CHAPTER XIX
WE CROSS THE RIVER AND HIDE OUR AXES—NDOVA'S FRIGHT AT A PYTHON—ANDEKKO FINDS A LEOPARD'S LAIR—WE CAPTURE TWO LEOPARD CUBS—A VISIT FROM SAVAGES—THEY ARE FRIGHTENED BY MY WATERBURY CLOCK
Now that I knew from my astronomical observations where I was, and what was the day of the month and week, I said to Rogala: "Let us go and hunt in the forest, for possibly I may kill some animals or birds I have never seen before. I have done talking to the stars, the moon, and the sun for some time now."
As we were ready to go across the river, I said to Rogala: "We must take our axes with us, for who knows if some wandering natives may not be roaming here and take our raft? If we have our axes, we can make another one quickly." Then we embarked, taking also Andekko and Ndova with us.
After landing, we hid our axes carefully in two different places; one was put in the hollow of a tree, the other under dried leaves. We were walking silently, Rogala leading, for the path was very difficult to follow, being often obliterated by the jungle or fallen branches.
All at once Ndova ran towards me, seeming very much frightened. His eyes were almost starting out of his head, and he sprang upon me and held fast and close to my clothing. He looked in a certain direction, then uttered a cry of anger and defiance towards the place. I whispered to Rogala: "What can be the cause of Ndova's fright and anger? Look at his hair! It is standing up all over his body."
"Probably a snake," replied Rogala.
We went carefully towards the spot whence Ndova had come, and saw a huge python coiled round a tree, watching for prey. We killed the reptile, which was nearly twenty feet long. Rogala cut it into many pieces, packed them together in large leaves, and hung the parcel on the branch of a tree, and said with evident glee: "When we return I will take the parcel with me, for the snake is fat, and will make good soup."