The Eastern Congo 



is known in these parts and from which its present scientific 

 name is derived).* 



As Moera was the only one who could speak their lan- 

 guage, this I left to him ; he seemed to promise a lot but 

 gave little away and the palaver took some time. It was, 

 however, eventually concluded satisfactorily for the Pygmies 

 by the usual distribution of salt. 



I gathered that the plan was for the Wambute to search 

 the forest in all directions, and that when an okapi was located 

 the fact was to be signalled by a special trumpet call to bring 

 along the rest of the clan with their dogs and so start the hunt, 

 which might last several days or even weeks. 



As I myself witnessed one of these hunts when out col- 

 lecting in the depth of the forest a short description of it 

 is worth giving. 



The first intimation I had of the coming chase was an 

 exceedingly melodious piping away in the distance, which 

 on becoming more audible as it approached resolved itself 

 into a series of flute-like notes of considerable volume, but 

 very pleasant to the ear. These were augmented by varying 

 tap-tapping noises ; but nothing was to be seen and no other 

 sounds were heard ! Knowing from the native who was 

 with me that this was a band of Wambute out hunting, we 

 stood behitid trees to watch, letting the chase go by. How- 

 ever, as the foliage was very dense, little could be seen, but 

 presently as we watched out came a little yellow dog scurrying 



* The Okapi is known by the name of Ndumbe in the northern extension 

 of the Ituri forest. George Grenfell, the great missionary geographer discovered 

 the okapi in the region south of the middle Aruwimi River in 1902, and recorded 

 its local name as Ndumba. The range of this primitive giraffe seems to extend 

 from the Mangoma country (5° S.Lat.) in the south, to the Aruwimi basin in 

 the north, and possibly westward, north of the Congo, to the vicinity of the 

 lower Mubangi River. — H. H.J. 



150 



