ally very slow and the enemy difficult to catch, while
the chance of being hit by a poisoned arrow or a lance hurled from
behind a tree is always present. The soldier however, is very plucky and
well earns his twenty-one cents each day, and the one franc twenty-five
cents a month which is reserved for him.

[Illustration: THE ITIMBIRI RIVER.]

Next day I visit the Catholic Mission of Ibembo and am received by
Father Benin who is in charge in the absence of Mgr. Derikx. The Mission
is situated on a plateau about 200 feet high on the opposite bank to the
Post, but a little lower down the stream and the whole place is
admirably arranged, the view across the river being especially
beautiful. Three hundred natives, mostly children, are engaged in the
plantations and gardens all being dressed in a pretty uniform and
appearing healthy and happy. There is indeed, very little sickness
here, for the buildings and grounds are as scrupulously clean as those
of a State Post. In a well-fitted carpenter's shop the entire furniture
for the chapel and houses has been made from the wood of old canoes
which is hard and well-seasoned. The boys also work in ivory, turning
serviette rings with great accuracy and skill. Four or five brethren and
five sisters form the staff of the Mission and one of the latter
superintends the cooking with most happy results.

Next day I walk through the native villages near Ibembo where most of
the men fish and the women make pots of clay. There are a great number
of children about and very little sickness. Sunday as usual was market
day and the people from the neighbourhood brought in kwanga, fish, eggs,
chicken and three antelopes. Food is sold for mitakos three of which
will purchase enough kwanga to feed a man and woman for a day. In the
afternoon a Chief arrives with the not unusual story that a troup of
elephants have entered and destroyed his plantation of manioc. We
arrange therefore to start at 4 a.m. next morning on the chance that
they will repeat their visit, but a heavy tornado in the night renders
hunting impossible. After spending a pleasant week at Ibembo, I prepare
to descend the river to Bumba and then to ascend the Congo to Stanley
Falls.

[Illustration: BASOKO FROM THE RIVER.].

CHAPTER IX.

Ibembo to Stanley Falls.

The _Delivrance_ a steamer built on the same lines as the _Florida_
arrives at Ibembo on December 5th with a large cargo of cloth, clothes,
beads, salt and ot