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CHAPTER V. 



VISIT TO THE SAMBA NAGOSHI FALI-S. 



King Olenda, his great age — Preparations for the journey to the Falls — We 

 cross the Ovigui — Opangano Prairie — Ndgewho Mountains — Bakalai 

 Village— A flock of Gorillas in the Forest — The Louvendji Eiver — 

 Dihaou and the Ashira-Kamhas — Navigate the Ngouyai Eiver — The 

 Aviia Tribe — Village of Maudji — Piiver Scenery — Nkoumou Nabouali 

 Mountains — Nami Gemba — Village of Luba — The Spirit of the Falls — 

 Village Deity — AiTival at Fougamou, the principal Fall — Legend of 

 Fougamou — Night Encampment — Eeturn to Dihaou — We sup on a 

 poisonous serpent — Forced March through flooded forest to Olenda. 



My old friend, King Olenda, gave me a warm wel- 

 come. He bad changed but little since I saw bim 

 last. His age must bave been very great ; bis cheeks 

 were sunken, his legs and arms excessively, thin and 

 bony, and covered with wrinkled skin. He seemed 

 to have hardly strength enough to support his own 

 weight. The negroes say he has a powerful fetich 

 to guard him against death. I believe he was the 

 oldest man I ever saw, and to me he was quite a 

 curiosity. Olenda came constantly to see me during 

 the few days I remained in his village. He was 

 never tired of telling me that he loved me like a 

 sweetheart ; but, when I called him to give him his 

 present, he became rather too exacting. I said to 

 bim, " I thought you only loved me as a sweetheart, 

 but I am afraid you love me for my goods." " Oh, 



