288 IN AFRICA 



Our first impression was one of gasping wonder- 

 ment. We seemed to stand upon a great stage of 

 an immensity which words can not describe. It was 

 a stage proportioned for giants. The rock pros- 

 scenium arched above us seventy feet and the stage 

 was nearly two hundred feet wide. As an audience 

 chamber one could look out over twenty-five thou- 

 sand square miles of Central Africa. 



The dimensions and the imposing magnitude of 

 the place almost took one's breath away. Two regi- 

 ments of soldiers could have marched upon that 

 stage. There was even room for a squadron of cav- 

 alry to manoeuver. Upon the well-beaten floor were 

 the tracks of cattle, showing that from time im- 

 memorial the cave people had driven in their herds 

 for shelter or for safety in times of tribal warfare ; 

 and in places the solid rock was worn smooth and 

 deep by the bare feet of centuries of naked people. 



And yet, in spite of the titanic proportions of the 

 cave, there was something quite homelike about it. 

 It almost suggested a prosperous farm-yard. There 

 were chickens walking about, with little chickens 

 trotting alongside. There were wickerwork gran- 

 eries standing here and there, while around the in- 

 ner edge of the great entrance hall were little mud 

 and stick woven houses five feet high, which gave 

 the effect of a small village street. 



From the front of the stage back to the row or 

 little houses was a distance of about one hundred 

 feet. By stooping down one could enter one of the 

 little openings, to be surprised to find himself in an- 



