In the morning I found Ndova dead. He looked as if he were asleep under his blanket. I shouted to Rogala: "Ndova is dead." Then we stood mournfully by his side, and Rogala said with a sad voice: "Ndova will follow us no more in the forest."
We cut a big log, split it in two, and dug a big hole inside. This was to be the coffin of Ndova, and we laid his body in it.
After this we dug a grave at the foot of a tree near Rogala's house and collected stones. When everything was ready, Rogala and I carried the coffin to the grave, followed by Shinshooko, Alapai, and Akenda-Mbani.
With my knife I carved upon the bark the following inscription:
HERE LIES NDOVA
OUR FRIEND
Then we put the coffin into the grave, covered it with earth, and surrounded it by stones. My hunters and I hardly spoke to each other that day.
CHAPTER XXVII
I GO HUNTING IN THE FOREST WITH ANDEKKO—DISAPPEARANCE OF THE DOG—SOUNDS OF A FIERCE CONFLICT—I FIND ANDEKKO FIGHTING WITH A MANDRILL—HE KILLS HIS ENEMY, BUT DIES OF HIS WOUNDS—BURIED IN THE FOREST