The Eastern Congo 



was " Amissi " (Hamisi). He was an Imp of Darkness not 

 more than four feet two inches in height, with a small beard, 

 and his round intelligent head surmounted by a wel] rolled 

 turban. He was a local chief, and like Moera had several 

 clans of Wambute in his " district," and moreover appeared 

 to be none too friendly with the aforementioned gentleman. 

 Coming up to our tent he salaamed and in a few words stated 

 that he wished to speak to me alone. His 'cute manner 

 gained my confidence at once, so nothing loath I sent everyone 

 away. 



As I had decided to resume our northward journey within 

 a few daj^s, the news he communicated to me was no less 

 astonishing than delightful to hear. I am sorry to admit 

 that my Swahili is imperfect — it is of the Congo variety known 

 as Kingwana — but I gathered this much, that an okapi lay 

 dead in the forest and that if I would come with him immedi- 

 ately he would lead me to it so that I could take its skin. 

 There were conditions of course — considerations — which the 

 wily Amissi tried to gauge correctly from my elated demeanour 

 or otherwise ; I tried not to be elated but it was a hard job 

 after a month's waiting joined to our other troubles. 



I had offered a two hundred francs reward and a load of 

 salt for the first kwapi skin brought in, so this was the bargain 

 I struck with Amissi. That finished, we set off into the forest 

 at a speed that barely kept pace with my impatience. After 

 a good two hours' walk along an elephant path, and after 

 meeting a sour-faced dwarf who apparently had been waiting 

 a long time for us, we turned aside into the tangle of creepers 

 and cardamoms,* through which we struggled. This new 



* These aromatic plants form the greater part of the forest undergrowth ; 

 they have a briUiant red seed-pod growing from the root, which is much sought 

 after by many animals for food. 



i6o 



