The morning call., 1890-06-16
THE CONGO REGION.
One of Stanley's Lieutenants First
Days in Africa
A Trip on the River-The March Overland to
Isanghela-0n the Lookout for
Game.

Word reached US at Bona that Stanley
was anxiously waiting for new men up
river, so we had to embark and continue
our journey at daybreak next morning.
The growth ON the banks of the river be-
tween the mouth Of the Congo and Bona,
is generally low-lylng mangrove swamp or
sere grass, the land gradually trending away
in the distance in ranges of green hills.
From Bona to Vivi these hills approach
nearer and nearer the river, until finally
they pen the waters in gorge varying
from One-half to one and half miles in
breadth. The current becoming swifter
and stronger, our little steamer had to bat
tie her way. at points, through stretches OF
wild and broken water. The busy little
white-roofed settlement ON the crown Of
Viyi Hill, contrasted pleasantly with the
grim and weather-beaten appearance of the
surrounding uplands, as toward evening we
steamed around point within view of the
station.
This station had been SANKEY'S base of
operations during the passage of his expe-
dition through the lower reaches of the
river, and was now the down country
depot. The strongly built magazines, well
stocked with all kinds of stores, provisions,
merchandise for barter, boat-gear. arms
and ammunition, bore evidence of how
thorough had been the foresight of Stanley
in equipping his expedition. 1t is at this
point that the river becomes unnaylgabie-
being broken up for many miles by III
Vulnerable small whirlpools and rapids.
AT Vivi our stay was Short After one
days delay we received our stores for the
NOR 0varloD6 Tn ISanphpla which
sisted of a few tins of preserved meats,
some medicines, little cloth to buy fresh
provisions from the natives on the road,
and spoon and knife Tor each man.
Thus equipped we were to set out for lSan-
ghela, and 20 thence to Stanley Pool. Be-
fore daybreak, on the day of our departure,
we were up and impatient for the start.
For the first time | donned the traditional
dress of the explorer and felt proud indeed
of the helmet, leggins and revOlyer-belt
All our belongings had to be carried by ma
tive pOrters, and 1t was tedious business
getting the negroes in marching order
hours were wasted in their absurd disputes
before we could get fairly away from the
station. Each carrier had some complaint
to make about the load which was given to
him. 1t was either ''too big" or too
heavy" or else was awkwardly shaped.
However, they managed after a time to set
tie it among Themselves, and alter much
gesticulation and grumbling, differences
were adjusted. But was grieved TO see,
when our caravan at last moved off, that
the smallest and Notwithstanding men in
variably carried the heaviest loads.
Hill after hill we had to cline and de-
scend, and many weary mile we tramped
through the long grass over the numerous
stretches of plains. AT times our path
would lead along curve of the river-bank,
and give us glimpses of wild and magnif-
cent scenery. Now a forest of tropical
trees grew thickly down to the waters
edge, while, but few miles further, bare
perpendicular cliffs rose abruptly on both
sides, down whose sides great powders
seemed to have rolled into the river. The
stream, broken up by rough and jagged
rocks of fantastic shapes, some of colossal
size, standing out boldly in the general dis
order bidding defiance to the eddying cur
rent, swept along with kissing sound as II
angered at the stern resistance of the rocks.
The order of the day during the march
was as follows: At the first streaks of
dawn, after a light breakfast of a cup of
tea unflavored by milk or sugar and a
ships biscuit-during which time our cara
van of porters made their loads ready-8e
would move off, and be we'll on the road by
half-past 6, and continue marching until
noon, when we would rest for the day. At
night we would sleep sometimes on the
floor of some native hut, or if crossing an
open plain would lie down just as con-
tentedly, with no covering but blanket
{ During the march was anxiously watch
ing for wild game, always carrying my old
Snyder ready loaded in case buffalo should
happen to cross my path. 1t was fortunate
that no wild animal offered itself to be fired
at; for, at that time, had pitched my skill
against the instinct of the buffalo, the re-
suit, | am afraid, would have been unfor-
tunate for me. At Isanghela our party was
diyided-half of the men being told off for
service, on the lower river, while we four
Englishmen and one Swedish officer were to
make our way up-river. Our division
started early on the morning after our arri-
val in a whale-boat manned by Zanzlbaris
for Manyanga, eighty-eight miles distant;
this stretch OF water is nayigable only with
the greatest care-its surface is agtated by
countless small whirlpooIs, which, in
places, increase in violence to such
a degree that the most powerful steamer
could not stem the current in mid
stream; and the upward passage at these
points is effected only by hugglng the
shore and hauling with ropes around the
rocky corners, The surrounding scenery
is as wild as the water it ineloses, chang
ing with every turn of the river; at times
the banks appeared thickly covered with
luxuriant foliage; then rounding another
bend. tall, rocky cliffs stood on either side,
bare and jagged. with bases torn and eaten
away by the fierce fioOd.-FrOm six Years
in the Wilds of Central Africa" by E. j.
Glave in st. Nicholas.