Chapter 2 Chapter 2 The Moving Flame

The pitch-black bush that had just been ignited with flickering flames was no more than 2 kilometers away from this small hill.There are about a dozen such smoking flames, sometimes connected together, sometimes scattered.Although there is no wind in the air, they are burning fiercely.Perhaps a group of local natives are camping in this grove.However, this blaze was not a bonfire at a certain campsite.The bonfires and flames that people light when they rest at night are concentrated together, but these flames move randomly over an area of ​​more than one hundred. Don't forget that the plains of Ubangi are frequented by nomadic tribes from the Adamaua or Baghirmi regions to the west and from the Uganda region to the east.And a caravan wishing to travel in the dark would not be so imprudent as to announce its presence by the light of a fire.Therefore, there can only be some local aborigines in this grove.Who knows if they have taken ill will on this expedition sleeping in the shade of the tamarind tree?

In any case, whether it is the leaders of these indigenous people who want to threaten the expedition convoy, or hundreds of Pauan, Fangji, Xilu, Bari, Dangka or other indigenous people who are just waiting to attack the expedition convoy by taking advantage of their numbers, At least at 10:30, no one in the expedition convoy took defensive measures.All the people, masters and servants, were fast asleep in the camp.To make matters worse, those hired workers who were in charge of night duty were also immersed in dreams. Fortunately, little Longa woke up.No doubt he too would have fallen asleep again if his eyes had not glanced toward the southern horizon.Although his eyes were still sleepy, he immediately felt the dazzling light piercing the night.He stretched his limbs, rubbed his eyes, and looked more carefully... Oh no!He was not mistaken: scattered lights were moving around the edge of the forest.

Langa immediately thought that the convoy might be attacked.His thoughts are more instinctive than the result of deliberation.In fact, the natives who were ready to rob and slaughter the convoy did not know that when they resorted to surprise they increased their chances of victory.Before, they would not let others discover themselves.But why do these people expose themselves? ... Langa didn't want to wake up Max Huber and John Cotter, he quietly crawled towards the ox cart.When he found Kami, he patted Kami on the shoulder to wake him up, and showed him the fire in the sky with his fingers.

Kami stood up, watched the moving fire for a full minute, and then cried out: "Uldax!" The Portuguese, who had long been accustomed to waking up from his sleep immediately, stood up. "What's the matter, Kami? . . . " "Look!" Kami said, pointing with his arms at the firelit edge of the plain. "Beware of the enemy!" Uldax exclaimed loudly. Within seconds, all the employees in the convoy were on their feet.Everyone was deeply shocked by the seriousness of the situation in front of them, and no one even remembered to blame those negligent Nighthawks.Needless to say, the whole camp would have been attacked while Urdax and his companions were asleep, had it not been for Langa.

As for how Max Huber and John Cotter left the tree roots and found Urdax and Cami again, there is no need to repeat them here. It's a few minutes past 10:30.Darkness of night lay over the north, east, and west of the plain, and only the south was illuminated by the glowing pockets of fire.There are no less than 50 of these dazzling fires. "It must be a group of natives," said Urdax, "and probably the Buzhao natives who frequent the banks of the Congo and Ubangui rivers." "Certainly," added Cami, "these fires didn't start themselves..." "Also," observed John Cotter, "I see someone's arm moving with a torch!"

"But," said Max Hubert, "the arms should grow on the shoulders, and the shoulders should grow on the body, but in these firelights we cannot see the human body..." "It's because they're behind the trees over the edge..." Kami said. "But," Max Huber went on, "I don't think this is a procession walking on the edge of the forest... No! Although these fires are not continuous, they always return to the same place... " "It must be the camp of these natives," Kami said with certainty. "What's your opinion? . . . " John Cotter asked Urdax.

"We will be attacked," said Urdax, "and we must take precautions now..." "But why didn't these natives attack us before they exposed themselves?" "Negroes are not the same as whites," said Urdax, "though they are ill-considered, but because of their numbers and brutality they are terrifying..." "This is a cheetah that even our missionaries can't turn them into lambs! ..." added Max Huber. "Get ready!" said Urdax at last. Yes, prepare to resist until the moment of death.Don't expect the slightest sympathy from the natives of Ubangui.We simply cannot imagine how cruel they were.Even the most savage tribes of Australia, Salomon, Ebride, and New Guinea were hardly equal to these natives.In the middle of the region were tribes of cannibals, not unknown to the missionaries who risked their lives.We should have classified these beasts as animals.In this part of equatorial Africa, weakness is a sin and strength is everything!In fact, even when these blacks reach adulthood, few of them can reach the level of intelligence possessed by 5 or 6-year-old children!

One thing is certain—the evidence abounds, and missionaries were often witnesses to these grisly scenes—human sacrifice is still practiced in this region.The slaves here were buried for their masters.The heads of slaves were fastened to soft branches, and when fetish priests cut them down, the heads were thrown far away.Children between the ages of 10 and 16 are often eaten as food during grand ceremonies, and some tribal leaders eat only the tender flesh of these children. In addition to their cannibal nature, these natives are also prone to robbery.In remote areas, they sometimes attack, loot and pillage on the roads of caravans.Although these natives do not have well-armed weapons like merchants and their hired laborers, they are numerous, and thousands of natives can always defeat hundreds of hired laborers.The drivers were not ignorant of this.Therefore, they do not drive their vehicles to these villages at all, such as Nagombe Dara, Karaka Taymer and some villages in the Aukadebe and Abiad River areas.There are no missionaries in these villages yet, but someday they will come.Nothing dreadful could prevent the devotion of these missionaries to wrest the lives of young children from the hands of death, and to repopulate these savage races with Christian civilization.

From the very beginning of this expedition, Urdax was often attacked by the local natives, but he was able to save himself every time without costing too much and without casualties.The return journey is very safe.After bypassing this forest from the west, the convoy can reach the right bank of the Ubangui River, and then follow the river all the way down, they can reach the estuary where the Ubangui River flows into the right bank of the Congo River.From the Ubangui River, merchants and missionaries entered and exited the area.At that time, the convoy would not have to worry about encountering nomadic tribes.The colonists of France, Britain, Portugal, Germany and other countries all hoped to gradually drive these aborigines to the remote area of ​​Darfur.

The convoy only needs a few more days to reach the Ubangui River.However, on this section of the road, will they be wiped out because they encounter a large number of looters? ...Everyone needs to worry about this.In any case, the convoy was not going to be wiped out without resistance.Under the call of Urdax, everyone was ready for all resistance. In an instant, Hurdax, Camille, John Cotter, and Max Hubert were fully armed. They held carbines and waist pistols, and their guns were fully loaded.The dozens of rifles and pistols on the bullock cart were handed over to a few loyal and reliable hired hands.

At the same time, Urdax ordered his men to deploy beside several tall tamarind trees, so as to avoid the deadly poison arrows. Everyone waited, there was no movement in the night sky.It seems that these natives are not walking in the front of the forest.The fire kept moving, and there were long wisps of yellow smoke everywhere. "These resin-lit torches are marching along the edge of the forest..." "Yes," said Max Huber, "but I still stand by my opinion. If these people want to attack us, why would they light a torch and expose themselves?  …" Indeed, it is difficult to explain.But since they were the uncivilized natives of the upper Ubangui region, why should it be surprising? ... Half an hour passed, and the situation remained unchanged.The people in the camp were waiting in full force, and everyone's eyes were fixed on the dark area in the distance from east to west.When the flames illuminate the south, a small party may sneak up on the convoy from the side through the darkness. In this direction the plain is certainly uninhabited.It was impossible for a handful of attackers to sneak up on Urdax and his companions before they took up arms. After a while, it was almost 11 o'clock, Max Huber took a few steps away from the team organized by Hurdax, Kraft and John Cotter, and said firmly: "I have to meet the enemy..." "Would it do any good?" asked John Cotter. "Isn't the most prudent thing to ask us to keep watch till daybreak? . . . " "Wait...wait..." retorted Max Huber, "our sleep is interrupted like this... 6 or 7 hours with a gun in hand!... No! Should have known what to do sooner !...Anyway, if these natives have no malicious intentions at all, then I still want to go back under the tree and continue my dream!" "What do you think?..." John Cotter asked the silent Urdax. "Perhaps M. Max Hubert's proposal is worth considering," he went on, "but don't act rashly..." "I apply for a reconnaissance," said Max Hubert, "you believe me..." "I will accompany you," added Camille, "if M. Hurdax thinks it is possible..." "It's better this way," agreed Urdax. "I could go with you too..." John Cotter suggested. "No... you stay, my dear friend," insisted Max Huber, "two people are enough... besides, we won't go too far... if we find a procession coming this way , we'll be right back..." "See if your weapons are loaded..." John Cotter reminded. "No problem," Kami replied, "but I don't want to use weapons in this reconnaissance. The most important thing is not to expose ourselves..." "I thought so too," said Urdax. Max Huber and Camille walked side by side, and they soon left the hill with the tamarind trees.The plain over there looked less dark already.However, within a distance of 100 meters, it is still difficult to see people. After walking less than 50 steps, they found Langa following behind.The child followed them out of the camp without a word. "Hey! Why are you here, little guy? . . . " asked Kami. "Yes, Langa," said Max Hubert, "why don't you stay with everyone? . . . " "Go back...," Kami ordered. "Oh! Mr. Max," murmured Langa, "with you... I...with you..." "You know, your friend John is over there..." "Yes...but my friend Max...here..." "We don't need you!..." Kami said sternly. "Now that he's here, let him follow us!" said Max Hubert. "He won't get in our way, Cami. Besides, his eyes are as sharp as a wild cat's, and he may be able to see in the dark." Find something we can't see..." "Yes... I can see... I can see far!..." the child assured. "That's good! . . . walk beside me," said Max Hubert, "and keep your eyes open!" Three people walked forward.After a quarter of an hour, they had reached the area between the camp and the big forest. The firelight under the big tree has been flickering, and the firelight became brighter as we got closer.But despite Cammy's eyesight, despite the quality of the spectacles Max Huber had just taken out of the box, and despite the sharp eyesight of Little Wildcat, they couldn't see who was moving the torches. This confirmed Urdax's point: the lights came from deep in the forest, hidden behind dense thorn bushes and thick tree trunks.To be sure, the natives hadn't come out of the edge of the forest, and maybe they didn't even want to. Indeed, it is increasingly difficult to explain.Why did they light torches at the edge of the forest, if these were merely natives taking their night's rest, intending to resume their journey at dawn? … What is the nocturnal celebration that keeps them awake at this hour? ... "I even wondered," said Max Huber, "whether they had spotted our convoy, whether they knew that our convoy was parked next to the tamarind tree..." "Yes," said Kami, "it is possible that they arrived at nightfall, when night fell over the plain, and since our campfires were out, perhaps they did not know that we were camped not far away. ?... But, starting tomorrow morning, they will find us..." "Unless we've already set off, Kami." Max Huber and Camille continued on in silence. They walked another half a kilometer in this way, and at this time they were only a few hundred meters away from the forest. There was nothing suspicious about the land, now and then illuminated by the long beams of the torches.No human figures were found in the three directions of east, west, and south.It seems they don't want to attack right away.Moreover, although Max Hubert, Cami and Langa were so close to the edge, none of them could detect those who had exposed themselves with these countless torches. "Shall we go any further?..." Max Huber asked after a few seconds of pause. "What's the use? . . . " said Kami. "Isn't it more dangerous? . . . In short, our convoy is likely to remain undiscovered, and if we leave tonight . . . " "I might prefer to stay!..." Max Huber repeated, "this situation is so special..." A little thing can arouse a Frenchman's rich imagination. "Let's go back to the knoll," Kami said. However, he had to go on a few more steps.Because Langa, who was following Max Huber, was unwilling to go back... Perhaps, the three of them had reached the edge of the forest at this time.Suddenly, Kami stopped. "Don't go any further," he whispered. Could it be that imminent danger stopped Kami and his companions? ...they saw a troop of natives? ...are they going to be attacked? . . . One thing is certain, there has been a sudden change at the edge of the forest where the fire is burning. These flames disappeared in an instant behind the big trees in the front row that were blurred in the pitch black. "Beware! . . . " said Max Hubert. "Back off! . . . " said Kami. Should they back off given the possibility of a surprise attack? ……Maybe.In any case, it is better not to back off and fire until you are not ready to return fire.When the eyes of the three men kept searching in the dark bushes at the edge of the forest, they raised the carbines they had brought to their shoulders again. Suddenly, about 20 bright lights reappeared in this shadow. "My God!" exclaimed Max Huber, "this time, if this is not an extraordinary miracle, at least it must be a strange thing!" Exactly.The torches, which had been shining just now at the same level as the plain, were now intensified at a height of 50 to 100 feet above the ground. As for the fellows who wielded these torches, they were now on the lower branches and now on the higher ones, as if a gust of wind carried the flames through the thick leaves of the great trees.Neither Max Huber, nor Cami, nor Langa could make out a single figure. "Hey!" cried Max Huber, "could this be a will-o'-the-wisp dancing in a tree? . . . " Cammy shook her head.Max's explanation of this phenomenon did not satisfy him in the slightest. In spite of the hydrogen smell of the flames, we must not confuse these flames with the Gothic will-o'-the-wisps of St. Elm.These more than 20 fires seem to be the discharge phenomenon caused by lightning strikes on tree branches or on the mast of ships.But there was no lightning in the sky at all, and the clouds predicted that it was about to break into a downpour that regularly poured over this central part of Black Africa. However, why do some of these natives who camp under the trees lie in the woods, and some stay at the highest branches? ...Why do they move around with these straw torches or pitch torches that can be heard crackling at a distance? ... "Go a little further..." said Max Hubert. "It's useless," Kami replied. "I don't think our camp will be attacked tonight. Now we'd better go back to the camp and reassure our partners..." "But, Kami, if we can know how to deal with this phenomenon, I think we can reassure them more..." "No, Mister Max, let's not venture any further... There is no doubt that a tribe is encamped here... Why are these nomads lighting torches?... Why are they hiding in these big trees? ...Did they light the torch because they wanted to drive away the wild beasts? ..." "Beasts?..." Max Huber asked, "but we should be able to hear the low growls of cheetahs, hyenas, and bison, but the only thing we can hear now is the crackle of these pine resin burning, It's like starting a forest fire! . . . I want to know . . . " So Max Hubert took a few steps forward, followed by Langa who did not follow Kami's call. Kami hesitated what to do next as he was powerless to call the impatient Frenchman back.Unwilling to let him venture alone, Kami decides to accompany him all the way to the woods, although in Kami's eyes this is an unforgivable act of recklessness. Suddenly, he stopped.At the same time, Max and Langa also stopped. All three turned their backs to the forest.It was no longer the flame that attracted their attention.It seemed that with the sound of the storm, all the torches were extinguished at once, and the deep and endless darkness enveloped the entire horizon. Across from them, a distant murmur echoed in the air.Rather, it was a long growl, a nasal snoring, as if a great organ had spread its notes over the plain. Is there going to be a storm?Maybe it's the thunder before the rain? ... No! …Storms like this often hit equatorial Africa, but not this time.This characteristic low growl indicated that it was made by some kind of animal, and this sound did not come from the kind of echo produced by the friction between lightning and clouds.To be precise, this sound came from a big mouth, not a cloud. Besides, there is no such thing as lightning flashing one after another in a short interval in the low sky.The sky was as dark in the north as in the south, without a single bolt of lightning.Through the clouds, there was not a single light between those piled-up cirrus clouds. "What is this, Cami? . . . " asked Max Huber. "Go back to camp...," Kami replied. "What the hell is this? . . . " exclaimed Max Huber. Kami strained his ears to listen, and amidst the growing closer and louder growl, he heard a more distinct scream, like the screech of a train whistle. "Run!" Kami yelled. "Run!"

---

Notes: