KING QUAGOMOLO WILL NOT LET US GO--HE SHOWS US HIS PLANTAIN GROVE--
SCHEMES FOR ESCAPE--START ON AN ELEPHANT HUNT--ELEPHANTS CAUGHT BY TRAPS
AND NETS--TWO NATIVES CRUSHED TO DEATH--PART OF AN ELEPHANT CUT OFF FOR
THE IDOLS--A NATIVE DANCE--THE KING NOT SUCH A FOOL AS WE TAKE HIM FOR--
DETAINED BY RAIN--ENTER AN HOSTILE COUNTRY--ENCAMP AND FEAST--TOBACCO
AND PALM-WINE MAKE HIS MAJESTY WAX VALIANT--WE KEEP WATCH--A NIGHT
ATTACK--CAPTURED BY KING SANGA TANGA--HOW CAN TUBBS REJOIN US--TRY TO
EXPLAIN TO THE KING--WE GO TO GET TOM--KING QUAGOMOLO'S SURPRISE--RETURN
WITH TOM AND THE KNAPSACKS--HUGE APES--THE NSHIEGO'S HOUSE--DISTURB
DOMESTIC HAPPINESS--SEPARATED FROM MY COMPANIONS--SEE A FIRE--A CHARMING
FAMILY--I RETREAT--CLIMB A TREE--AN UNPLEASANT VISITOR--I GO TO SLEEP.
Day after day passed by, and still King Quagomolo made some excuse for
not allowing us to proceed on our journey. He could well afford to
support us, for, savage as were he and his people in most respects, they
possessed an unusually large plantation of plantains, on a piece of
level ground a short distance from the lake. He took special pride in
it, and invited us to pay it a visit. We could not calculate how many
trees there were, though there must have been upwards of twenty
thousand. The trees stood about five feet apart, and the bunches of
plantains which each tree produced weighed from thirty to fifty pounds,
those from some of the larger trees much more. There were several
varieties even in the same grove. The king informed us that some of
these trees bear fruit six or seven months after the sprouts are
planted, others, again, take two or three months longer before they bear
fruit; and what we may consider the finer species do not begin to bear
until about eighteen months after the sprouts are put into the ground,
but these last bear by far the larger bunches. This plantain grove was
one of the pleasantest sights we had witnessed since we had landed on
the shores of Africa. No cereal on the same space of ground, however
highly cultivated, could afford the same amount of food.
We complimented the king, through Aboh, on the beauty and size of his
plantation, and the fruit it contained.
"Very good for eat, but no good for trade," was the answer. His majesty
had, it was evident, an eye to commerce, and we discovered that the
article which he could obtain with the least difficulty, and sell at the
highest price, were elephants' tusks. His hunters, we found, frequently
went in chase of the monsters for a twofold purpose,--to obtain ivory,
and to keep them at a distance from the plantain grove, among which two
or three elephants in a few hours might have committed immense damage.
He had arranged a grand elephant hunt, not having taken part in one
since his illness. He had made up his mind that we should accompany
him, believing that our rifles would be the means of securing more ivory
than could his own people with their darts and spears. We hoped that if
we complied with his wishes, he would be more ready to allow us to take
our departure. We accordingly agreed to accompany him. Tom wished to
go also, but, although he was able to walk, Charley advised him not to
run the risk of again spraining his ankle, feeling sure that great
activity would be required from the experience we had already had in
getting out of the way of elephants.
"But I've been thinking, sir, that we might have a chance of making our
escape while we are out hunting. We could easily slip away from the
natives, and push on fast in the direction we want to go."
"There are two objections to that," answered Charley. "In the first
place, the natives can travel through the forest faster than we can, and
would soon overtake us; then, as we could not go out hunting with our
packs, we should have to leave them behind us; besides which, I would
rather leave the king who has treated us so hospitably, in an open
fashion, with his goodwill, instead of stealing off like deserters."
"I dare say you are right, sir," answered Tom, "but we shall look very
foolish if the king, after all, insists on our stopping with him."
"Should such be the case, we can but take up our packs and march off,
and should any attempt be made to stop us, fight the black fellows."
"That's the sort of plain sailing I like," said Tom.
We were surprised next morning at the extent of the preparations made
for the hunt. We found nearly four hundred men, armed with spears and
javelins, assembled in the great square of the village, a large number
having come from the neighbouring hamlets. The king soon came out of
his palace--for so I may call it, although it was but a rude hut,
thickly thatched with palm-leaves. He was dressed far more elaborately
than we had hitherto seen him, with a circle of feathers on his head,
and a kilt of long grass round his waist secured by a belt, to which
hung a number of fetishes or charms. The skin of a leopard hung over
his shoulder, to which was suspended a gun, while he carried also a long
spear, ornamented with a tuft of hair at the end. The rest of the
huntsmen were attired as usual, in nothing but the waist cloth, which is
worn by the most savage tribes.
The king divided his force into six different parties and desired us to
accompany the one commanded by himself. He then gave the order to
march. We all set out. Before long we reached the forest, through
which we proceeded for several hours, occasionally having to cut our way
where the thick vines which hung from all the trees impeded our
progress. Towards evening we arrived at the spot where the king had
determined to halt. His people immediately set about forming the camp,
by collecting wood and putting up shelters, which consisted of
lean-to's. Two poles with forked ends were stuck in the ground, on the
top of which rested an horizontal pole; against this a number of others
were placed, when large palm or other leaves were secured above them, so
that the hardest rain was turned off, the roof, of course, being placed
on the side against which the wind blew. A large one was built for the
king, who invited us to share it with him. It was of the same
construction as that of the rest. In front a large fire was kindled.
We had no reason to complain of our entertainment, for the king had
brought an ample supply of venison as well as plantains, and other
vegetables and food. We also slept securely, as we knew that the
hunters would keep a look-out during the night for any savage animals
which might come prowling round the camp.
At early dawn we were on foot, and the king marshalling his forces, sent
them off in different directions, so that they might form a large circle
and drive in any elephants to a common centre, where we were given to
understand some pits had been dug especially for the purpose of
entrapping them or any other wild beasts. In that part of the forest
there also grew a vast number of strong climbing plants or vines, some
extending to the very tops of the tallest trees, twisting and turning
among the branches. With these also the natives formed traps for
elephants, by weaving them in and out among the trunks in such a way
that should an elephant once get in he would be unable to extricate
himself before the hunters were upon him.
"Now," said his majesty to us, through Aboh, who was kept by his side to
act as interpreter, "we will start and show you what real sport is." I
don't mean to say that Aboh used those very words, but he said something
to that effect. We looked to our rifles and commenced our march,
keeping close behind the sable monarch, whose spirits seemed to rise as
he found himself once more in the midst of the wilds in which he had
achieved renown as a hunter. No one uttered a word for fear of giving
warning to any elephants who might be feeding near at hand, and who
would break away should they hear our voices. Before long, however, we
came upon traces of several animals; young saplings being trampled
underfoot, bows torn down, and hanging vines dragged away. The king
made a sign to us to proceed even more cautiously than before. We
expected every moment to be in sight of a herd of the huge animals.
Presently we heard a loud trumpeting, not fifty yards away from us.
"Be on the look-out, Dick," cried Charley, "the beasts will be coming
this way perhaps. Get up a tree, but don't attempt to run."
He remembered how very nearly he had been caught, indeed, Harry and I
had not forgotten the fright the beasts had given us. The blacks,
however, by their movements did not seem to expect the elephants to come
that way, but advanced at a more rapid pace than before in the direction
whence the sounds proceeded.
"Why, that trumpeting seems to be coming out of the earth," cried Harry.
Just then the chief gave a flourish with his spear and rushed on.
Presently we saw him dart his weapon with all his force, as it appeared
to us, into the ground. On nearing the spot, we saw that he had hurled
it into a pit at a huge elephant whose trunk was seen waving above the
surface of the ground. The blacks now rushed on, each man holding a
javelin in his hand, which he plunged into the back or side of the
animal, now screaming with pain. Dart after dart was buried in its
flesh. It was in a pit cleverly formed in the side of a hill, towards
which it had been apparently making its way, the upper side much higher
than it could reach even with its trunk, while the lower was of
sufficient depth to prevent it scrambling out again--it was thus
completely in the hunters' power. The pit had been covered over with
light branches and grass, so that the animal, as it rushed along, had
not seen it.
As the savages came up they continued hurling their javelins or spears
into the poor beast, which was soon covered over almost to resemble a
huge porcupine. As the creature's death was certain, we did not think
it wise to spend powder and ball on it, indeed, we were likely to offend
our fellow-hunters, as they had evidently gained a victory.
As we stood near the pit, keeping at a sufficient distance to avoid
tumbling in, we watched the poor creature in its hopeless efforts to
escape. While it continued on its feet, the savages in succession came
rushing up and throwing their darts, each man of them seeming anxious to
have a hand in its slaughter.
At length, much to our satisfaction, it sunk down on its knees, and soon
afterwards rolled over on its side, dead. The blacks immediately jumped
down, and began pulling out the darts, to be ready to attack a fresh
elephant. We soon had an opportunity of seeing another way in which
these monsters are caught. Leaving for the present the carcase of the
animal we had taken, we advanced further into the forest; presently one
of the scouts who had been sent ahead, came hurrying back, saying that
there were three elephants not far off. The blacks now began to steal
forward, keeping as much as possible under cover, and sometimes
advancing on their hands and knees. We kept, by the king's desire, a
short distance behind. Presently we heard a tremendous shout, and we
saw two elephants before us. They looked round evidently much
frightened, and then dashed forward towards one of the barriers, which
had been prepared in the neighbourhood. The natives advanced rapidly,
until the elephants were suddenly entrapped in a network of vines. The
terrified creatures endeavoured to tear them away with their trunks and
feet, but the greater their efforts, the more fatally they surrounded
themselves with the tough vines. From every side the natives now
appeared, completely surrounding the struggling creatures, which they
plied unceasingly with their spears. Some climbed up the neighbouring
trees, an example which we followed, for it seemed to us that at any
moment the beasts might break away and trample us to death before we
could possibly escape. The poor creatures found the darts showered down
on them from above, and from every side. The more daring hunters would
occasionally rush in close behind them, and dart their spears deep into
their flesh. While they were thus engaged, a third elephant, followed
by another party of hunters, who had already wounded him, came tearing
along. He, too, was caught in the meshes of the network. Several darts
were hurled into him, but suddenly turning round, he broke away from
them, and trumpeting fiercely, rushed towards a score of natives, who
were still at a little distance. They endeavoured to fly on every side,
but so unexpected was the attack of the beast, that all had not time to
do so. Two unfortunate men were caught; in an instant they were beneath
the elephant's feet, who stamped upon them with all his mighty force.
In another moment they were crushed, their skulls and all the bones in
their bodies being broken, then seizing one in his trunk, the monster
hurled it into the air, and rushed forward in an endeavour to make his
escape. The whole party, on seeing this, excited by rage, pursued the
animal, shouting and shrieking, grinding their teeth, and darting their
spears and javelins with all their might. I saw that the elephant had
not a chance of escape, indeed, in a short time, mighty as was his
strength, he sank down exhausted, with the blood flowing from a hundred
wounds, and after a few struggles was dead. On this the natives rushed
forward, and began cutting away at the creature with their knives,
uttering curses on it for having killed their friends. The noise they
had made had scared away all the other elephants--however, they appeared
pretty well satisfied with the four they had killed. They now assembled
round the last elephant which had fallen, while one of their fetish-men,
or priests, approached and cut off a portion which was carefully stowed
away in a basket; this was intended, we understood, for an offering to
their idols. A dance was now commenced, and was as savage as could well
be imagined. They shrieked, they leaped, they whirled their lances
above their heads, and twisted and turned their bodies about in the most
fantastic manner, making at the same time the most hideous faces, until,
exhausted with their exertions, they all squatted down on the ground.
Once more at a sign they rose, when they repeated the same dance round
the fetish basket. We were in hopes that the king would return home the
next day, but the hunters brought word that there were still more
elephants a short distance off, which had come to feed on the leaves of
certain trees of which they are very fond. We tried to get off
attending his majesty, and Charley suggested that if he made no
objection we should return to the village, where, having rejoined Tom,
and taken our packs, we might endeavour to make our way northward. Our
friend, however, suspected the trick we intended to play him.
"King say `No good,'" observed Aboh, while his majesty put on a knowing
look; and we had to yield to circumstances.
Next day it rained, and we were compelled to keep beneath the shelter of
our lean-to's, with nothing to do except to listen to the unintelligible
jokes of the king, many of them we suspected at our expense, although
Aboh was too polite to say so. It cleared up in the evening, but it was
then too late to start. In the morning we proceeded, after a plentiful
breakfast, to the north-east. We observed that the hunters advanced in
a more cautious way than before, and we soon discovered that we were
entering the territory of another sable monarch, who was not likely,
should he discover it, to be well pleased with our proceeding. Having
advanced all the day, we at length encamped, much in the same manner as
before. Fires were lighted, and huge pieces of elephant flesh placed to
cook before them. A party of carriers had followed us, bringing more
delicate provisions, and among them some jugs of palm-wine, with which,
after the feast, the king and his more special favourites regaled
themselves.
We each of us had brought some tobacco, which we thought this a
favourable occasion to produce, and great was the delight of the king
and his courtiers when they observed it. Pipes were brought forth,
which we filled as they were handed to us. All those thus favoured
collected round one fire. There are few things an African hunter
delights in more than sitting round a blazing fire at night with a pipe
in his mouth, and narrating for the hundredth time, perhaps, his various
exploits. We regretted not having a sufficient knowledge of the
language to make out what was said, but, from the shouts of laughter
uttered by our black friends, the yarns were highly amusing to
themselves, if not edifying to us. The shades of evening were
approaching, a few rays of the setting sun penetrating amid the trees,
cast a bright light on the boughs above us. A portion of the hunters
were engaged in collecting wood, and bringing in bundles in order to
keep up the fires during the night. The king having imbibed a good
quantity of palm-wine, waxed valiant, and seizing his spear, advanced in
front of the camp, flourishing his weapon, and addressing in stentorian
tones some fetish or spirit of the air in the forest. We of course
could not make out what he said, nor would Aboh enlighten us. Perhaps
he was merely praying for a successful hunt the following day. After
the king had thus given vent to his feelings, whatever they were, he
returned and seated himself near us at the fire, when he ordered another
jug of palm-wine to be brought One of the courtiers suggested that his
majesty was taking a little too much, on which the king, who was now
certainly beyond the point at which discretion is retained, told him to
mind his own business, and looking in his face, swallowed down another
cup. He then insisted that we should join him, wishing to show us the
highest possible mark of honour; we, to please him, took the bowls in
our hands, but the moment his eyes were averted, we handed them to some
of his courtiers, who had no objection to drink instead of us.
Night had now come on, but still the revels of the king and his
courtiers continued. We had retired to a lean-to, hoping to find some
rest, for we were all really tired after our day's excursion.
"It seems strange that the king, who ought to remember that we are in
the country of one of his enemies, should not take more care to guard
against a surprise," observed Charley. "I think we ought to keep watch,
for very likely these African fellows will forget to do so, and even if
they are not attacked by their enemies, a leopard may steal into the
camp and carry one or more of them off."
Harry and I fully agreed with this; and we drew lots, as we always did
on such occasions, to settle the order in which we should keep watch.
The first lot fell to me. I was on the point of arousing Harry, who was
to keep the second watch, when I was startled by the most fearful
shrieks bursting from every side around the camp. The next instant the
whole space was filled with warriors, who leaped down into the midst of
the sleeping hunters, clubbing some, piercing others with their lances,
and throwing cords round the arms of others. There was no necessity to
rouse up my companions, for they had started to their feet.
"Where shall we go? We are not going to fight for these drunken
fellows," cried Harry.
"Into the bush then behind us," answered Charley.
Harry and I followed him as he sprung round our leafy bower; but we had
not gone many yards when we found ourselves in the presence of a dozen
or more savages. The light of the fire falling upon us, revealed to
them that we were white men, and instead of knocking us over with their
clubs, they leaped forward and grasped our arms. We literally had not a
moment to defend ourselves--indeed, from the number of our enemies, we
could scarcely have hoped to have fought our way through them. If we
had done so without food, and with only a limited supply of ammunition,
we could not have made our way far through the country. What became of
the king and his courtiers, whether they escaped or were knocked on the
head, we could not tell. We were at once unceremoniously hurried off by
our captors, who seemed to consider us rich prizes. As we were led off
we witnessed a horrible scene. One of our unfortunate companions had
been struck down, but still breathed; when, a number of the savages
rushing towards him, some seized his arms and legs, and others, drawing
their long knives, plunged them in his body, taking care apparently to
avoid wounding any vital part.
Several women who appeared on the scene were encouraging the men in
their atrocious proceedings. The cries of the poor wretch reached our
ears for some time afterwards, till, becoming fainter and fainter, they
altogether ceased, and we were thankful to believe that his sufferings
were over. They did not, however, deprive us of our rifles, nor were we
in any way ill-treated, except that we were compelled to hurry on at a
much faster rate than we liked. After travelling for several miles we
saw lights ahead, and found that we were approaching the camp of the
people who had captured us. Our guards uttered loud shouts, and a
number of people came forth from a collection of leafy huts, which, it
was evident from their slight structure, were mere temporary erections.
The principal person of the crowd was a savage-looking fellow, about as
ugly as King Quagomolo, and dressed much in the same fashion. His
majesty, although so ugly, did not appear to have any evil intentions
regarding us, but was evidently satisfied at having got us into his
power. He invited us to join him at his camp-fire, and at once ordered
some of his slaves to bring us food, of which we thought it prudent to
partake, although we were not in reality very hungry. We had not been
seated long before parties arrived, carrying the tusks of the elephants
we had killed; and others followed, dragging along about thirty
prisoners, among whom we recognised our friend Aboh. As soon as he saw
us he shouted out to the king, who at once ordered him to be released,
when he came up to us.
"Me say talkee for you," he observed, by which we understood that he had
informed the king that he was our interpreter. He then had a long
palaver with his majesty, who seemed well satisfied with what he heard.
The intentions of the king were, we found out from what Aboh said, to
make us useful to fight his battles, to assist him in governing the
country, and to perform any service which he considered white men
capable of doing better than his own subjects. He, by some means or
other, had been informed of our being in the country, and had made the
attack on Quagomolo's camp, expressly for the purpose of getting
possession of us.
"What has become of your king and the rest of your people?" we asked of
Aboh.
"Him no killee, me tinke run 'way," he answered.
"Things are not so bad as they might have been, so we ought to be
thankful," observed Charley; "but still I am afraid that we are as
little likely as before to be allowed to continue our journey."
Our chief anxiety was about Tom Tubbs. We feared that King Quagomolo
was not likely to set him at liberty, nor was it probable that he would
deliver up our knapsacks, even should we send for them, for though he
had hitherto behaved honestly towards us, we could scarcely expect that
he would withstand the temptation of appropriating their contents under
the uncertainty of our fate. Our first object then was to get Tom to
rejoin us, and by some means or other to regain our property. Our
knapsacks contained powder and shot, beads and trinkets, with which to
pay our way, an extra pair of boots, and numerous other articles of the
greatest value to us. We were already more than three days' journey
from King Quagomolo's village, and so much on our way to the north.
Before lying down to sleep, we consulted Aboh on the subject. "Berry
bad, berry bad," he answered, shaking his head, which he always did when
he found a knotty point difficult to unravel. "Me say de King Sanga
Tanga--me go get odder white man and him goods. Suppose let me go, what
say King Quagomolo? when him come, cut off him head me tinkee."
"We don't want you to run that risk, Aboh," said Charley, "but still we
wish you to find some other way."
"Me tinkee, me tinkee, now go sleep," answered Aboh, by which we
understood that he would consider the matter and let us know the result
of his cogitations in the morning. We accordingly, as he advised, wrapt
ourselves in our cloaks which we had on when we were captured, and,
taking our positions as near the fire as we could, tried to sleep. I
observed that our captors kept a far more watchful look-out than had our
former friends--indeed, from the little I had seen of them, they
appeared to me to be a far more sagacious and keen-witted set than those
we had left. They had good reason also to be on the watch, for they
might at any moment be attacked by the followers of King Quagomolo, the
larger number of whom had escaped, and who would very likely rally and
attempt to recover their friends and us, and revenge themselves for the
sudden and unprovoked assault made on their camp. Charley expressed a
hope that such might be the case, and that we should then regain out
liberty.
"I should be sorry for the bloodshed which would ensue, for our captors
would probably fight desperately to detain us, and many on both sides
would be killed," said Harry, who was always more anxious to obtain an
object by peaceable means than by force.
"There is no use talking about the matter," said Charley, "let us go to
sleep and be prepared for whatever may occur. I'll sleep with one eye
open, and be ready to rouse you up should there be a chance of our
escaping, only take care that the black fellows do not steal our rifles,
which perhaps they may attempt to do while we sleep, although they
evidently look upon them with awe, or they would have taken them from us
before."
Following Charley's advice, we placed our guns by our sides, between us,
with our hands upon them, so that we should be awakened should any one
try to draw them away. I at length fell asleep, but I was continually
fancying that something was going to occur; the camp, however, remained
perfectly quiet, the only sounds heard within it being the snoring of
the sleepers, and occasionally the shouts of the sentries as they called
to each other.
Next morning at daybreak the whole camp was roused up by King Sanga
Tanga, and the cooks set to work to dress the plantains which they had
brought with them, and the elephant-meat which they had captured. A
liberal portion was brought to us in a basket, but as the meat was
already tainted, we preferred breakfasting on the plantains sprinkled
with red pepper. We observed a dozen men or more with drawn swords
standing near us as a guard to prevent our escape, though we were in no
way molested. We looked about for Aboh, but he was nowhere to be seen,
and without his aid we could not hope to make the king understand our
wishes. I began to be afraid that he must have been removed from us,
and carried away with the men of his village into slavery, or perhaps
put to death.
"I don't think there's a chance of their killing him or any of the
prisoners, when they can, by sending them down to the coast, obtain a
good price for them," observed Charley. "If the king wants to make use
of us, he will not wish to deprive us of our interpreter."
The king now shouted out to his followers, and they began to make
preparations for the march, still Aboh did not appear. The farther off
we got from King Quagomolo's village, the less chance we should have, we
thought, of recovering our property and getting Tom to rejoin us.
Charley, therefore, eagerly addressed the king, who passed near where we
were sitting, and tried to make him understand by signs what we wanted.
He scratched his head, but evidently did not understand either our signs
or words. At last he spoke to one of his attendants, who hurried off
and soon returned with Aboh, dragging him along by a rope fastened round
his wrists. Poor Aboh looked very downcast. "What's the matter?" asked
Charley.
"Me try run 'way, and king bind him hands with odder prisoners."
"I'm sorry to hear that," said Charley, "it would have been better not
to have attempted it. Now, we want you to ask the king to let us go
back and get our knapsacks, and our companion and we will faithfully
return to him as soon as we have done so."
"Me tinkee king no trust him," answered Aboh.
"What! not trust an officer in the navy, and two other English
gentlemen," exclaimed Charley indignantly. "Tell him then, that one of
us will remain with him, while the other two, with a sufficient guard,
go back, and say that we will return as soon as possible."
"But 'spose King Quagomolo no let go," suggested Aboh.
"Then let King Sanga Tanga say, that if we are detained, he will march a
large army to liberate us."
Aboh fully understood our wishes. He forthwith held a long palaver with
the king. The result was more satisfactory even than we had expected.
He consented to send back Charley and me with twenty men as a guard,
keeping Harry as a hostage, allowing Aboh to accompany us, under the
promise, however, of returning.
Thanking the king for agreeing to our proposal we begged that we might
set out immediately.
"Good-bye," said Harry, "I wish that we could have all gone together,
but I know you will come back for me, and I do not see how it otherwise
could have been arranged."
We forthwith commenced our march. The party was under the command of
Prince Ombay, the king's son, a good-natured, merry fellow, with whom
Aboh seemed on very good terms. Charley and I were by this time well
immured to fatigue, and our companions lightly clad were able to perform
long distances each day. We met with no very interesting adventures,
although I shot a deer, and Charley was fortunate enough to kill a
buffalo which afforded a supply of meat to our companions, and raised us
greatly in their estimation. At length we reached the neighbourhood of
King Quagomolo's village, when Prince Ombay proposed encamping, and
allowing Charley and me with Aboh to go forward and complete our
negotiations with King Quagomolo.
We had done our best to impress upon Aboh that he must not attempt any
act of treachery, and that everything must be carried on in a peaceable
manner: to this he agreed, and we hoped that we could trust him. When
we entered the village the people gazed at us in astonishment. Aboh did
not think fit to enlighten them as to the cause of our return. We went
straight to the residence of the king.
"There he is," exclaimed Charley, as we approached the house, and we
found him sleeping in the shade of the rude veranda in front of it. As
we were anxious to ascertain how it fared with Tom, leaving the king to
finish his nap, we hurried off to our own house. Tom saw us and
hastened out to greet us.
"I had given you up for lost, gentlemen, it does my heart good to see
you. What has become of Mr Harry?" he asked.
We told him in a few words the object of our visit. "I think the
chances are the king will listen to you," he answered; "he came back
very much out of spirits at being taken by surprise, and at the loss of
so many of his people. I don't think he has any stomach for a war with
the other black king."
This was satisfactory. Accompanied by Tom we went back to Quagomolo's
house. His majesty was rubbing his eyes and stretching himself after
his nap. He looked greatly astonished at seeing us stand before him.
"Now tell him what we want," said Charley to Aboh; "just hint that if he
doesn't agree to King Sanga Tanga's demands he may expect to have his
plantain groves cut down, and his village burned, and himself and his
people carried off and sold to the slave traders."
"Berry good reason for not saying No," observed Aboh.
He forthwith addressed the king in due form. His majesty scratched his
head and sides and all parts of his body with much vehemence--a sign of
great agitation within, if not irritation without, and replied in a long
speech.
Aboh briefly translated it.
"Him no want fight, him say go when you like, but him ask before you
away."
"Tell the king we are very much obliged to him for so readily yielding
to our request, and we will certainly give him a present, and if we get
safe home we will send him another, as our means at present are
limited."
Whether Aboh understood this or not, I am not sure, but whatever he said
made the king's countenance brighten up. As we wished to rejoin Prince
Ombay as soon as possible, and put him out of suspense, we begged Tom to
get ready to march at once. Returning to our house, we took out four
necklaces of beads, one as a present from each of us, and also some
knives and trinkets which we presented to his majesty, telling Aboh to
thank him again for the kind way in which he had treated us, though he
had as a mark of his favour detained us longer than we desired.
We then, shouldering our packs, and taking our rifles in our hands, bade
the king good-bye, and saluting the people as we passed through the
streets of the village, hastened to the spot where we had left Prince
Ombay and his party. No one had discovered them, and as he thought it
prudent not to remain longer than necessary in the neighbourhood, we
immediately commenced our march to the north-east. Our success had been
far greater than we expected. Our bold bearing and the authoritative
tone we had used, had, no doubt, considerable influence in inducing the
black king to yield to our demands.
Prince Ombay was in high spirits at seeing us, and gave a hearty welcome
to Tom. He proposed immediately to set out for his father's town.
"We shall now conquer all our enemies; we shall succeed in all we
undertake; with four good guns what enemy can stand against us? The
wild beasts in the forest must succumb, we shall have game in plenty,
and food. What feasts we shall enjoy, what bowls of palm-wine."
It was very evident from this that although the prince wished to treat
us kindly, he fully intended to keep us well employed in his father's
service. By this time we had picked up a good many words of the
language of the people, and Aboh had also greatly improved in English,
so that we were much better able to understand what was said. Prince
Ombay was constantly describing to us the curious creatures of the
country, and among others he mentioned some huge apes which he said were
like wild men, and built houses for themselves in the trees, and were
almost as big as men.
When I expressed doubt on the subject, Ombay said he would show us the
houses, and the apes also. He called the animal "Nshiego." They did
not live in tribes, but generally in pairs, and that the male built a
house for himself, and the female for herself, close on a neighbouring
tree.
Next day as we were travelling along, through a thick part of the
forest, we came upon some shrubs bearing a pretty sort of wild berry.
Prince Ombay at once said we should find some Nshiegoes not far off. By
going a short distance from the travelling path, he pointed out what
looked like a huge umbrella fixed on a large bough, about twenty feet
from the ground, and close to it another of similar character, both the
trees being so far removed from each other that the boughs did not
touch.
"There are the houses," said the Prince. "But the Nshiegoes have either
gone out hunting, or hearing us coming have hidden themselves, you see
what wise fellows they are. No leopard or other savage beast can get up
to them, nor could a serpent climb the trunk of that tree, as it is too
large to be encircled by its body, while no boughs can fall from any
neighbouring tree on their heads."
Charley, who was very anxious to examine the roof, managed to throw some
stout vines over the bough, above which it was placed, by this means we
climbed up. No human beings could have made the roof more neatly. It
was constructed of thick leafy branches, secured together by vines, so
formed that it was capable of completely throwing off the rain. Ombay
told us that the male is the actual builder, while the female gathers
the boughs and vines, and brings them to him; and that he builds her
nest as well as his own.
As we were soon after this to pitch our camp, Ombay promised to show us
some of these apes at home. We gladly accepted his offer. As soon as
we had pitched our camp and had had supper, Charley and I with Aboh
accompanied Ombay and two of his best hunters, set off, and after going
a short distance in the woods, they told us if we would remain quiet, we
should certainly see a couple of Nshiegoes under their nests in two
trees close at hand. We kept perfectly quiet, scarcely daring to
breathe for nearly an hour, it seemed much longer, when out of the
forest came a creature which in the gloom looked almost as big as a man;
presently it began to cry out "hew, hew," when another creature appeared
of the same description. The first of these climbed up into one of the
trees, where he sat with an arm clasped round the stem, while his feet
rested on the lower branch, and his head reached quite up into the dome
of the roof, so that it served as a night cap at the same time. The
other Nshiego followed his example, and got into her abode, when, after
exchanging a few cries, which seemed as if they were wishing good-night
to each other, they both went to sleep. It seemed barbarous to
interrupt so much domestic felicity, but the natives would have thought
very little of us if we had not killed the Nshiegoes.
Accordingly Charley taking one, and I the other, we both fired, and both
the animals fell at the same time, and the blacks taking them up,
carried them back to the camp, where, by the light of the fire, we had
an opportunity of examining them. We found them just about four feet
high, with black skins. The back and shoulders had black hair two or
three inches long, while the rest of the body was covered with short,
thin, bluish hair, the top of the head being completely bald, the nose
was flat, and ears remarkably large; the chin was somewhat round, some
thin short hairs growing on it. As soon as we had done examining the
creatures, our black escort cut them up, although, I must have been very
hard pressed before I would have eaten any of the flesh.
"You think those big apes," observed Ombay, as we were marching along.
"If we keep a look-out, we may see some much larger. I must warn you if
you do see them to keep out of their way, for they can kill a man in a
moment."
As our escort were in no hurry, having once reached their own country,
we made but short journeys each day. Having hurried over our supper, we
set out as we had done the previous evening. Charley advised that we
should try and kill as much game as possible, to please our black
companions, as well as to supply ourselves with food. I had kept on the
extreme right of the party, Charley on the left, and Tom in the centre,
so that we could communicate with each other. We had gone a mile or so
from the camp, when I caught sight of a beautiful little deer bounding
away up a glade. I followed without calling to my companions, expecting
almost immediately to come up with it. It went trotting on, and
feeding, and then bounding away in a playful manner, just keeping beyond
the range of my gun. Now I lost sight of it, but soon again saw it
before me. Thus I was led on further than I should have wished. How
many turns I had made, I could not tell but I fancied that I had gone in
a straight line. After all, just as I was about to fire, the deer took
flight, either at me, or something else, and bounded away.
Much disappointed, I turned to rejoin my companions. Before long,
however, I made the pleasing discovery that I had lost myself. I
listened, expecting to hear their shouts, but no sound reached my ears.
I had gone on, some way thinking that it was in the direction where I
was most likely to find my friends, when I heard voices in the distance
coming through the forest I at once endeavoured to make my way towards
the spot from whence they appeared to proceed. As I advanced they
sounded more strange. I kept on cautiously. They might be savages of a
different tribe, for Ombay had told me of many strange people inhabiting
that region. The shades of evening were already coming on. I caught
the glimmer of a fire in an open glade before me, and what was my
surprise on pushing aside the boughs, to see two enormous apes seated on
the ground, and a couple of young ones near them.
One seated in a sort of arbour, formed by the thick foliage above the
roots of the tree, appeared to be a patriarch, while just outside sat
his wife caressing the youngest one, while in the front of her lay the
other, warming himself before the fire. I could see the two adults were
enormous creatures, as large--they appeared to me--as any ordinary human
being, with huge chests and long arms. Had there been but one alone I
should have felt very nervous lest he should attack me, but what would
be my fate were both the creatures, aided by their infant progeny, to
set upon me. I feared almost to breathe lest I should be discovered.
Should I tread on a rotten branch, or brush by a bough too roughly, the
noise might attract them, and they might come in chase of me. Before
moving I examined my gun to see that it was ready for instant use. My
hope was that I might kill one of the terrible creatures and so frighten
the others and obtain time to reload. Even the young ones were no
contemptible opponents, should they fly at my legs or seize me by the
arms while I was engaged with their parents. This, however, they were
not likely to do unless endowed with more sagacity than the ape tribe
are generally supposed to possess. Still if their wisdom was in
proportion to their size, they might attack me in a way which would give
me very little chance of escaping in spite of my gun. I, however, felt
much more confidence with that in my hand than I should have done
without it. Never did thief creep away more carefully out of a house
than did I from the bower of those terrific apes. I had not believed
that such enormous creatures existed. Night was rapidly coming on, for
what I could tell there might be others in the neighbourhood. To spend
a night by myself in those wilds was anything but pleasant to
contemplate. As soon as I could venture to move fast, without the risk
of being heard by the huge apes, I retreated rapidly. I was not aware
at the time that I had fallen in with a family of the largest existing
specimens of the ape tribe since known as the terrible gorilla, although
at that time I was ignorant of its name. I was only too soon to become
in a terrible way better acquainted with the creature.
As I have described I was endeavouring to get as far off as possible
from the fearful monsters, when the sun having set, it became almost
immediately dark. The thick foliage overhead hid the stars from my
sight so that I could not tell in what direction I was going, whether to
the north or south, and although I occasionally got a glimpse of one
amid the boughs, it could not thus seen serve as a guide to me. I
pictured to myself the danger of thus wandering through the forest by
myself, for although I might grope my way amid the trees, yet I might be
pursued by a leopard or lion, or I might tread on some venomous snake or
get into the presence unexpectedly of a herd of elephants. For some
time I was afraid of shouting or firing my rifle, lest I might attract
the attention of those monster apes. At length, thinking I had got
sufficiently far off not to bring them down upon me, and that I might
after all be in the neighbourhood of my friends, I began to exercise my
lungs. After I had shouted several times, I fancied that I heard an
answer, but still could not be certain that the cries which reached my
ears were not uttered by the monster apes or some other creatures. Then
I fired off my gun. Forthwith there came a loud chattering and
shrieking from out of the forest, uttered by troops of monkeys and
flights of parrots. I was afraid if I fired often I might exhaust my
stock of powder, which I should require for my defence if attacked
either by huge apes or four-footed monsters.
Finding no answer to any of my signals, I judged that I had got a long
way off from my friends; I therefore thought it prudent at once to climb
a tree, hoping not to find it occupied by any arboreous ape or other
creature. I therefore threw a vine over one of the lower boughs, by
which means I was able to climb onto the branch. I then drew up the
vine, so that I might be tolerably secure. There was still sufficient
light from the sky to enable me to find my way to a part of the tree
where several boughs branched off; here I could lie down with my gun by
my side, without any fear of falling to the ground. Before going to
sleep, however, I thought it would be as well to give another shout,
hoping that, perhaps, from my lofty position, my voice would reach my
friends. I listened for an answer. Silence reigned through the forest,
broken now and then by a roar so terrific, so superhuman, that I
involuntarily trembled. It was not like that of a wild beast, nor of
that proceeding from any human throat. It seemed to come from a spot at
no great distance off. What if the creature should discover me and be
able to climb the tree in which I had taken shelter! What hope would
there be for me then? I regretted having shouted; it would have been
more prudent had I kept silence. I could only pray that the creature
might not find me out, if creature it was. I did not believe that evil
spirits in bodily form walked the earth, or I might have supposed that
the voice I heard was that of one, so awe-inspiring was it. I now
peered down from among the boughs towards the ground near the trunk of
the tree, dreading every instant to see the creature approach.
At length I saw a dark form moving along, but it went on all fours.
Could it be the creature that had uttered the sound? Presently it
approached a small tree and then reared itself, and I saw what looked
like a man of gigantic form, with a huge head, and prodigiously long
arms, holding on to the tree. He seemed to look about him as if to
examine the surrounding trees; should he discover me, he evidently could
with ease climb the tree on which I sat. I was afraid of moving, and
yet I felt convinced that he might, with his sharp eyes, discover me
looking through the boughs at him. I fortunately had the muzzle of my
gun turned towards him, and could at any moment bring the butt to my
shoulder. I could not expect to get a better mark than he now presented
to me, but then, so human looked the creature, seen through the gloom of
night, that I asked myself whether I was justified in shooting him.
While these thoughts were passing through my mind, he let go the stem of
the tree, and once more sank down, moving forward as before on his hands
and feet. At first I thought he was coming up my tree. To my relief he
turned aside, apparently satisfied that the being which had uttered the,
to him, strange sounds, was not concealed among its branches. I
breathed more freely. I was thankful that I had not fired, for I might
only have wounded the creature, and he would then, inspired by rage,
have climbed the tree to attack me. I waited, watching for an hour or
more; at length, finding sleep overcoming me, I replaced my gun by my
side, and stretched myself almost at my length, for which there was
ample room. My eyes closed, possibly I might have been surprised by
apes, snakes, or any other tree-climbing creatures without having time
to rouse myself sufficiently to offer the slightest resistance, so sound
was my sleep; and yet it was not untroubled, for all night long that
fearful cry occasionally rang in my ears, and I heard other shrieks and
noises. Whether they were really uttered by the denizen of the forest,
or created by my imagination, is more than I can possibly say.