I TAKE A SWIM IN A CRYSTAL POOL--DRIVEN OUT BY A HUGE SNAKE--I KILL THE
SNAKE--CAMP-FIRE TALK--HOW TO HUNT--IMPORTANCE OF SILENCE AND NOISELESS
MOVEMENTS
AFTER the departure of the women and children my hunters busied
themselves in making traps to catch animals. I discovered not far
from our camp a beautiful rivulet of clear water, which had a little
waterfall, below which was a deep pool and a very good place for a
swim. On my return to the camp I told Rogala of my discovery. He
replied: "Oguizi, look out for snakes when you bathe, for there are
several kinds of snakes that are very fond of being in the water. Some
of these are very poisonous."
"I will look out sharply for them, Rogala. They can be easily seen, as
the water is so clear," I replied.
Then I took a shot-gun with me, with a few bullets for emergency, in
case of a large animal making its appearance suddenly, and left the
camp for a swim, Rogala recommending me once more to look out for
snakes.
When I came to the stream, I hung my clothes on the branch of a tree,
put my gun near the water so that I could seize it in an instant if
necessary, and two bullets by its side.
I went first under the waterfall. It was very refreshing, for not
a breath of air could be felt. Then I looked in the pool. No snake
was there, but just as I was ready to take a plunge I saw a big one
creeping along the ground. I had hardly time to look at the reptile
before it was in the water. The ugly creature was black, and yellow
under the stomach--his head was triangular, thus showing that he was
venomous--and about ten feet in length. The water did not appear to me
nice any more. I rushed after my gun, then looked at the snake, which
was swimming very fast and had the same motion as an eel. I dressed
myself quickly, then, gun in hand, I watched for him to swim to the
surface of the water. I had not to wait long before he appeared, when I
fired the load of small shot, broke his back, and the reptile sank to
the bottom.
Soon after I saw Rogala through the jungle coming towards me. He had
heard the report of the gun, and came to see if I had killed anything.
I pointed to the bottom of the pool. When he saw the snake, a broad
grin of delight came over his face and he said: "The snake is big
and fat, and we shall have plenty to eat." He cut a long, slender,
cane-like tree, and succeeded with it in dragging the snake ashore.
Then we returned to the camp.
Soon after a large piece of the snake was boiling, and Rogala was to
have snake broth. I gave him a little salt to mix with it, to his great
delight. When very hungry and having nothing else to eat, I often had
to be contented with a meal of snake, but that day I had something else
to eat.
In the evening, as we were seated by a bright fire that illumined our
camp, my men filled their pipes with tobacco, lighted them, and after
a few puffs Rogala broke the silence, and said: "Oguizi, while we are
hunting in the forest we must not talk, but call each other's attention
by a 'click, click,' which means with us poor black men to be on the
lookout, to listen, as we must be very sly, like wild beasts, and walk
as noiselessly as a leopard in search of prey. As we walk along, our
eyes must be everywhere, our ears must listen. Unfortunately men have
only two eyes; it is a pity they have not two other eyes at the back
of their heads. Often men hide themselves behind a tree, and when you
have passed they throw a spear at you. Hungry leopards often watch at
the dusk of the day by the springs where women get their water and then
leap upon them. But above all, let us try to be as noiseless when we go
through the jungle as a fish swimming through the water. No man can
hear a fish swim."
[Illustration: "_Gun in hand, I watched for him to swim to the surface
of the water._"]
"It is so," shouted Shinshooko and Alapai, in approval of what Rogala
had said.
Then we thought it was time to go to sleep. As I looked round, I saw
that Ndova was asleep with his head hanging down, and that Andekko was
stretched at full length by one of the fires that were burning round
our shelters.