IN THE FOREST 



drunk with this beverage. It is a great resource for 

 the Kafirs in times of scarcity, as this nutritious drink 

 prevents them dying of hunger. In spite of the 

 numbers of palm-trees, they will be destroyed by the 

 drain made upon them by this tapping, unless the 

 Government takes care. Scarcely ten per cent, of the 

 cut trees escape death, and I have seen vast plains 

 covered with dead palms. 



On my return to Guengere I spent several days there, 

 and then started for a place on the river Nioronga, 

 where I saw such abundant traces of buffaloes, ele- 

 phants, and various kinds of antelopes that I decided 

 to remain a week. Contrary to my custom, I was accom- 

 panied by a soldier of the native police to protect me 

 from the difficulties I have experienced with the 

 Ganda natives, who became insolent towards the 

 close of my stay. The sepoy whom the commandant 

 sent me is a giant, named Candiero, who had already 

 served as a guide to the Prince of Orleans, on the 

 two occasions when he came here to shoot. As he is 

 an important personage, he is accompanied by a 

 servant and his son. He promenades gravely, carrying 

 his rifle in his hand and a gorgeous many-coloured 

 umbrella, each of his steps being emphasised by the 

 jingling of the copper rings with which his legs are 

 adorned. 



I was also able to procure a new tracker to replace 

 the three negroes who deserted their service and 

 regained their respective villages. 



(69) 



