In Afric’s Forest and Jungle 
a rock used as an altar. On another occasion, 
the people prostrated themselves in worship be¬ 
fore an immense python snake that appeared on 
the great central rock of the city. They believed 
that the tutelary deity of the city had assumed 
that form and taken up his abode under the rock, 
that he might look after their welfare. As show¬ 
ing how their dark imaginations multiply terrors 
for them, I mention that they believe a certain 
night bird which has a dismal croak to be an evil 
spirit who has chosen that form more effectively 
to approach them. Whenever they hear one of 
these birds near their houses at night, believing 
its presence betokens some approaching calamity, 
they are tortured by anxiety and fear until some 
new fear distracts their attention. 
It is impossible for rest to find a home in 
minds so filled with spiritual darkness and name¬ 
less terrors. In attempting to break off the 
shackles of superstition from their benighted 
souls, 1 would often be amazed to find how com¬ 
pletely idolatry had mastered their every idea. 
For instance, a young man expecting to go to 
war boasted that he wore over his vest a coat of 
mail that no bullet could penetrate. It was made 
of shells which were easily broken and some 
“ medicine man” had swindled him into paying 
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