PYGMIES OF THE ITURI FOREST 335 



and the early night birds mingled their odd cries with 

 the chatter of some near-by monkeys. 



Beyond the boundaries of the Uttle clearing, and 

 surrounding it like an ominous wall, stood the silent 

 jungle, within whose mysterious depths strange people 

 and strange animals hved and died, never knowing in 

 all their Uves anything but tliis world of trees. Over- 

 head the clear sky was filled with stars, and just there, 

 suspended over the tallest tree, hung the glorious 

 Southern Cross. 



Now up the hill came my guide, and traihng behind 

 him were fifteen Uttle men and women of the forest. 

 They caught my fancy at once, for instead of the usual 

 scowl of the Negro hereabouts, they had smihng faces 

 and laughed in a way that was a treat to hear, while 

 the tiny cliildren, who looked at me with big wondering 

 eyes, captivated me completely. They all stood around 

 in a small circle and watched closely while I told the 

 interpreter to explain our plans to them. After he 

 had done so, they filed out with a nod to me and faded 

 into the darkness toward the winking fires. 



Soon from below was heard the fu*st rumbhngs of the 

 drums, to grow louder and still louder, until over the 

 vast expanses of the forest it boomed and rolled, 

 swelled to a mighty roar, and then fell to a deep 

 whisper, teUing in the pygmy code that white men 

 had come into their country. Then all was silent and 

 I heard in the far distance an answering sound, and 

 then another, for such is the Ifi telegraph, the calUng 

 of the drums. 



These drums are made from one sohd piece of wood, 

 hollowed out. Along the top, down the middle, is a 

 long sUt, the various sounds bein^ produced by the 



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