Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1877-09-28

Henry NJ. Stanley emerged from the Afri-
can wilderness, August Sth, and maic his
appearance on the west coast of the great
tropical continent at the mouth of the Congo
River 1t is about three years since he left
Zanzibar, on the east coast, and during all
that time he has been exploring the heart OF
the great stronghold of mystery and barhar-
ism under the greatest of difficulties, and IN
tine face OF obstacles which few men would
have the courage, the energy and the strength
to overcome. To his former discovery of the
Shimecyu river ~ the iurthcst southern
source Of the Nile. to his researches between
the lakes Albert and Victoria, and to his
complete circumnav igailOn ot Lake Tangan-
yika, is now added the distinction of having
identified the mighty Lualata OF the heart "i
the continent with the Congo.
Lieutenant Cameron turned back from the
problem Of the great river 10 avoid conflict
for powerful chiet had warned him that M
no men with guns in their hands should cv-
or cross his country without fighting Stan
ley left Nyangwe, November 10, 1876. with
what remained of his original army from
Zanzibar, and an escort of llO natives OF that
locality. The party proceeded northward
for long distance ON the right bank ol the
Luulaba without other difficulties than those
which the nature of the country presented.
Then they crossed to the left bank, and.
after struggling long in u dense forest, they
came into u hostile country where they were
constantly harrassed ty sayageS, who, night
and day, hurled upon them flights Of poison
ed arrows, which Killed manyloi them. These
savages were unappeasablc by gifts, indeed
,fl,r tafI ~
regarded Stanley's patient attempts to treat
with them as signs OF cOwardiee. In the
midst of this trouble, his Nyangwc rein
forcemcnts deserted in IL body, and then the
natives made II giand attack on his camp, de
termincd evidently to crush HIM out. They
were rcpul~ed after desperate hight, and
then Stanley took to the water with the eX-
ploring boat Lady Alice and Is canoes. The
arrows from the bank continued To annoy
them, and especially when stopped, by Sc
| reS Of cataractS, they were Obliged to make
portage of l. miles Just at the equator.
Here the Lualaba changes its nOrtherly course
| turning north west, then west, and ilnalIy
southwest, rccros-ing the equator. whence
its course continues in that general direction
| to the coast The difficulty ut keeping up
| his scientific observations under the eireul-
| stances described may be imagined ,yct stan
lev writes that he did not neglect them. lie
gained some days Of immunity from attack 10y
keeping in the river under the protection oi
numerous islands, but it was at cost OF great
suffering from hunger. At the extreme
point OF this privation he braved the worst
hy taking to the shore, and fortunately mI-
pencd upon friendly village Here the
party rested and obtained provisions. Three
days alter their departure from this pleasant
spot Stanleys force fought fierce battle
with an enemy that had muskets, and attack
ed him in O. canoes. lie tried to mako
peace by gifts, and only abandoned the at
tempt when three OF his men had been kIll
ed. The battle continued Tor II distance OF
l. miles down the river, and was the hardest
Of - fights since the expedition lett Ny
angwe.
No further details of the expedition are
given in the abstract of Stanley'S letter pub
ilshed in the Hfaid. HIS force has been
reduced fearlGlly in the long and terrible
Journey, and, rs the fruit ot tins loss VI Ilie
and these dire hu:dships, he oilers the world
knowledge OF the mighty Congo.