noon
Four of the women had lost their left hands . The hands had been amputated just above the wrist in three cases , and one woman had suffered amputation at the middle of the forearm . He spoke of this to Berselius , who did not seem to hear his remark . At noon they halted for a three hours ' rest , and then pushed on , camping for the night , after a twenty-five miles ' journey , in a break of the forest . Just as going along the coast by Pondoland one sees English park scenery running down to the very sea edge , so the Congo has its surprises in strips of country that might , as far as appearance goes , have been cut out of Europe and planted here . This glade which Félix had chosen for a camping place was strewn with rough grass and studded here and there with what at first sight seemed apple trees : they were in reality thorns . The camp was pitched and the fires lit on the edge of the forest , and then Berselius proceeded to take tale of his people and found one missing .