They shifted their loads to relieve aching shoulders, and kept on through the unending avenues in another long spell of silence.
"Reminds me of the reeds again," said Compton; "only this is worse."
"By Jenkins! just imagine the blaze and the scorch if this forest caught afire like your reeds."
"Couldn't—too damp. We've been tramping for two hours, and I have not seen a bird, or an animal, or a reptile; nothing but snails and ants. Don't see where the game comes in."
"We're not after game; we're after cannibals."
"By Jove! yes, I suppose we are—that is, if they are cannibals. I thought the species had died out."
"It will be a long time before cannibalism dies out," said Mr. Hume, who was bringing up the rear, "particularly in those parts where the people find a difficulty in getting flesh-food; but, at the same time, scarcity of flesh-food does not always turn a tribe to cannibalism. What does happen is this—that people who live in a poor district become small In the Kalihari you find the bushmen, in the forest you find the pigmies."
"Then the forest is poor in animals?"
"It has its types, but I should say they must be very few. You see, animals want sun, And where would they find it here? No! what animals haunt the forest will not be found on the ground."
"I see," said Compton, with a grin; "they fly."