84 START FOR THE INTERIOR. Chap. IV. 



struggled and quarrelled over their loads — the 

 strongest anxious to carry the lightest burdens, 

 and loading the youngest with the heaviest ; and, 

 when the provisions lor the journey had to be di- 

 vided, there was a perfect scramble lor the lots, the 

 biggest and strongest getting the lion's share. The 

 presence of two of King Olenda's nephews, Arangui 

 and Mpoto, who were sent to command the unruly 

 body, was of no avail. 



The otaitai, or porter's basket, as manufactured by 

 these Africans, is an ingenious contrivance for the 

 carriage of loads in safety on the back. It is long 

 and narrow, being formed of a piece of strong cane- 

 work (serving as the bottom) two and a half feet in 

 length and nine inches in width, with sides of more 

 open cane-work, capable of being expanded or drawn 

 in, so as to admit of a larger or smaller load. Cords 

 of bast are attached to the sides for the purpose of 

 making fiTst the contents, and the bottom of the 

 basket is closed in by a continuation of the sides, 

 leaving the top-end (the part nearest the head when 

 carried on the back) open, so as to allow of the aug- 

 mentation of the load at the top. Straps made of 

 strong plaited rushes secure the basket to the head 

 and ai'ms of the carrier. The wicker-work is made of 

 strips of a very tough climbing plant, or rotaug, and 

 is always a neat specimen of workmanship. 



The first party started on the 8th, going up the 

 Ofoubou river, a southern affluent of the Ovenga, in 

 canoes, to the landing-place on the Olenda road. 

 "We had about this time several heavy showers, and 

 the Ovenga rose so much that I was obliged tw^ice 



