The National tribune., 1900-05-03

ascend a short series Of rapids not over
four rods wide and 10 rods long, which
were deep, safe, and only needed q good
head of steam. l had two splendid fire
men. good steam, and up we went on TO
a fine stretch of level water. We got about
seven tons of ivory and returned that
evening. | slept until about 1 o'clock
when a storm awakened me. / got up to
see that all was o. X, and went to rest
again until SIX a. m, when a cup OF coffee
was prepared and / got up. At seven
breakfast was ready at the house. so
went up and satisfied my appetite. While
We were eating many people came about,
but did not pay attention TO them.
After breakfast / went down to the
steamer and sat down in front to read
chapter. My little girl Bell came TO me
and told me to look out west, in the road.
l did, and there were two creatures which
were curios to me. They were human be-
ings. with short body. very large around
the shoulders, and small at the hips. The
legs were short, but tapered down, like ta-
per candles, to small feet. The arms We're
large at the shoulders and small at the
wrists, with small, hands. The head was
rather small and round as a ball, with
small forehead and mouth, shallow chin,
small, pug nose, little, high ears. and very
small, sharp eyes.
were very shy, so l was careful to not scare
Little Bell was by no means a coward.
She wanted to get stick and drive them
away. She said that they were only half
human, and would steal anything that they
could get their hands on. / told her to
keep still, as l wanted to learn more about
these strange creatures.
l stood perfectly quiet, and soon they
came close enough for me to hear them
talking in the Fiot tongue. / told tn I'm
to come down and see the steamer, but
they would not. Then ! went up on the
bank. talking to them as / approached,
until l reached out and took one by the
hand and then another. Such pleased
boys are seldom found anywhere. They
went with me on board the steamer and
examined every part. l tried to explain
the, machinery to them. They said that
God and white men knew all things, but
they did not understand. They seemed
very bright, but were extremely suspicious.
Before we parted they asked us to come
to their country, which is known as
Njhimbu Mosquito" Land, and they are
called the Njhimbu people. They want
our trade,a and said they had plenty Of ivory.
We loaded with ivory and started down
with the stream and got back into old
Congo safely. Instead of going farther
up the Congo, / decided, as We were loaded
that we had better, go to Leo and get an
other load of goods and start again which
We did. We arrived at Lukolclla go days
later. AS our load was mostly for Mr..
and Mrs. Hartrock and Mr.. Moody and
Mr.. Bains, / went on steadily until we ar
rived at Irrebu. Finding all well there ex-
cept Rev. Mr.. Bains, who had light fever,
l decided that he had better go up river
for a change.
Next morning we had word, and started
after breakfast and ran that day to an
island where we usually secured wood.
Finding a supply, we decided to start
some four miles southeast for Equator
Station. The weather was by no means
favorable. The wind was blowing and we
We're on large open expanse of water.
Clouds were getting thick and dark, the
sun had set, and no moon was visible.
DANGEROUS TRIP.
sent a lantern up on the awning, so
that could see some distance ahead. /
called several times with the whistle for a
light TO be placed on the beach, as the