also profusely decorated with an amount o f brass-work and
skill that places them very high among the clever tribes.
These knives are carried in broad sheaths o f red buffalo-hide
and are suspended b y a belt of the same material. Besides
an antique flintlock musket, each warrior is, armed with from
four to five light and long assegais, with staves being of the
C urtisia fa g in ea , and a bill-hook sword. They are a finely
formed people, o f a chocolate brown, very partial to camwood
powder and palm-oil. Snuff is very freely taken, and
their tobacco is most pungent.
“ February 21.— This afternoon at 2 P.M. we continued our
journey. Eight canoes accompanied us some distance, and
then parted from us, with many demonstrations o f friendship.
The river flows from Ikengo south-westerly, the flood of the
Ikelemba retaining its dark colour, and spreading over a
breadth o f 3000 yards; the Livingstone’s pure whifey-grey
waters flow over a breadth o f about 5000 yards, in many
broad channels.”
CHAPTER II.
Mad ferocity of the savages of Irebu — Kindly solitudes—
Amina’s death— We must once more confront man— The
king o f Chumbiri; his hospitality; wives, possessions, and
cunning— The country and language o f Uyanzi— Pythons—
The Ibari Nkutu or the Kwango— Prevaricating guides—
“ The most plausible rogue of all Africa” — The Stanley Pool
— Chief Itsi of Ntamo— We have to give up our big goat
R iv e r ' observations.
(February 22—March 14, 1877.)
FROM the left batik we crossed to the right, on
the morning of the 22nd, and, clinging to the
wooded shores of Ubangi, had reached at noon
south latitude o° 5i' 13". Tw o hours later we
came to where the great river contracted to a
breadth of 3000 yards, flowing between two
low rocky points, both of which were populous,
well cultivated, and rich with banana plantations.
Below these points the river slowly
widened again, and islands well wooded, as
above river, rose into view, until by their
number they formed once more intricate channels
and winding creeks.
Desirous of testing the character of the natives,'
we pulled across to the left bank, until, meeting
with a'small party of fishermen, we were again