HEART OF THE CONGO 357 



likely that this animal will ever become a great aid 

 to mankind, comparable to his Indian cousin. 



My object in coming here was to liire, if possible, 

 guides and porters to take us among the wild herds for 

 the purpose of securing motion-picture scenes. Our 

 prospects of success were shattered when I learned 

 from the Belgian officer that all the available man 

 power was engaged in some sort of governmental work. 

 Without porters it would be difficult to operate and, 

 not being interested in photographing tame elephants, 

 we packed up and left immediately the storm was over. 



When the rain clouds had cleared away, the fiery 

 sun appeared, causing the moisture to arise in wisps 

 of steam from the soaked ground. It was oppressively 

 hot, but the cooHng breeze generated by the moving 

 trucks afforded some rehef as we journeyed from 

 Wanda to Api through a land of plenty. 



When we had passed beyond the district where the 

 Belgians have brought the natives under their absolute 

 control, we found lazy groups lying about in the 

 villages. A man can build himself a comfortable 

 cluster of huts in less than a month and there live, 

 rent free, for the balance of his days. Building sites 

 are gratis to all comers, it only being necessary to 

 clear the jungle away, while all needed materials are 

 ready at hand, without any expense whatsoever. The 

 method of construction is quite simple; sticks are 

 placed in the ground to form a circle, while others are 

 bent to make a conical roof. The whole frame is then 

 lathed with bamboo and covered with grass. After the 

 huts and stockade have been completed, a few fowls 

 and some dogs are added to the scene, whereupon the 

 man lies down to spend the balance of his life resting. 



