AMONG THE PYGMIES 35 



as long as it will last, and then away they go again 

 to, seek other food. Their method of catching wild 

 pigs and forest antelope is very interesting. Two or 

 three of the more agile of the men are sent off into 

 the thicket to search for the animal. These little 

 fellows sometimes climb the trees, and move along 

 the branches from tree to tree, peering down into the 

 dense undergrowth. In the meantime a large net made 

 out of creepers is held in readiness, and men, women, 

 and children alike arm themselves ready for the fray, 

 some with sticks, but most of the men with bows and 

 arrows. After a little time a shrill, bird-like whistle 

 is heard from the forest ; it is the signal from the 

 searchers that game has been found. Away the little 

 army goes, all noiselessly picking their way through 

 the jungle and tangled undergrowth, in the direction 

 of the whistle. As they get near to the spot they 

 quietly surround it, each man or woman keeping within 

 sight of the next ; the net is fixed up on to the bushes, 

 on one part of the circle, and then when all is ready 

 the whole party commences a great shouting, beating 

 the thicket, and very slowly driving all before them 

 into; the net, where stand the men with bows and 

 arrows. Into the net rushes the pig or antelope, which 

 is immediately shot through and through by the expert 

 marksmen, and the hunt is finished. The meat is 

 carried back to the camp, the blood being specially 

 preserved for the chief. 



In the morning I tried to photograph my little friends, 

 but it was quite hopeless. It was too dark in the 

 forest itself, and I could not persuade them to come 

 out into a clearing where I might get light enough. 

 I tried time after time, but always failed. I exposed 



