Chapter II: 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:

"EVERETT HOUSE, NEW YORK, _December_ 1, 1886.

"MY 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 the
'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, the Harpers 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
a volume for your series of 'Boy Travellers,' 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. You 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 THOS. W. 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 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.

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. Page 13

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. 32

CHAPTER III.

RETARDED BY RAINS AND OTHER MISHAPS.--GENERAL DESPONDENCY.--DEATH
OF EDWARD POCOCK.--A CHANGE FOR 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. 53

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
PALACE.--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. 76

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 BROUGHT 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. 102

CHAPTER VI.

STANLEY TELLS ABOUT KING RUMANIKA.--THE KARAGWÉ 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. 124

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 UJIJI.--LENGTH AND EXTENT OF LAKE
TANGANIKA. 152

CHAPTER VIII.

STANLEY CONTINUES THE READING.--BAD NEWS AT UJIJI.--SMALL-POX
AND ITS RAVAGES.--DESERTIONS BY WHOLESALE.--DEPARTURE OF THE
EXPEDITION.--CROSSING LAKE TANGANIKA.--TRAVELLERS' TROUBLES.--
TERRIFYING RUMORS.--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.--
KITETÉ AND HIS BEARD.--THE LUAMA AND THE LUALABA.--ON THE BANKS
OF THE LIVINGSTONE. 174

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.--A
REMARKABLE ACCIDENT.--ENTERING NYANGWÉ.--LOCATION AND
IMPORTANCE OF THE PLACE.--ITS ARAB RESIDENTS.--MARKET SCENES
AT NYANGWÉ.--READY FOR THE START. 201

CHAPTER X.

DEPARTURE FROM NYANGWÉ.--THE DARK UNKNOWN.--IN THE PRIMEVAL
FOREST.--AN AFRICAN WILDERNESS.--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. 221

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. 243

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. 259

CHAPTER XIII.

IN URANGI.--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.--HIGH 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 SCENE.--THE
LEVY HILLS.--HIPPOPOTAMUS CREEK.--BOLOBO.--THE KING OF
CHUMBIRI.--A CRAFTY POTENTATE.--HIS DRESS, PIPE, WIVES, AND
SONS.--INCONVENIENT COLLARS.--CURIOUS CUSTOMS. 277

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 CONGO FROM NYANGWÉ TO
STANLEY POOL.--GOING AROUND THE GREAT FALL.--DRAGGING THE BOATS
OVERLAND.--GORDON-BENNET RIVER.--"THE CALDRON."--LOSS OF THE
"LONDON TOWN."--POOR KALULU.--HIS DEATH IN THE RIVER.--LOSS OF
MEN BY DROWNING.--SAD SCENES IN CAMP. 300

CHAPTER XV.

THE FRIENDLY BATEKÉ.--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 BABWENDÉ.--AFRICAN MARKETS.--
TRADING AMONG THE TRIBES.--SHOELESS TRAVELLERS.--EXPERIMENTS IN
COOKING.--LIMITED STOCK OF PROVISIONS.--CENTRAL AFRICAN ANTS.--
"JIGGAS."--DANGERS OF UNPROTECTED FEET. 317

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. 335

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."--PERSONAL
LUXURIES 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. 351

CHAPTER XVIII.

ARRIVAL AT KABINDA.--WEST AFRICAN MERCHANTS.--DEATH AMONG THE
WANGWANA.--ILLNESS AMONG THE PEOPLE OF THE EXPEDITION.--STANLEY'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 WANGWANA SEE A "FIRE-CARRIAGE."--TO NATAL AND
ZANZIBAR.--RECEPTION.--DISBANDING THE EXPEDITION.--AFFECTING
SCENES.--STANLEY'S TRIBUTE TO HIS FOLLOWERS. 365

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. 381

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 LIONS.--BISHOP HANNINGTON.--STORY OF HIS
DEATH IN UGANDA. 410