Waterbury evening Democrat., 1890-04-25
FIRST DAYS IN AFRICA.
q Journey Between the Mouth Of
 the Congo and Boma-
vlvi Rill. the Daso of stsnley's Operations The Traditional Drsss of an Ex- plorsr-The Order of the
 Day During March.

vlvl 1ill. the Baso of Stanley's Operations |
 The Traditional Drsss of an Ex-
 plorsr-The Order of the
 Day During . March. The busy little white-roofed settle ment on the crown of Vivi Hill con- trasted pleasantly with the grim and weather-bearen appearance of tho sur rounding up-lands, as toward evening we steamed around point within view of tho station. This station, writes E. J. Glave in St. Nicholas, had been Stanley's base of operations during the passage of his OK petition through tho lower reaches of the river, and was now the downcoun- try depot. Tho strongly-built maga- zines, we'll stocked with all kinds of stores, provisions, merchandise for bar ter, boat-genr, arms and ammunition, bore evidence of how thorough had boon the foresight of Stanley in equip ping his expedition. It is at this point that tho river becomes unnavigable- being broken up for many miles by in- mum ora ble small whirlpools and rapids.
 At Vivi our stay was short; after one days delay we received our stores for tho march overland to Isanghela, which consisted of few tins of preserved meats, some medicines, a little cloth to buy fresh provisions from the natives on the road and a spoon and knife for each man. Thus equipped, we were to set out for Isanghcla 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 tra- ditional dress of tho explorer and felt proud indeed of tho helmet, leggins and revolver-belt. All our belongings had to be carried by native porters, and 1t was tedious business getting the negroes into marching order; hours were wasted in their absurd disputes before we could get fairly away from the sta tion. Eaoh carrier had some complaint to mako about the load which was given to him. It was either "too big" or ''too heavy," or else was awkwardly shaped. However, they managed after 9 time to settle it among themselves, and after much gesticulation and grumbling diff ferences were adjusted. But was grieved to see when our caravan at last moved of that tho smallest and weak est-look- ing men invariably carried the heaviest loads.
 Hill after hill we had to climb and de- scend, and many weary milo we tramped through tho 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 scenery. Now forest of tropical trees grew thickly down to the waters edge, while but fow miles further bare perpendicular cliffs roso abruptly on both sides, down whose sides great boulders seemed to havo rolled into the river. Tho stream, broken up by rough and jagged rocks of fantastic shapes, somo of colossal size, standing out boldly in the general dis order, bidding defiance to the eddying current, swept along with hissing sound as if angered at the stern resist anco of the rocks.
 The orderof tho day during the march was as follows: At tho first streaks of dawn, after light breakfast of a cup of tea, unflavorcd by milk or sugar, and Q ships biscuit-during which time our caravan of porters made their loads ready -we would move off, and be well on the road by half-past six, and continue marching until noon, when we would rest for tho day. At night we would sleep sometimes on the floor of some
 
 would lie down just as contentedly with no covering but a blanket and a starlit sky.
 During the march I was anXiously watching for wild game, always carry ing my old Snider ready loaded in case buffalo should happen to cross my path. It was fortunate that no wild animal offered itself to bo fired at; for, at that time, had I pitched my skill against the instinct of the buffalo, the result, am afraid would have been un- fortunate for me. At Isanghcla our party was divided-half of tho men be- ing told of for service on the lower river, while we four Englishmon and one Swedish officer were to mako our way up-river. Our division started early on tho morning after our arrival in a whale boat manned by Zanzibaris for Manyanga, cighty-eight miles dis tant: this stretch of water Is navigable only with tho greatest care-its surface Is agitated by countless small whirl pools which, in places, increase in vio lence to such a degree that tho mos powerful steamer could not stem the current in midstream; and tho upward passage at these points is effected only by hugging the shore and hauling witt ropes around the rocky corners. The surrounding scenery is as wild as thu wa CT it incloses, changing with ever, turn of the river; at times tho banks ap peared thickly covered with luxurian foliage; then rounding another bend tall, rocky cliffs stood on either side bare and jagged, with bases torn an( eaten away by the fierce flood.
 
 An exceedingly cheeky thief made hi appearance in Boston one day last week He was dressed in overalls He wen into the office of q life insurance com