[To face page 157, Vol. II.
SCENE FROM THE COYELET NEAR OUR STATION AT STANLEY FALLS. THE SEVENTH CATARACT IN THE DISTANCE. (From, a photograph.)
of Wané Mikunga navigation is interrupted by rock m
skoals and little rapids. On tke right navigation may st<mieT
be continued either up the creek between Wane Rusari
and the mainland for a mile higher, or up the main
river to a point nearly opposite the lower end of Wane
Mikunga.
About a thousand yards above the cataract begins
the islands occupied by, the tribe of Wane Sironga,
commanded by the chiefs Lumami and Yanzi.
The three tribes number about 4000 people—1500
on the isle of Wane' Rusari ; 1000 at Wane Mikunga ;
and 1500 on the islands of Wane' Sironga. At the present
time they are rapidly on the increase, receiving accessions
to their numbers from the persecuted Yakusu.
These people are all devoted to fishing. The two
mam channels are almost bridged at the Ralls. .At
very low water they plant poles between the rocks,
and by lashing cross poles, and propping up the uprights,
they have secured access towards the centre
of the raging waters. With cables of rattan they lash
their baskets into which the fish are swept, and each
day these are visited by the daring fishermen. The
little island in the centre is reached in large broad
canoes cut out of the cottonwood from below. I t.is
an exciting sight to see forty stout fellows paddle one
of these through the waves, heedless of the boiling and
dangerous waters. They advance along the left bank,
and then by desperate strokes they edge diagonally
across the stream ; the water above thé fall being
level with tliéir heads. They miss the island as often