[Illustration: GIVING BEADS TO QUERLAOUEN'S WIFE.] Obindji told me that he had heard Malaouen had gone on some trading expedition. I had, therefore, only to regret not being able to see him or Gambo, who had returned to his own country. I missed them dreadfully, and I left word with Obindji to tell them to come to the Ashira country after me. I could not possibly remain, and all the entreaties of friend Obindji could not make me stay. I must go to the Ashira country. In the mean time, a new comer is to be one of the chiefs of the party. Okendjo, an Ashira man, with Adouma, is going to lead us. Adouma received very positive orders from the king to follow me to the Ashira country. Wherever I go, he must not return without me. With Bakalai and Goumbi people, amounting to thirty-two men all told, I left the morning after my arrival for the Ashira land. Okendjo was in his glory; he had conceived the brilliant idea of taking the first moguizi into his country. CHAPTER XXI. LEAVE FOR ASHIRA LAND.--IN A SWAMP.--CROSS THE MOUNTAINS.--A LEOPARD AFTER US.--REACH THE ASHIRA COUNTRY. Early on that morning of my departure for the Ashira Land we were awakened by the voice of friend Obindji, who was recommending Okendjo to take great care of his "white man," and see that nothing should hurt him. We were soon under way, and, leaving the Ovenga, ascended the Ofoubou River for three miles and a half, when we unloaded our canoes. Then we struck off due east. We had very great trouble in getting through the marshy lands which border the river, for they were overflowed to the very foot of the hills. This was about as hard a piece of traveling as I ever had in my life. The water was so yellow that I could not see to the bottom, which was slimy clay, covering the roots of trees. I hardly entered the swamp before down I seated myself in a manner I did not like at all. I barely saved my gun from going to the bottom. My foot had slipped on a root. Then I went tottering along, getting hold of all the branches or trees I could reach, at the same time saying to myself that I did not see the use of such a country. I was in water from my knees to my waist; below my knees I was in mud. I felt warm enough, for at every step I would go deeper into the sticky mud, and it was difficult to get my feet out again. I took good care to have Okendjo and two or three fellows go ahead of me. They had no clothes, and if they tumbled into the water I did not care; they were not long in drying off. Finally we got through, and stood at the foot of a mountain ridge along which, we may say, lay the route leading to Ashira Land. Here we gave three cheers, and with cheery hopes I started once more for a _terra incognita_.