220 
In the Heart of Africa 
tory to the west of Ruwenzori is reserved, and the capture and 
the killing of elephants forbidden. Thus the discovery of this 
nicely-arranged pit was a disagreeable incident for our two fine 
fellows. Anticipating certain punishment, they thought their 
best course would be to take French leave, and perhaps they 
were right. 
After another two days we reached the market-place of 
Mboga. This very lively station is situated in disputed territory, 
that is in a strip of country divided by the 30 meridian, the 
incorporation of which was not at that time definitely settled. 
The neutrality and commercial freedom which ruled in con¬ 
sequence had not escaped the attention of the Indians and 
Arabians, who conducted a large number of stores there. Every¬ 
thing the heart of man coveted could be obtained at these 
“stores,” and we ourselves did not let the opportunity pass by 
without replenishing our stocks of barter goods, preserved fruits, 
etc. Our carriers were jubilant, and fancied themselves in spirit 
in the busy life of their native cities Muanza and Daressalam. 
These innocent-looking shops also supplied goods to the two 
Boundary Commissions which had their quarters near at hand; 
but in reality they were the secret centres of a lively smuggling 
trade in ivory and rubber carried on in the most public manner. 
These two products were calmly borne along the street with the 
greatest audacity. Inquiries as to their place of origin were 
answered with a jerk of the chin in the direction of the vast 
primeval forest. The cunning dealer has his own private path, 
known only to himself, and hidden to the uninitated. These 
paths are found by the blazing of branches, the strewing of 
leaves, and a hundred other signs. Many thousands of pounds 
of rubber and thousands of valuable elephant tusks are lost 
annually to the Congo State, despite the strictest supervision 
possible in the circumstances. Every means at the disposal of 
the Government are pressed into service to get rid of the sharks 
who rob the State of thousands of pounds. 
Our arrival was announced by letter to the two commissions. 
Shortly afterwards Lieutenant Vangermais paid us a visit and 
