38 THE CONGO.
1883.
June 18.
Wangatà.
Black River—we halted to converse with the people,
and were invited to approach the landing-place.
Here we learned that we were among the Baknti, a
tribe which begins at Ikengo and ends at Baruki, the
town at the month of the Mohindu. On the right
bank are situated the Bakanga; the large island of
Nsambana, nearly twenty-five miles in length, occupies
the centre of the Congo, between the two tribes.
The Bakuti soon made friendship with us after the
customary forms of blood brotherhood. Land was
shown to us to build upon, then after leaving human
pledges for our return, we hastened to Inganda. On
the next day we packed up and transported the expedition
to Equator Station, which is situated in the
neighbourhood of Wangata, at 0° 1' 0" N. lat.
Lieutenant Vangele was appointed chief of the new
station, and twenty-six men were delivered over to
him to form its garrison. Lieutenant Coquilhat, with
twenty more men, was appointed to assist Lieutenant
Yangele until a further reinforcement of men and
goods could be conveyed to him from Leopoldville.
We halted a few days to assist with our crews the
clearing: of the bush from the site of the new station,
as well as for the settlement of all claims, payments,
distribution of gifts to important persons ; and on the
20th of June we descended the- Congo River on our
return to Irebn, where we arrived after seven hours
and forty-five minutes’ steaming.