MY RECKONING LOST--ROGALA AND I GO TO AN ISLAND WHERE I CAN SEE THE
HEAVENS--WE REACH IT BY A RAFT AND BUILD A HOUSE--TURTLE'S EGGS IN
PROFUSION
I HAD been so long in the forest and had led such a life that I could
not remember the day of the week and the date of the month. I was not
sure whether I was at the end of July or at the beginning of August,
nor could I tell if I was north or south of the equator.
The only way for me to find out these things was to make astronomical
observations, to find out my latitude and longitude. While in that
great and apparently boundless forest I compared myself to a mariner,
all alone in a boat, without compass, in the middle of the ocean,
having for days a cloudy and gray sky above his head which hid the sun,
the moon, and the stars from his sight, so that he could not know in
what direction to steer his boat. The foliage of the trees above my
head took the place of the gray and cloudy sky.
I said to Rogala, Shinshooko, and Alapai: "It is a long time since I
have seen the sun, the moon, and the stars, for when I look up I see
nothing but leaves which hide the heavens from my sight. I wish to go
to a large open place, to a river where I can see the sun, the moon,
and the stars, for I want to speak to them and consult them."
When my hunters heard me speak in that manner, all three looked at me
with wonder. Their eyes stood wide open with astonishment and seemed to
be twice as big as before.
Rogala replied: "Oguizi, about two days' journey from our camp there is
a river with a long sandy island which always comes out during the dry
season when the water is low. On that island you will be able to see
the sun, the moon, and the stars."
It was agreed that Shinshooko and Alapai should return to their home
and tell the news about us to be sent to Chief Rotembo.
By daylight the following day we were ready to start. We hid the
ladder at some distance from our camp, and bade one another farewell.
Shinshooko and Alapai soon disappeared from our sight.
We took an old hunting-path that led to the river and sandy island.
Rogala and I had each a heavy load to carry. Rogala carried the
"precious box" on his back in an otaitai, some smoked elephant meat,
his gun, ammunition, two axes, a machete, and some food. I carried
"Bulldog," ammunition, and koola nuts. Andekko and Ndova had nothing to
carry. Andekko seemed to know that we were on a journey and that he had
to follow us. Ndova was tied on the "precious box" and stood on the top
of it.
The hunting-path was almost obliterated, as it was so seldom used.
Trees had fallen across it in many places. In some the jungle had grown
over it. In others we had to pass under the branches of some fallen
trees or walk on the roots.
Towards noon we stopped to eat and rest a little while, then we
continued on our way. How silent was the forest! Not even the shrill
cry of a monkey or of a parrot was heard. Once in a while we could hear
the fall of a leaf or the gentle murmur of some little stream winding
its way towards some unknown river.
A little before dark we stopped, and made our camp for the night. We
collected a large quantity of dead branches of trees that had fallen on
the ground for our fires, and lighted many, and after a hearty meal of
boiled elephant meat we fell asleep.
By daylight we were up and continued our journey. We slept again in
the forest, though we were near the river. The following morning we
stood upon its bank, and I saw in the middle of the stream a long sandy
island.
Rogala, pointing out the island to me, said: "Oguizi, this is the
island of which I spoke."
Putting our loads on the ground, we took our axes, and cut down trees
to build a raft.
When the raft was ready, Rogala put upon it the "precious box," Ndova,
and Andekko, and then crossed to the island. Ndova was very much afraid
of the water, and clung to Rogala, who, after landing the box, the
monkey, and the dog, came back for me.
An exclamation of joy arose involuntarily to my lips as I landed. How
lovely was the blue sky, in the midst of which transparent white clouds
were moving slowly! How cheerful was the sunshine! It felt so good to
tread upon the soft white sand, to be in a place where there was not a
tree, not even a blade of grass. In a word, the island was beautifully
bare of vegetation. I was so tired of trees and of the forests. I
rolled in the sand, lay on my back, and looked at the blue sky.
"We will remain on this island for a few days," I said to Rogala, "and
to-morrow we will build a shelter for ourselves. During the day we will
go into the forest to hunt and seek food. In the evening we will
return to the island."
[Illustration: "_When the raft was ready Rogala, Ndova, and Andekko
crossed to the island_."]
We crossed the river again on our raft, leaving Andekko and Ndova in
possession of the island.
We collected building material, cut poles and sticks, gathered large
leaves to be used instead of slates or shingles for roofing, and for
walls wide pieces of bark; also much firewood. After a few trips all
our material was landed on the island.
First I measured the ground, and decided that the house should be about
ten feet long and seven feet wide. We planted sticks about one foot
apart, reaching a height of about five feet above the ground. Then we
fastened the bark along these sticks, and left an opening to be used
as a door, and made a few loopholes so that we could fire from them in
case we were attacked by the natives. I always took great precautions,
though I was not afraid of the people. My guns, rifles, a certain
amount of ammunition were always near my bed. I slept dressed and with
my shoes on. "Always be ready in case of a sudden attack," I said to
Rogala, and he replied: "You are right, Oguizi."
Then we placed a beam upon two big forked sticks to support the roof,
and covered our roof with the large leaves, arranging them on the top
of one another just like shingles. We also built a platform in case we
should need it for smoking meat.
Then I walked all over the island, and discovered buried in the sand a
number of turtle's eggs, to my great joy, for turtle's eggs are very
good to eat. There were so many of them that we should not have starved
had we remained quite a while on the island, for not only did we find
many eggs but we captured a number of turtles. When I returned from my
tour of investigation, Rogala was talking to his idol.
We boiled a number of turtle's eggs, and having salt with us we
enjoyed them immensely. If I had had some oil or wild boar's fat, what
delicious turtle's-egg omelette we could have made! After breakfast we
fished, and were lucky enough to catch some fish, to our great delight.
These we broiled on charcoal for our dinner. The day passed rather
slowly, for I was anxious for the night to come.