Decf28. ProPerty back, and Kokoro will get bis boy safe
Uranga. again.” Soon after we continued our journey down
river.
On the 28th, with many troubles from sand bars,
we passed by the populous districts of Usimbi and
Ubengo, and at 4 p .m . entered a narrow channel
leading to Ukumira.
This last community came into view early'next
morning. Ukumira seemed to have projected itself in
one body to greet us. It consists of twelve villages,
extending along a ten-mile length of river bank. The
land is very low but densely wooded, and the islands
opposite are remarkable for the apparent impenetrability
of their bush.
A few miles below Ukumira is the well-peopled district
of Bungata, extended in a long line along the right
bank. From its upper end a spacious channel of the
Congo strikes obliquely across towards the left bank,
to be deflected along it by the dry airy bluff banks
of Uranga at the confluence of the Lukungu and the
Congo. No sooner did we appear than Uranga also
poured forth its multitudes, who showed effusive demonstrations
of welcome. _ Our reputation evidently
had been widely extended in our absence. Uranga
was even more cordial than Ukumira, the left bank vied
with the right bank in extending fraternal amenities.
Seventy well-manned canoes darted about us, hailing
Bula Matari by name, wishing him “ more power,”
dinning his ears with numberless invitations to their
different villages, and displaying noisy argumentative-
POPULABITY OF BULA MATARI. 177
ness about the superiority, of their respective chiefs.
One of these clamorous canoe-crews was that which
swept Iuka of Lukolela alongside of us. He had
ventured to Uranga on a trading excursion, and had
already acquired a valuable stock of ivory, while
the prospect of increase wTas promising.
Being an old friend, we accompanied him to his
hotel-village, whither presently all the Uranga chiefs
gathered to make blood-br other hood, to fraternise over
huge pots full of beer, and to exchange views for the
future settlement of a station, and arbitrament of disputes.
As every canoe arriving up-river from the
cloth-marts of Irebu, Usindi, Lukolela, and Bolobo had
been bringing the latest' news of Bula Matari’s doings,
the fruit was ready ripe. We made a treaty with
Uranga, while much loud but harmless fusilading
celebrated the event.
Starting from Uranga at 8.20 a .m ., we arrived at
Equator Station at 4.20 p.m., to find that Lieutenants
Yangele and Coquilhat were well, and that they had
extended their improvements by planting an avenue
of bananas, besides in many other ways beautifying
the station. Ikenge, the native chief, was dead, and
no further trouble was anticipated from him.
Our prisoner, the grandson of Mata Bwyki, was
introduced to Equator. Station, to the “ big house ” of the
Mundele, to the other white men and to the garrison,
to the piles of goods, including the array of cloths, and
the wealth of vari-coloured beads—in order tbat he
might retain the best impressions, and assist us with
VOL. I I .
Uranga.