A LION HUNT 65 



Gongola, whicL. place we had determined to make our base 

 at the conclusion of the work in Nigeria. This was the first 

 trip of the boats with their full complement of stores and 

 complete crews. Each boat was manned by six Nupe polers, 

 who are the watermen of the River Benue. They were a 

 useful set of men, smart at their work and of splendid 

 physique. The captain of the crews, called Audelai, was a 

 big fellow of Herculean build, the champion poler of the 

 Benue. 



Four large native canoes, carrying the rest of the stores 

 formed the tail of the flotilla, which, as it glided down the 

 river headed by the graceful white boats with white sails 

 spread, suggested to my mind the image of a monster bird, 

 tamed to the pursuit of some romantic quest in a far fairy- 

 land. Before the little fleet set sail I made an inspection 

 and found that the canoes were carrying more ballast than 

 I had bargained for. Hidden under mats in the bottoms 

 were the wives, whom the soldiers had hurriedly married 

 the day before and who, laden with evidence of their 

 domestic virtues in the shape of calabashes and cooking- 

 pans, were looking forward to a happy honeymoon upon the 

 river. I was sorry to disturb their composure, but it was 

 against orders, so out they had to come, all save the consort 

 of Audelai, the captain, who was a privileged person. This 

 little diversion caused a good deal of amusement among the 

 crowd who had collected to witness the departure, and the 

 laughter bubbled over at sight of the Hfting of one dusky bride 

 whose noble proportions suggested her worthiness to sail 

 in a boat of her own. After this short delay all was quite 

 ready for a start. The naked polers leaned upon their poles 



