Through the Semliki Valley i97 



endeavours to incite a peaceful people to disobedience, they de- 

 prive the country of a considerable number of carriers and 

 labourers. 



A broad caravan road connects Beni with the Mawambi 

 station, on the Aruwimi, and opens into the Irumu-Stanleyville 

 highway (on the Congo). This direct communication with the 

 greatest waterway of Central Africa lends considerable import- 

 ance to the settlements. The commercial traffic is extremely 

 limited here, as is the case all over the Congo State, on account 

 of the difficult conditions prevailing. Naturally, many traders, 

 mainly Indians, take advantage of the neighbouring forest, with 

 its immense tracts and inadequate control, for smuggling 

 purposes. 



Beni is strongly garrisoned. During our visit the soldiers 

 were most zealously drilled. At six o'clock in the morning the 

 signal for parade resounded in the quiet air. Not only did the 

 company itself respond to the call for daily duty, but also all 

 the male and female hands on the station, about two hundred in 

 number. Whilst the troops started their duties, the Chef de foste 

 allotted to the labourers their daily tasks. Strict discipline was 

 exercised at the muster. The presence of every individual was 

 carefully checked when his name was called. Absence without 

 excuse was punished, but this occurred very seldom. At eight 

 o'clock the soldiers rested, whilst the Europeans assembled for 

 breakfast. This meal was suited to African conditions, and 

 consisted of coffee or tea, bread and butter, cold meat, fruit 

 and cheese. 



After breakfast was over, the military exercises, which I often 

 attended, were continued till about ii o'clock, when there was a 

 noon-time interval. At i o'clock dinner was announced by two 

 calls, and an hour later the signal for the afternoon muster was 

 sounded, when the troops and the whole of the workers resumed 

 duty. The afternoon's work finished at 4 o'clock. Very often 

 there was a third muster in the evening, at which the people 

 turned up in any rig they fancied, but generally with the charac- 

 teristic Congo straw hat on their heads. Clothes, shoes, etc., 



