CHAPTER XXVIII
OUR PROVISIONS FAIL—ATTACKED AGAIN BY BASHIKOUAYS—RELEASE OF AKENDA-MBANI FROM HIS FETTERS—HE PROVES A GOOD TRAPPER—"GOUAMBA"—MY WAKING VISIONS—ANOTHER HUNTING EXPEDITION—WE KILL TWO MONKEYS, THEN STARVE AGAIN
Berries and nuts had become very scarce and we had to go a long way to gather them, for those that were near our camp had been eaten. Game had also become very scarce. One day we all set out for the depths of the forest together. Before leaving the camp we made signs to Akenda-Mbani that we were going after food, by opening our mouths and drawing our stomachs in, to show that they were empty. He evidently understood us, for he smiled.
"If we fail to find food," said Rogala, "it will be on account of witchcraft; yes," he shouted, "it will be on account of witchcraft. I have always suspected Okambi of being a sorcerer, and it will be his witchcraft that will cause our starving."
"Sh-sh-sh, Rogala," said I, "if you speak so loud you will scare the game." The very thought of witchcraft had made Rogala forget himself.
Though we walked all day, we found no nuts or berries of any consequence. The season of the koola nuts was nearly over, and the wild boars had been under the trees we knew. We saved some of such nuts and berries as we found, however, for Akenda-Mbani.
Suddenly we were attacked by the dreaded bashikouay ants and had to flee for camp. "Let us hurry as fast as we can, Rogala," said I, "for Akenda-Mbani is in nchogo, and if the bashikouays pass that way he is sure to be devoured by them, and we may only see his skeleton on our arrival."