The Boy Travellers on the Congo. Adventures of two youths in a journey with H. M. Stanley 'through the Dark Continent.' [A condensation, with fictitious adjuncts, of H. M. Stanley's 'Through the Dark Continent,' with copious extracts from the original.] By T. W. Knot ... Illustrated

Front matter

Frontispiece V1KW 0*S THE B1VEH CONGO THE BOY TRAVELLERS ON THE CONGO ADVENTURES OF TWO YOUTHS IN A JOURNEY WITH HENRY M. STANLEY "THROUGH THE DARK CONTINENT" By THOMAS W. KNOX, AUTHOR OF "THE BOY TRAVELLERS IN THE FAR EAST" "IN SOUTH AMERICA" AND "IN RUSSIA' "THE YOUNG NTMRODS" "THE VOYAGE OF THE 'VIVIAN'" ETC. 3Uustrate$> LONDON SAMPSON LOW, MARSTON, SEARLE, & RIVINGTON St. Jlunsttut's Wmst Fetter Lane, Fleet Street, E.O 1888 [All rights reserved.'} LONDON : PRINTED BY WILLIAM CLOWES AND SONS, LIMITED, STAUFOKD STREET AHD CHABIKG CROSS.

Preface

. As indicated on the title-page, "The Boy Travellers on the Congo " is condensed from that remarkable narrative, " Through the Dark Continent," by one of the most famous explorers that the century has produced. The origin of the present volume is sufficiently explained in the following letter : "London, January, 1887. " Mt dear Colonel Knox, — It is a gift to be able to write to interest boys, and no one who has read your several volumes in tho ' Boy Traveller ' series can doubt that you possess this gift to an eminent degree. While reading those interesting and valuable books of yours, I have regretted that they -were not issued in the time of my own youth, so that I might have enjoyed as a boy the treat of their perusal. Now, my publishers desire a condensation of my two volumes, ' Through the Dark Continent,' to be made for young folks, but I have neither the time, nor the experience in juvenile writing, for performing the work.

I suggest that you shall produce this volume, and assure you that it would delight me greatly to have you take your boys, who have followed you through so many lands, on the journey that I made from Zanzibar to the mouth of the Congo. " There is too much in my work in its present form for their mental digestion ; but, narrated in that chaste and forcible style which has proved so entertaining to them, they would certainly find the journey through Africa of exceeding interest when made in your company. By all means take Frank and Fred to the wilds of Africa ; let them sail the equatorial lakes, travel through Uganda, Unyoro, and other countries ruled by dark-skinned monarchs, descend the magnificent and perilous Congo, see the strange tribes and people of that wonderful land, and repeat the adventures and discoveries that made my journey so eventful.

Y'ou have my full permission, my dear friend, to use the material in any way you deem proper in adapting it to the requirements of the ' Boy Travellers.' " Sincerely yours, as always, Henry M. Stanley. "To Colonel Tiios. \V. Knox." The preparation of this book has been a double pleasure — first, to comply with the wishes of an old friend, and secondly, to carry PBEFACE. the boys and girls of the present day to the wonderful region that, until very recently, was practically unknown. I have the fullest confidence that they will greatly enjoy the journey across equatorial Africa from the eastern to the western sea, and eagerly peruse every line of Mr. Stanley's narrative of discovery and adventure. The portrait of Mr. Stanley is from a photograph taken early in 1886. The maps on the inside of the covers were specially drawn for this work, and the publishers, with their customary liberality, have allowed the use of wood-cuts selected from several volumes of African travel and exploration, in addition to those which originally appeared in " Through the Dark Continent."

In the hope that " The Boy Travellers on the Congo " will be as cordially received as were its predecessors in the series, the work is herewith submitted to press and public for perusal and comment. T. W. K. New York, May, 1887. CONTENTS.

Chapter I. Page

Crossing the Atlantic Ocean with Stanley—" Through the Dark Continent " — An Impromptu Geographical Society — Personal Appearance of Stanley — Comments upon him by Frank and Fred — How the Geographical Society was Organized — Reading Stanley's Book — Stanley's Departure from England for Zanzibar — Joint Enterprise of two Newspapers — Preparations for the Expedition — The "Lady Alice" — Barker and the Pococks — Zanzibar — Prince Barghash — Inhabitants of Zanzibar — The Wangwana . . . . . , . . . . . . . . . 1

Chapter II

Transportation in Africa — Men as Beasts of Burden — Porters, and their Peculiarities — Engaging Men for the Expedition — A " Shauri " — Troubles with the "Lady Alice " — Agreement between Stanley and his Men — Departure from Zanzibar — Bagamoyo — The Universities Mission — Departure of the Expedition — Difficulties with the Porters — Sufferings on the March— .Native Suspension Bridges — Shooting a Zebra — Losses by Desertion

Chapter III

Retarded by Rains and other Mishaps — General Despondency — Death of Edward Pocock — A Change fur the Better — A Land of Plenty — Arrival at Victoria Lake — Native Song — Afloat on the Great Lake — Terrible Tales of the Inhabitants — Encounters with the Natives — The Victoria Nile — Ripon Falls — Speke's Explorations — The Alexandra Nile— Arrival at King Mtesa's Court — A Magnificent Reception — In the Monarch's Presence — Stanley's First Opinions of Mtesa . . . . 34

Chapter IV

Personal Appearance of King Mtesa — His Reception of Mr. Stanley — A Naval Review — Stanley's Marksmanship — The King's Palace — Rubaga, the King's Capital — Reception at the Balace — Meeting Colonel Linant de Bellefonds — Converting Mtesa to Christianity — Appeal for Missionaries to be sent to Mtesa — Departure for Usukuma — Fight with the Natives at Bumbireh Island — Sufferings of Stanley and his Companions on Lake Victoria — A Narrow Escape — Return to Kagehyi — Death of Fred Barker — Embarking the Expedition — King Lukongeh and his People VI CONTENTS* PAGE 80 99 120

Chapter V

Departure for Refuge Island — Arrival in Uganda — Mtesa at War — Stanley Joins him at Ripon Falls — A Naval Battle on an African Lake — The Waganda Repulsed — Capture of a Wavuma Chief— Stanley Saves the Chief's Life — How. Stanley Drought the War to an End — His Wonderful Machine for Destroying the Wavuma — Retirement of the Army — Stanley's Return to his Camp — Expedition to Muta Nzege — How it Failed — The Expedition Marches Southward — In King Rumanika's Country — Arab Traders in Africa — Hamed Ibrahim — Kafurro and Lake Windermere — Interviews with King Rumanika — Exploring Lake Windermere — An Unhappy Night — Ihema Island ..

Chapter VI

Stanley tells about King Rumanika — The Karagwe Geographical Society — The King's Treasure-house — Good-bye to his Majesty — Hostility between Elephant and Rhinoceros — Plundered in Usui — The Sources of the Alexandra Nile — Retrospection — Questions of Topography — Insolence of Mankorongo — Death of " Bull " — Troubles with the Petty Kings — Interview with the Famous Mirambo — General Appearance of the Renowned African — An Imposing Ceremony — Blood-brotherhood — How Grant's Caravan was Plundered — Myonga's Threats — A Compromise — Among the Watuta — In Sight of Lake Tanganika — Arrival at Ujiji

Chapter VII

Mr. Stanley Takes the Chair — Description of Ujiji — The Arab and other Inhabitants — Market Scenes — Local Currency — The Wajiji — Lake Tanganika — Stanley's Voyage on the Lake — Rising of the Waters — The Legend of the Well — How the Lake was Formed — Departure of the Expedition— Scenery of the Coast — Mountains where the Spirits Dwell — Seeking the Outlet of the Lake — The Lukuga River — Experiments to find a Current — Curious Head-dresses — Return to XJjiji — Length and Extent of Lake Tanganika . . .. .. ..

Chapter VIII

Stanley Continues the Beading— Bad News at Ujiji— Small-pox and its Ravages— Desertions by Wholesale— Departure of the Expedition- Crossing Lake Tanganika— Travellers' Troubles— Terrifying Humours —People West of the Lake— Singular Head-dresses— Cannibalism- Description of an African Village— Appearance of the Inhabitants— In Manyema— Story about Livingstone — Manyema Houses— Donkeys as Curiosities— Kitete and his Beard— The Luama and the Lualaba— On the Banks of the Livingstone .. .. .. ., i±q

Chapter IX

, Difficulties of Livingstone and Cameron with their Followers— Personal Appearance of Tippu-Tib— Negotiations for an Escort— Tippu-Tib Arranges to go with Stanley— The Wonders of Uregga— Gorillas and Boa-constrictors— Their Remarkable Performances— A Nation of Dwarfs —How Stanley Decided what Route to Follow— Heads or Tails ?— " Shall it be South or North ? "—Signing the Contract with Tippu-Tib— CONTENTS. VII FAGE 160 172 190 A Remarkable Accident — Entering Nyangwe" — Location and Import ance of the Place — Its Arab Residents— Market Scenes at Nyangwe — Ready for the Start

Chapter X

Departure from Nyangwe — The Dark Unknown — In the Primeval Forest — An African W ilderness — Savage Furniture — Tippu-Tib's Dependants — A Toilsome March — The Dense Jungle — A Demoralized Column — African Weapons — A Village Blacksmith — Skulls of Sokos — Stanley's Last Pair of Shoes — Snakes in the Way — The Terrible Undergrowth — Natives of Uregga and their Characteristics — Skulls as Street Ornaments — Among the Cannibals — On the River's Bank — A Sudden Inspiration — The True Road to the Sea — Tippu-Tib's Discouragements — Encountering the Natives — Successful Negotiations — The Expedition Ferried over the River — Camping in the Wenya

Chapter XI

How Stanley obtained Canoes — The People of Ukusu— Their Hostility — A Fight and Terms of Peace — Separation from Tippu-Tib — Departure "towards the Unknown" — A Sad Farewell — Among the Vinya-Nara — The Natives at Stanley Falls — A Fierce Battle — Defending a Stockade — Boats Capsized in a Tempest and Men Drowned— Beginning of the New Year — A Battle on the Water — Monster Canoes — Among the Mwana Ntaba — The Natives are Defeated — First Cataract of Stanley Falls — Camped in a Fortification

Chapter XII

Attacked by the Combined Forces of the Mwana Ntaba and Baswa Tribes — They are Repulsed — Exploring the First Cataract— Carrying and Dragging the Boats through the Forest and around the Falls — An Island Camp — Native Weapons and Utensils — Another Battle — How Zaidi was Saved from a Perilous Position — Caught in a Net — How the Net was Broken — Fishes in the Great River — How the other Cataracts were Passed — Afloat on Smooth Water — A Hostile Village — Another Battle — Attacked by a Large Flotilla — A Monster Boat — A Temple of Ivory — No Market for Elephants' Tusks — Evidences of Cannibalism — Friendly Natives of Rubunga — Portuguese Muskets in the Hands of the Natives .. .. .. .. .. •• .• .. 203

Chapter XIII

In Uran-n — A Noisy Reception — Wonderful Head-dresses — A Treacherous Attack — Animal Life along the River — Birds and Beasts of the Great Stream — A Battle with the Bangala — Fire-arms in the Hands of the Natives — The Savages, although in Superior Numbers, are Repulsed — Hi<***h Winds and Storms — Effect of the Climate on Mr. Stanley's Health A Great Tributary River — Friendly People of Ikengo — Provisions in Abundance — Islands in the River — Death of Amina — A Mournful Scerie The Levy Hills — Hippopotamus Creek — Bolobo — The King of Chumbiri — A Crafty Potentate — His Dress, Pipe, Wives, and Sons — Inconvenient Collars — Curious Customs . . .. .. .. .. CONTENTS. VIII PAGE 250

Chapter XIV

Treachery of the King's Sons— The Greatest Rascal of Africa — A Python in Camp — Stanley Pool— Dover Cliffs— Mankoneh — First Sound of the Falls — Bargaining for Food — Loss of the Big Goat — Exchanging Charms — Fall of the Conao from Nyangwe to Stanley Pool — Going around the Great Fall — Dragging the Boats Overland — Gordon-Bennett River — "The Caldron" — Loss of the "London Town" — Poor Kalulu — His Death in the River — Lo.-s of Men by Drowning — Sad Scenes in Camp 234

Chapter XV

The Friendly Bateke — Great Snakes — Soudi's Strange Adventures — Captured by Hostile Natives — Descending Rapids and Falls — Loss of a Canoe — "Whirlpool Rapids" — The "Lady Alice" in Peril — Gavubu's Cove — "'Lady Alice" Rapids — A Perilous Descent — Alarm of Stanley's People — Tributary Streams — Panic among the Canoe-men — Native Villages — Inkisi Falls — Tuckey's Cataract — A Road over a Mountain — Among the Babwende — African Markets- — Trading among the Tribes ■ — Shoeless Travellers — Experiments in Cooking, — Limited Stock of Provisions — Central African Ants — " Jiggas " — Dangers of Unprotected Feet

Chapter XVI

A Disappointment — Not Tuckey's Furthest — Building New Canoes — The "Livingstone," " Stanley," and "Jason" — Falls below Inkisi — Frank Pocock Drowned — Stanley's Grief — " In Memoriam " — Mutiny in Camp — How it was Quelled — Loss of the " Livingstone " — The Chief Carpenter Drowned — Isangila Cataract — Tuckey's Second Sangalla — Abandoning the Boats — Overland to Boma — The Expedition Starving — A Letter Asking Help — Volunteer Couriers — Delays at Starting — Vain Efforts to Buy Food — A Dreary March — Sufferings of Stanley's People — The Leader's Anxiety .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 262

Chapter XVII

The Weary March Resumed — Return of the Messengers — Arrival of Relief — Scene in Camp — Distribution of Provisions — The Song of Joy — A Welcome Letter — "Enough Now: Fall to" — PersonarLuxuries for the Leader — " Pale Ale ! Sherry ! Port Wine ! Champagne ! Tea ! Coffee! "White * Sugar ! Wheaten Bread ! "—Stanley's Reply to the Generous Strangers — Summary Punishment for Theft — Greeting Civilization— Reception by White Men — The Freedom of Boma — Lifted into the Hammock— Characteristics of Boma— A Banquet and Farewell — Ponta da Lenha— Out on the Ocean — Adieu to the Congo .. .. 275

Chapter XVIII

Arrival at Kabinda — West African Merchants — Death among the Wangwana— Illness among the People of the Expedition— Stanfey's Anxiety for his Followers— Their Failing Health — Encouraging them with Words and Kind Treatment— The Bane of Idleness— Leaving Kabinda —San Paulo de Loanda — Kindness of the Portuguese Officials — H. B. Majesty's Ship "Industry " — Carried to the Cape of Good Hope — The CONTENTS. IX PAGE 287 300 344 Wangwana See a "Fire-carriage" — To Natal and Zanzibar — Reception — Disbanding the Expedition — Affecting Scenes — Stanley's Tribute to his FoUowers

Chapter XIX

The Last Meeting on Board the "Eider"— Founding the Free State of Congo — Mr. Stanley's Later Work on the Great River — Building Roads and Establishing Stations — Making Peace with the Natives — Bula Matari — Resources of the Congo Valley — Stanley's Latest Book — Steamers on the River — The Congo Railway — Stanley's Present Mission in Africa — Emin Pasha and his Work — How Stanley Proposes to Relieve him — Dr. Schnitzler — Bey or Pasha? — Mwanga, King of Uganda — His Hostility to White Men — Killing Bishop Hannington — The Egyptian Equatorial Province — Letter from Stanley — His Plans for the Relief Expedition— Tippu-Tib and his Men— From Zanzibar to the Congo

Chapter XX

More African Studies — Masai Land — Early History of the Mombasa Coast — Mount Kilimanjaro — Its Discoverers and Explorers — Rebmann's Umbrella — Thomson's Expedition and its Object — Frere Town and Mombasa — Journey to Masai Land— Hostility of the Natives— Narrow Escapes — Masai Warriors and their Occupations — Manners and Customs of the People — Thomson as a Magician — Johnston's Kilimanjaro Expedition — Height and Peculiarities of the Great Mountain — Mandara and his Court — Slave-trading — Masai Women— Surrounded by Liens — Bishop Hannington— Story of his Death in Uganda 322