AMONG THE PYGMIES 41 



of the Pygmy language. But though of necessity, 

 limited, the conversation elicited some interesting facts. 



.When asked questions, the little man laughed a timid, 

 simple sort of laugh, and with his hand over his mouth 

 answered in a gentle, sing-song voice. In answer to 

 the question how old he was, he replied, ' Many moons.' 

 He has oYily one wife (according to their usual practice) 

 and two children (three being considered an unusually 

 large family) ; it is little wonder, therefore, that they 

 are not multiplying and overrunning the forest. 



His encampment was about six hours away, so he 

 explained by the sun ; but they only encamp in one 

 place a short while a few days it may be, or up to 

 three months when they pass off to seek other hunting- 

 grounds. They never build in trees, but occasionally 

 climb into them and remain for a few hours aloft 

 when watching for their prey. 



Their religious belief is practically nil, though they, 

 have at least one idea of a charm ; pounding up the 

 bark of a tree, they make a red or black liquid, and, 

 smearing it in certain lines over the face, suppose 

 it will ensure strength for the journey or the hunt. 

 After the death of a member of the tribe, and Jris 

 burial at a considerable distance from his temporary 

 home, a start is made on a long journey to seek some 

 new place for sojourning in. After death they believe 

 that the person is absolutely gone, never to return, or, 

 in other words, worn out. 



The captain added that they engage in no agriculture, 

 never staying long enough to gather in a crop, but, like 

 some wandering people in Europe, are not above re- 

 lieving their neighbours of a fowl or two at night. 

 When asked as to the game he shoots, he began to 





