78 CHIEFS & CITIES OF CENTRAL AFRICA 



plan, and that needs self-control, is not to add to 

 present irritation by thoughts of future pain. 



The land was flat for miles around, but at the 

 mysterious point where the Tuburi lake becomes Tikem 

 a hill stands. It is not high, and it is very bare, 

 but it dominates the whole district, and is visible a 

 great way off. The eye rests upon the change of level 

 with relief, for it brings new courage and hope. 



Every day the harsh cry of the trumpet -bird or 

 crowned crane is heard. Once Mr Talbot had shot 

 one. It was as darkness fell, and all through the 

 night its mate flew round and round the tree where 

 it had died, uttering cries that tore our hearts. 



On the shores of Lake Tikem the polers brought 

 us three eggs they had taken from a crowned 

 crane's nest. We put them on the table, ready to 

 blow when we had a few moments of leisure, and 

 went out. When we came back to camp Situ met 

 us. He pointed to the sky, and there above us two 

 birds circled, uttering a wailing cry. They had seen 

 the eggs below, and had hovered above the camp for 

 many hours. We cursed ourselves for our thought- 

 less cruelty, and took the eggs and carried them back 

 and laid them amongst the sand and grasses, hoping 

 that it was not too late and that the parent birds 

 might again be made happy. Our movements had 

 been watched, and when we were nearly out of sight 

 a great greedy crow flopped down, cracked the eggs, 

 and gobbled them up. 



Two very black races live on the shores of the lakes 

 — the Tuburi and Wadama. They are both fine, well- 

 made peoples, and both uncivilised. The Tuburi bear 

 the same name as the country where they dwell, 



