mlets. 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