Page 188 - Adventures in Africa

which seemed to break directly over our heads, while

almost immediately afterwards* there came a most
fearful shrieking and shouting from the village close

to which we were encamped. Slipping 011 our coats,
we hurried out. As we did so a curious sight met
our gaze. The whole of the male population were

on foot, armed with bows, and arrows; and as the
lightning darted from Llie black clouds we saw them
shooting away at them as fast as they could place

their arrows to the string.
A s may be supposed, we kept carefully behind the
savages lest we might be struck by the arrows,

which we had heard were poisoned. The thunder
rattled and roared, the lightning flashed, and the
men shrieked and howled. I asked Toko what it

all meant.
“ They re shooting at the storm-clouds to drive
them away,” he answered.

“ Do you think it will produce that effect?” I
asked.

“ Who knowsr” he replied. “ They fancy so, and
are therefore right to try and get rid of the storm,
and drive away what they believe would do them

harm.”
I told Toko that the powerful Being who rules the
heavens would not be influenced by such folly, though

he would be ready to hear the prayers of the smallest
child. He seemed to take the matter far more lightly
than T should have expected.

“ They are poor ignorant savages,” he remarked,
“ who have not the advantage of living with white
men/'