We halted, staring dubiously at this darksome hole, which no doubt was
the same that Babemba had explored in his youth. Then the Kalubi gave
an order, and some of the soldiers went to huts that were built near
the mouth of the cave, where I suppose guardians or attendants lived,
though of these we saw nothing. Presently they returned with a number
of lighted torches that were distributed among us. This done, we
plunged, shivering (at least, I shivered), into the gloomy recesses of
that great cavern, the Kalubi going before us with half of our escort,
and Komba following behind us with the remainder.
The floor of the place was made quite smooth, doubtless by the action
of water, as were the walls and roof, so far as we could see them, for
it was very wide and lofty. It did not run straight, but curved about
in the thickness of the cliff. At the first turn the Pongo soldiers
set up a low and eerie chant which they continued during its whole
length, that according to my pacings was something over three hundred
yards.
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