36o STANLEY'S GREAT CONGO EXPEDITION 



treaties, insuring his people safe and permanent dwelling among them, 

 and stipulated for a civilized method of conducting commerce, and the 

 sovereignty of the powers of umpire in all matters of doubt or diffi- 

 culty. 



He then set his men to build a strong house, which was plentifully 

 stored with provisions, tools, ammunition, cloth, beads, cowries, etc. ; 

 and gave the charge of the station to a Scotchman named Binnie, — a 

 man of small physique, but with a lion's heart, — entrusting thirty-one 

 armed men to his command. On the loth of December, 1883, Stanley 

 turned his back upon the falls, and began to descend the river. The 

 little Scotchman was alone in the heart of Africa ! It should be added 

 here that he behaved splendidly, and in a very short time won the 

 afifection, as well as the respect, of the neighboring tribes. 



Stanley's work was almost done. From point to point, along the 

 river, he had placed stations, and obtained treaties which gave the 

 Association sovereign rights. When the success of these stations had 

 encouraged the natives, little difficulty would be experienced in filling 

 up the gaps. The pioneering was accomplished, the seeds of federation 

 were sown ; and time, and time only, could combine the scattered links, 

 and weld them into an unbroke,/ chain. All the Congo tribes knew 

 and honored "Bula Matari;" and nearly all had covenanted with him 

 to keep the peace and advance his aims. The whole region had been 

 touched by a master's hand, and quickened into vitality. The tribes 

 of the Congo were ready for the final step — the confederation of their 

 units into an undivided whole, ready for agglomeration into one great 

 state. 



On August 3, 1884, Stanley arrived at Ostend on his return, and 

 presented' his report to the King of the Belgians. From the work he 

 had done has arisen the great Congo Free State, occupying much of 

 the heart of Africa. 



