two of cowries, I sprang on land, followed by the coxswain
Uledi, and in a second I had seized the skinny hand of the
old chief, and was pressing it hard for joy. Warm-hearted
Uledi, who the moment before was breathing furious hate of
all savages, and of the procrastinating old chief in particular
embraced him with a filial warmth. Young Saywa, and Mu’
rabo, and Shumari, prompt as tinder upon all occasions,
grasped the lesser chiefs’ hands, and devoted themselves with
smiles and jovial frank bearing to conquer the last remnants
of savage sullenness, and succeeded so well that in an incredibly
short time the blood-brotherhood ceremony between
the suddenly formed friends was solemnly entered into, and
the irrevocable pact of peace and good-will had been accomplished
!
“ The old chief pointed with his finger to the face of Frank,
which shone white amongst the dusky bodies of his comrades,
and I beckoned to him. The canoes were all to anchor too
yards off shore, but Frank was required to respond to the
chief of Rubunga’s wish for friendship. We distributed presents
to each native, and in return we received great bunched
of mellow, ripe, and green bananas, as well as of fish. It
was agreed between us that we should encamp on this little
islet, on which we find ourselves to-night, with a feeling as
though we were approaching home.
Before leaving the chief of Rubunga’s presence, I asked
him the name of the river, in a mongrel mixture of Ki-
swahili, Kinyamwezi, Kijiji, Kiregga, and Ki-Kusu. He understood
after a while, and replied it was ‘ Ibari.’ But after he
had quite comprehended the drift of the question, he replied
in a sonorous voice, '■Ikutu ya Kongo V
“ There had really been no doubt in my mind since we
had left the Stanley Falls that the terrible river would prove
eventually to be the river of Congo-land, but it was very
agreeable to be told so.
“ We have received food sufficient to last us for this day.
The native women require a longer time to muster courage
to make the acquaintance of the strangers, and have postponed
their visit until to-morrow. A grand market for our
special benefit is to be held on this island. The drums of
Rubunga will be beaten to-morrow morning, not for war, but
to summon the aborigines to come forward with provisions
to sell. In the meantime hunger has been expelled, the gnawing
emptiness has been banished, and our long-harassed minds
are at rest. May this happy friendship be the first of many
more!”
END OF THE THIRD VOLUME.
Printed by Julius Sitten/eldy Berlin•