and then takes another ship back
to London. She will not wait at Boma for me, at least, I hope not and
cannot imagine her doing so. In any event, after I start, there will
be no way for us to communicate, and I will act on the understanding
that she has started North.

I have two very good boys and both speak English, and are from Sierra
Leone. I take a two-day trip of 200 miles by rail, then four days by
boat up the Kasai and then I may come back by boat or walk. It depends
on how I like it, how long I stay, for I can hope to see very little,
as under a year it would be impossible to write with authority of this
country. But I'll see more of it than some at home, and I'll hear what
those who have lived here for years have to say. It is awfully
interesting, absolutely different and more uncivilized than anything I
ever saw. But all the time you are depressed with how little you know
and can know of it. I will be here six weeks or two months and then
should get up the coast to London about the middle of May or sooner.

DICK.

From diary of February 22nd, 1907.

Spent about the worst night of my life. No mattress, no pillow. Not
space enough for my own cot. Every insect in the world ate me. After
a bath and coffee felt better. It rained heavily until three P. M.
Read Pendennis, and loved it. The picture of life at Clavering and
Fairoaks, and Dr. Portman and Foker are wonderful. I do not know when
I have enjoyed and admired a work so much. For some reason it is all
entirely new again. I will read them all now in turn. After rain
cleared took my slaves and went after "supplies." Met a King. I
thought he was a witch doctor, and the boys said he was a dancing man.
All his suite, wives and subjects followed, singing a song that made
your flesh creep. At Hatton and Cookson's bought "plenty chop" for
"boys" who were much pleased. Also a sparklet bottle, some whiskey and
two pints of champagne at 7 francs the pint. Blush to own it was demi
Sec. Also bacon, jam, milk, envelopes, a pillow. Saw some ivory State
had seized and returned. 15 Kilo's. Some taken from Gomez across
street not returned until he gave up half. No reason given Taylor
agent H. & C. why returned Apparently when called will come down on the
ivory question. Cuthbert Malet, coffee planter, came call on me. Only
Englishman still in Service State. Had much to say which did not want
printed until he out of country which will be in