots and fallen boughs all covered with dead leaves, 

 and for long stretches it was just like walking on a spring 

 mattress. Gaily coloured monkeys lined the branches 

 overhead, gazing inquiringly at us as we passed. Vast 

 open spaces where every bush and plant was crushed flat 

 by the mighty elephant, revealed troops of monkeys in 

 the surrounding tree-tops performing the most extra- 

 ordinary antics. 



Just before sundown the eight warriors who had 

 accompanied me drew into the grass, raising their spears 

 and bows aloft in a farewell salute, for we were now on 

 the eastern boundary of their country. 



Shortly afterwards I camped on the bank of a small 

 stream close to some huts, from whose inhabitants I 

 bought food for myself and the boys. I took care to 

 have a boy on guard all night. 



Next day, when walking down a steep hill in a rough 

 piece of bush and grass country, I met about a dozen 

 warriors, who drew aside and acknowledged my greeting. 

 One carried a large elephant spear, with its weight of clay 

 around the shaft, such as I have already described. I 

 asked them where they were going ? " To kill elephants," 

 they replied. Thinking that there was a chance of some 



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