Weekly expositor. (Brockway Centre, Mich.) 1882-1894, 1890-07-11
FIRST DAYS IN AFRICA
The Lights and shadows OF An Explorers
Life In the Dark Continent.

congo anu DotHd, 10 SChciaiiJ fVW-iJihS
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 final
ly they pen the waters in gorge vary
inc from one-half TO one and a half
miles in breadth. The current becom-
ing swifter and stronger, our little
steamer had to battle her way, at points,
through stretches of wild aud broken
water. The busy little white-roofed
settlement Oh the crown of Vivi Hill.
contrasted pleasantly with the grim
and weather-beaten appearance OF the
surrounding up-lands, as toward even
ing we steamed around point within
view of the station.
This station had been SANKEY'S base
of operations during the passage of his
expedition through the lower reaches
of the river, and was now the down.
country depot. The strongly built
magazines, we'll stocked with all kinds
of stores, provisions, merchandise for
barter, boat-gear, arms, and ammunl-
ton, bore evidence of how thorough
had been the foresight of Stanley in
equipping his expedition. 1t is at
this point that the river becomes I'M
navigable-being broken up for many
miles by innumerable small whirlpools
and rapids
At Vivi our stay was short; after one
DAYS delay we received our stores. for
the march overland TO Isanghela, which
consisted of few tins of preserved
meats, some medicines, little cloth to
buy fresh provisions from the natives
on the road, and spoon and a knife
for each man. Thus equipped, we were
to set out for Isanghela, and go thence
to Stanley Pool. Before daybreak, on
the day of our departure, we were up
and impatient for the start.
For the first time donned the tradi-
tional dress of the explorer, and felt
proud indeed of the helmet. leggins,
and revolver-belt. All our belongings
had to be carried by native porters,
and it was a tedious business getting
the negroes into 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 awk-
wardly shaped. However. they man
aged after time to settle IL among
themselves, and after much gesticula-
ton, and grumbling, differences were
adjusted. But l was grieved to see
when our caravan at last moved off,
that the smallest and weakest-look-
ing men invariably carried the heaviest
loads.
Hill after hill we had to climb and
descend; and many a weary mile we
tramped through the long grass over
the numerous stretches OF plains. AT
times our path would lead along a
curve of the river-bank and give us
glimpses of wild and magnificent scene
ry. 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
boulders seemed to have rolled into the
river. The stream, broken up by
rough and jagged rocks of fantastic
shapes. some of colossal size. stand
ing out boldly in the general disorder,
bidding defiance 10 the eddying cur
rent, swept along with Kissing sound
as If augered 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 light breakfast
of cup of tea, unfavored by milk or
sugar, and a ships biscuit-during
which time our caravan of porters made
their loads ready-we would move of.
and be we'll on the road by half-past
six, 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 rs
contentedly with no covering but a
blanket and the starit sky.
During the march | was anxiously
watching for wild game, always carry
ing my old Snider ready loaded in case
n buffalo should happen to cross my
path. 1t was fortunate that no wild
animal offered itself to be fred at; for,
at that time, had l pitched my skill
against the instinct of the buffalo, tho
result, i am afraid, would have been
unfortunate for me. At Isanshela our
party was divided-half of the men be-
ing 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 arrival,
in whale-boat manned by Zanzibaris.
for Manyanga, lightweight miles dis
tant; this stretch of water is navigable
only with the greatest care-its surface
is agitated by countless small whirl-
pools which, in place, increase in vio-
lence to such a degree that the most
powerful steamer could not stem the
current in mldstream; and the upward
passage at these points is effected only
by hugging the shore and hauling with
ropes around the rocky corners. The
surrounding scenery is as wild as the
water it incloses, changing with every
turn of the river; at times the banks
appeared thickly covered with luxuri-
ant foliage; then rounding another
bend, tall, rocky cliffs stood on either
side, bare and Jagged, with bases torn
and eaten away by the fierce flood
T.. j. Glaze, in So. Nicholas.
What Choir Singers Are Paid.