TERRORS OF AN AFRICAN THICKET 



77 



The apes had long since been out of sight, and I had not 

 only given them up, but also all wish to pa}" a visit to the 

 natives living on the mountain ; in fact, I did not see how 

 either to advance or retreat, but just stood still, wondering 

 how I was to o-et out of this horrible thicket of thorns. I 

 had certainly no fancy for returning by the way I had come. 

 Presently I heard the murmuring of a brook flowing towards the 

 plain on the left ; at last I had found a way out ! I was soon 

 wading through the cool water ; before long the thorn bushes 

 on the bank became thinner, and all of a sudden I stepped 

 out into the open country again, on to a path leading towards 

 the mountains. There was not a sign of a village, but some of 

 my people, who had fortunately joined me, thought it could not 

 be far off, and as a matter of fact we very soon reached it, and 

 were quickly surrounded by a crowd of natives of all ages. 

 Although it was beginning to rain we were soon trading briskly ; 

 but the only food to be had was maize, and with it I had to 

 allay the pangs of hunger. Not until I had devoured a couple 

 of green ears could I attend to anything else. 



The natives, who were called Wapare, seemed poor half- 

 starved creatures. Their only garments were loin-cloths made 

 of goats' skins, and round their necks they wore a few strings 

 of white or blue beads. They had also thick rings of brass 

 and iron wire. Bracelets, anklets, and earrings seemed the 

 fashion. Some of the women also had necklaces made of 

 twisted iron wire, such as those worn by the Masai ; and all, 

 without exception, had their teeth filed to a point, looking like 



fancy you can easily break through them, you soon find yourself, like a fly in a 

 spider's web, unable to move backwards or forwards. Every effort to get through 

 only increases the danger, and a second person is needed to take the thorns out one 

 by one. In East Africa every plant seems to bear thorns, and even the bark of 

 large trees is provided with them. It does not do to travel in these parts in the 

 light clothes suitable for the tropics, as they are sure to be torn to pieces, ^^'hilst the 

 whole body becomes covered with woimds. 



