In the Volcanic Region 
131 
forward and shake their lance, which they hold pressed against 
the ground to test its elasticity. The nearer we approached to 
the buffalo, however, the lower sank their courage; and as soon 
as the herd^—invisible even at a few paces distant, on account of 
the dense undergrowth—began to move, and the cane cracked all 
around us, the brave fellows vanished instantly out of sight and 
hearing. Some sought cover in the bushes, others bounded up 
aloft with the greatest agility, seized hold of a couple of bamboo 
stalks, and swung in the air with legs extended, graciously 
permitting the attacking buffaloes an easy passage below them. 
The skill and celerity with which the Batwa can wind their 
way through thicket and creepers are amazing, and it is an exceed¬ 
ingly fatiguing task to attempt to follow them along elephant 
tracks and to the haunts of the buffalo. Their apparel—if it can 
be called such-—a simple apron of beaten fibrous bark, offers no 
hold to the thorns, as the clothing of the European so constantly 
does. They are invincible opponents in the forest, their real 
home. Whilst marching out a little distance from the forest 
zone one day searching for fresh camping quarters, the Batwa 
suddenly declared thut they could no longer follow us. No 
sooner said than done; they disappeared back into the forest, 
and we saw them no more till we again pitched our camp in the 
forest. 
The chief leaders of the two tribes with whom we came into 
contact were Sebulese and Gunsu. On Ravens first visit the 
former had shown himself friendly, but Gunsu would not allow 
himself to be talked over even by Barthelemy. Gunsu had the 
reputation of being an exceedingly adroit caravan robber, and 
his people in consequence spoke of him in terms of great respect. 
A successful raid which he had carried out shortly before seemed 
to burden his conscience, and the mistrustful old fellow no doubt 
connected our visit with it. So we caused a message to be 
shouted through the forest that no harm should come to him, that 
we desired only to shoot buffaloes, and that their meat should be 
the spoil of him and his people. With the design of fathoming 
our intentions, he sent along his son into our camp, and his report 
