Diary Page

February 1908

Saturday, 1st February, 1908.

Got out hunting by daylight but after three hours returned having seen nothing. I had a bad day on the sick list; laid down till 4 o'clock then did a bit of packing. Think our bread or forest water upset one. Got loads ready for a move.

6 miles.

Sunday, 2nd February, 1908.

Felt a bit better so got up while cool and did some packing. Moved off about 3 o'clock. I rode a donkey for first time! Only had a short trek to Bareki's camp and then turned in feeling bad again.

Monday, 3rd February, 1908.

Up at 5.30, got all over the two river crossings; just. reached Irumu and then turned very sick again, so turned in to rest. Porters not to hand so intend resting a day or so. Post came.

English mail - papers only, Dec.13th & 20th.

Tuesday, 4th February, 1908.

Very glad to get English papers - just six weeks on road. Still eating nothing and stopping in bed. Milk and soda with cold tea and a mouthful of papyr is not very sustaining. Had two or three bad days - up to 103 ½, began to fear it was a touch of liver, but think it's only a bit of malaria. Mongongu down also.

Wrote letter:

Roke,

Bertie Smith,

Rev. J. Blackledge,

Toro,

Reuters.

Wednesday, 5th February, 1908.

Commandant Henck arrived from Kilo and being a Swede speaks English well. He is charming and so kind; sends me Mills' champagne, eggs; in fact all I want; fever abating - 102 ½

Thursday, 6th February, 1908.

Still kept to bed but feeling a bit easier, fever gradually giving way. The Commandante is kind. Thunderstorm every day; nuisance if weather is broken - 102.

Dr. Davis - Swiss. Gun bearer shot okapi in 94 -

Mad. Sillye - wife of Chef de Zone, Ituri. In Ituri Forest 1905.

Friday, 7th February, 1908.

Had an egg and bread and butter - did enjoy it, also some beef tea; champagne and soda has done me worlds of good, but a few days off in this climate does thin and pull one down. Only measure 31 ¼ round girth, lost 2 ½ inches! Sat up an hour to-day but feel very weak. Temperature only went up to a bare 100 for an hour or so, am hoping it all gone now.

Saturday, 8th February, 1908.

Enjoyed a fair night and especially my eggs for breakfast, with some cocoa and radishes brought by my kind friend; feeling much better; sat up a little.

Sunday, 9th February, 1908.

Had no more fever. Got up at ten, had some eggs, champagne, pineapple, soup and rice with cocoa - quite a royal gorge. Took some short walks in the evening.

Monday, 10th February, 1908,

Post with letters and papers to 27th December came in to-day. Felt so much better that I sent off 16 porters to camp 3 hours out. Lunched and dined with Commandant Henck.

Letters from:Mary, Phyllis, Alys, Lady Glover,

Lt. Gardnir, Field (medium) Bertie Smith.

Papers to 27th

Wrote: Mary, Lady Orford, Phyllis, Mr. Hussard, Norfolk Hotel,

Hausing & Co., Mr. McMillan, Bertie Smith, Dr. Rokie, Toro Collector.

Tuesday, 11th February, 1908.

Up in good time; sent off 10 porters to Toro including two tusks about 70 lbs. each 7 ft. long, 16 inch girth centre, 17" at end. Had farewell lunch with Com. Henok and then we said goodbye to all our kind hosts at Irumu about . The porters come in during morning having left our camp in good time. The Commandant most kindly lent me his horse to ride beyond the first river. We did 3 hours and then found our boys camped at home.

10 miles - 3 hours,

Wednesday, 12th February, 1908.

Went out at daybreak and quickly got on spoor or three elephant which had been eating potatoes. After about half an hour in dense Jungle we got within hearing and then it just became a case of patience. Step by step for two solid hours we followed them, and only once I got a view of one's head, but could not see if any ivory. It's hard work and of course very

dangerous, as one is never twenty yards off, and any moment they may get one's wind. At last after three hours my chance came; they fed down into a little donga, and as I got up and looked down one could see them below, even then for fifteen minutes it was impossible to get a view of ivory. One moved off and a second big chap went and I thought we were done, when the last suddenly got suspicious, and making a hurried plunge up the bank just gave me a second. Luckily a snap shot went fairly home and the beast fell dead. Were very pleased to find nice tusks - 7'6" long, very thin though but should scale about 80 lbs. each. Unluckily he fell within a few feet of a black ants' nest; results were unfortunate for us, and soon drove us all away. Not feeling very well, temperature 100, so was pleased to have got an elephant.

1 elephant:

end 16" 15 ¼ midway

end 16" 16" 7 ft. 6"

about 8 miles

Thursday, 13th February, 1908.

All the kraal busy getting in meat so could only get together a snatch hunter. Had bad luck again with buffalo; saw two and did a good stalk - lost them, when suddenly they jumped out of a little spruit not 40 yards off and stood.

My gun boy who was some 12 yards behind me instead of jumping up with my rifle stood open mouthed; by time I rushed to him and got rifle they were off, so only got three long running shots with no seeming effect. Coming home I had two or three long shots at a bush-buck. Still not feeling up to the mark, slight touch of fever. Osborne rode over to Kifuka, saw Bernstein who wanted to buy a donkey - heard great accounts of elephant doings. In the evening Roke's man arrived in with food supplies.

8 miles.

Friday, 14th February, 1908.

Sent donkey down to high road for Bernstein to see and he bought it and old saddle. We were up at four and off in the dark to a kraal about four miles back. We soon got on track of an elephant and came up very quickly with it standing in thick stuff. I was sure I only saw about 30 or 40 lbs. tusk, but Osborne said they were good and I foolishly fired, dropping it of course but not dead. To my utter disgust I found I was quite correct and worse still only one tusk. The poor beast kept trying to get up, but only able to drag itself up by its trunk and turn round and round.

Wishing to put it out of its agony I fired three Gibbs into its head, but it's hard to kill a wounded beast, so we unloaded rifle, put them in cases and lighted a fire not more than four or five yards from the poor beast. About half an hour later to our utter astonishment the animal got its trunk round a small tree and actually hoisted itself up - imagine us all sitting quietly down and to suddenly find this huge monster on his feet right above us. Of course everyone dived in different directions. I was nearest and not liking to fly and leave my best rifle I seized it and promptly got hung up among branches. Thank goodness the beast was evidently dazed and trunk full of blood, and so after a wild glare round and coming forward a length it turned and went off. I really never felt so pleased and hoped it might recover, so I followed on carefully for half a mile and it still went on. At last I came up fairly close, and while having a last look to see if it was going to recover the animal caught our wind and with a terrific shriek, trunk up and mouth open, it charged down. I jumped behind a small sapling and Osborne

crouched under a bush. It luckily lost us and so did not charge home or things might have been nasty, though of course I would no doubt have had to shoot it. Finding the beast so full of go, however, made me sure it was not vitally wounded and we withdrew at once only too glad not to have slain a useless beast. Returning to camp we found a caller in shape of Lamboure of Cambia Mambutti - the big man of Kifuka. More curious still was the fact that he was the very man who brought me Mongongu three years ago. He seemed most pleased to see me - or rather the drink - and went off with a bottle of whiskey in his pocket. We packed up and moved at 2 o'clock reaching the Ituri at four, and crossing over found a charming new rest house. At night we were called up and went out to look for an elephant feeding in the natives' gardens across the river. It had gone into thick jungle so impossible to follow. Returned to finish our night's rest. Had slight temperature. Heard later this elephant had died.

15 miles.

1 elephant - a single tusker of about 40 lbs.

Saturday, February 15th, 1908.

Went down river at 6 o'clock then landed and had a tramp round till nine, saw nothing but a pig. Lovely elephant ground - quite ideal - but no fresh spoor. Returned to village and just done breakfast when in came a boy to say they had seen good elephant about two miles up. So off we went; not long in very thick stuff and bad tracking, covered with dry leaves before we got in touch. Gradually I got up to two when down in a donga. Though within ten yards I failed to catch a glimpse of ivory. One beast moved off and then I edged up a bit; fair in sight. The elephant at once backed away up the bank - a grand sight, keeping his head and eyes fixed on me. I feared I was going to lose a shot so risked a forehead one and a second into his temple as he rushed away and the bushes closed over a grand tusker. We followed on a copious blood spoor, and after an hour's tracking again came up with the animal standing under a tree - evidently very sick.

Creeping up I got a head shot which dropped him at once, and going up I found what I had long looked for - a beast with tusks looking anything up to 120 lb. The ground round was covered with blood, so I fancy he would have died. Took a lot of photographs and had tea. Awful bad luck; found one of my bullets had broken the grand tusk clean in two - just within the gum. Also got in a wild cat which I skinned. Felt much better.

1 Elephant

19 ¼ - 18 ½ in middle - 8 ft. long.

1 tusk broken off with bullet - 5 ft. 9" solid.

1 wild cat.

12 miles.

Sunday, 16th February, 1908.

Went out about 6.30 till ten looking for buffalo; saw nothing but heard plenty of elephant. About 10 o'clock last night boys came in begging us to get up and shoot elephant in their potato plots, and an hour later Mongu came saying a big elephant was feeding only a few yards of our kitchen. I got up and went round, when sure enough there in the moonlight stood a grand old beast with huge long curved tusks. I walked up several times within a few yards of him and thought of all the hard work spent in

getting our 70 lbs. animals. This afternoon another big tusker was bathing in the river just below here. Sent a note to Commandant, also to Roke.

Monday, 17th February, 1908.

Did not get up till late as we intended staying in camp all day to await Com. Eugh who arrived at 3.30 with thirty soldiers and a large retinue. On his advice we sent the two pair of tusks into Irumu and I shall ask for them on landing in Hamburgh. During the day I got a curious beast, with very long tail and tongue covered with big scales. It took us some time to kill as it seemed to thrive on poisons. We had our usual evening moonlight visit from a huge one tusker.

1 anteater.

Tuesday, 18th February, 1908.

Got up at 5.30 to see the Commandant start for Averkouki. We then set out for the old chief's shamba - Lambouri; found it a big stockaded building in a huge run clearing. His twenty-four wives were all with their heads over the palisades to

see the new arrivals. Getting a guide we proceeded to cross right over Kifuhu hill to some good buffalo ground. We started in and really had about the roughest three hours walking we have had on trip; no use either for any big game and hopelessly thick. I got both eyes knocked up more than once. At last we drew away from the wretched hill and got down nearer the sharaba, when our useless guide went blundering on top of an elephant. We followed him up but unluckily found him on the watch facing us. I waited a bit and when he swung round his head a bit I was silly enough to fire. Of course it did no damage and again we had to track him up some distance, getting a sight of him again broadside on about 50 yards. I downed him this time, but still not dead, and after two or three ineffectual shots with my Gibbs he managed to get on his feet and stumble about, on which I gave him another cordite as a final. Got in very tired at 1.30. Tusks looked about 50 lbs. Skinned a small rat caught in shamba. Commandant Engh gave us orders to shoot elephant when in shamba.

1 Elephant - 42 inch from outside tip - 15 ½ at tip - 13 midway.

12 miles.

Wednesday, 19th February, 1908.

Out again at 6.30 and walked all over till 10.30; saw nothing but one bit of fresh buffalo spoor. After lunch we had a long visit from our old friend Lambourie. We turned out some boxes and piled him up with goods - a lot of things for the Pygmies to induce them to hunt. Hear a German has gone to Irumu with a large retinue.

10 miles.

Thursday, 20th February, 1908.

Went across river for a short hunt but saw nothing. Nice country - only saw one bush-buck, Osborne went up to pay our salaams to Lambourie.

5 miles.

Friday, 21st February, 1908.

Crossed river early and then recrossed to hunt down the river where we went first day. Had a long search before we came within hearing of 2 elephant. Following them up they got our wind and moved, becoming very suspicious. Got up again but unfortunately only got a snap shot and though bringing one down it went off and hopeless to spoor. Heavy thunderstorm at 4 p.m. Engh safari came along and we took a chop box; our boys went to several villages to raise food. Hunting six hours.

12 miles.

Saturday, 22nd February, 1908.

Went out down river but saw nothing; had a long visit from Lambourie. Soldier brought in some letters. Another heavy thunderstorm at 4 o'clock. Got a head in of the new big pig, also small snake.

Letter

Big pig. J A Haldene

Snake. L

15 miles.

Sunday, 23rd February, 1908.

Up at six and before we had done breakfast a man called across the river that an elephant was in the shamba. We crossed over and soon heard it; followed up and after walking round about a bit among bush and potatoes I got a view but could see no ivory. Not caring to shoot even though a shamba elephant I waited and kept following up. At last I had him full in the open but tail on, so quite unable to see. Waiting at last he turned his head and I saw a good tusk. I dropped him in his tracks giving him the second barrel as he fell. Going up I was surprised to see our old friend of the shamba the one tusker. However, it's a good thing as he was the worst and most frequent visitor to the gardens. Osborne gone down with fever; had temperature of 103 ½. Usual thunderstorm at 4 p.m.

Wrote:

Mary,

J.A. Haldane,

Com. Engh.

Alys,

Bernstein.

1 Elephant. 7 ft. 17 - 16 ½ - 16 single tusker.

Monday, 24th February, 1908.

Poured with rain till about 11 o'clock when I went out alone for three hours. Very wet and steamy. Saw several fresh buffalo spoor but got up to nothing. Boys took out elephant meat to neighbouring villages to exchange for potatoes. Food is running rather short here. Usual thunderstorm but only in distance this afternoon. Had one snake and several rats brought in to skin to-day. Whole place is a mass of fires surrounded by sticks stuck through lumps of elephant meat. After drying it our porters exchange for food with the villages outside. Osborne felt a little better and would sit up a bit - rather foolish temperature 101.

9 miles.

Tuesday, 25th February, 1908.

Had a most awful thunderstorm: started at 5 a.m. till 11 o'clock, poured down in torrents - no chance to go out. River has risen nearly two feet. Headman has gone to Maiaribeau for a night. Lambourie came down to pay us a call; gave him some tobacco and matches. More rain at 5 p.m. with thunder. Osborne much worse; temperature 104 all day; no doubt got a chill yesterday.

Wednesday, 26th February, 1908.

Thunder in distance but missed us. I went out at 7 a.m. till 11, saw nothing. Met some Walesse with two small tusks which I thought they wanted to exchange for cloth, turned out I had misunderstood them, and were going to take them into Irumu. However, old Lambourie sent for them so I don't know what happened. Courier arrived with mail, but only one English letter and papers till January 3rd. River risen two or three feet. Had a big water snake and a smaller most beautiful snake and rat brought in. Osborne got his temperature down to 99 ½ this morning but is rising again towards evening. He is most reckless and no doubt half his temperature is owing to getting chills. Osborne's temperature about 102 ½ at 8 p.m.

Papers for January 3rd.

Letters from; Mr. McMillan, Mr. Aspinall, H. J. Wilson.

1 Water snake 5 ft. 10" long. 6 ½ girth.

1 very pretty horned snake about 18" long.

1 reddish big rat.

Thursday, 27th February, 1908.

Went across river at 7 a.m. and about nine came on wet ground where elephant had just come out of the river. We had therefore a pretty easy spoor and we soon came up with three. I had no difficulty in getting up to the nearest - about 12 yards off.

After a few minutes wait I saw fair good tusks - one shot rolled him over stone dead. Tusks should run about 55 lbs, good ivory. Returning to camp I found Osborne again with a high temperature - 104; fear there must be some thing else wrong, as I never knew such erratic fever temperature. Hardly any rain to-day but very moist and steamy. Lambourie came to pay us a call. Busy every minute of the day - skinning animals, bread making and nursing - after hunting keeps one at it. Osborne's temperature about 102 ½ at bedtime.

12 miles.

1 Elephant - 5 ft. 6"

1 Snake.

1 Squirrel.

1 Red rat.

Friday, 28th February, 1908.

Most of my best boys were busy, but went out down riverside; saw nothing so only stayed out three hours. Getting very wet and soft going, and the forest is like a Turkish bath. Rained during night and been thundering all day in distance. Got two more snakes in. Case of whiskey arrived from Toro. Osborne worse again, temperature at 8 p.m. 105. Quite unable to make out what is the matter.

Wrote letters:

A.E. Bertie Smith,

Wills,

Mr. Aspinall,

Lady Mowbray,

H. Broadley,

C. Pelham Clinton.

10 miles.

Saturday, 29th February, 1908.

A Belgian Officer, Jos. Van Marcke, arrived at 11 o'clock en route for Bilyano (Kuazi/Quasi) where a new post is to be established. Poured in torrents all morning so I did not go out. About 5 p.m. three elephant came to bathe in river only just clear of the shamba. I went down with our headman and a camera but they crossed over. My man thought he knew the road back and after walking some time I told him I was sure we were going wrong way. He persisted he was right but after an hour it became quite dark and we were utterly lost. Pleasant prospect - in a shirt, flannel trousers and tennis shoes, with a badly sprained ankle. I knew we had gone exactly the opposite road by the sun setting. We kept hunting and I fired two shots. To our joy ages after we heard an answering shout in the far distance, and presently we met a second party under the Belgian officer with lamps and boys. Osborne had a better day.

Jos. Van Marcke, Kuezi (Bilyano).