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.