WILD LIFE ACROSS THE WORLD 



and took a series of animated pictures, though, 

 unfortunately, in the end the films were ruined by 

 the damp. He was by no means an easy subject. He 

 literally flew through the air from tree to tree, hanging 

 on with his little padded feet, which seemed to hold 

 him by some kind of suction. 



The women of the villages were very shy. If they 

 saw us anywhere near the river whilst they were 

 getting water there was a regular stampede. In their 

 fright they dashed through anything, quite regardless 

 of thorns. 



Having had enough of the jungle, at any rate for 

 the time being, we arranged for the natives to take us 

 on in the morning in their canoes. The trip proved 

 to be an exciting one. Until I saw those boatmen 

 working their craft up the rapids I never reaUsed 

 fully how much skill can be needed in their trade. 

 As the torrent pours over the side they yell and scream 

 as though in terror. For the moment you believe they 

 are beaten, then every ounce of strength is brought into 

 play exactly at the right instant, and almost before 

 you know what has happened the task which had 

 seemed impossible is accomplished. They very seldom 

 fail completely. 



Reaching a convenient spit of shingle, and feeling 

 utterly tired out, we decided to camp there. As night 

 fell the inevitable thunder-storm rolled up, though on 

 this occasion it was the very worst I had ever experienced. 



24 



