Homeward Bound 263 



had not waited for the usual style of landing, but had sprung 

 overboard pell-mell. 



After the vessel had been emptied of all goods and luggage, 

 the necessary repairs were begun. Not until sunset were we able 

 to continue our interrupted voyage. We did not regret the 

 halt, however, for dusk was just settling down in the virgin 

 forest and stillness reigned, uplifting our spirits in an atmo- 

 sphere of calm serenity. From behind the clouds the gleaming 

 disc of the moon emerged in all its silvery splendour and dis- 

 seminated that indescribable tropical charm over the surrounding 

 scenery which calls up such an unconquerable yearning in the 

 heart of a lover of nature. That feeling, which, in spite of all 

 dangers and hardships, always draws him again to the vast 

 mysterious territory of unexplored Africa. We sat mute on the 

 deck, deeply stirred by the fairy-like scene. 



After some hours a glimmer of light appeared in the far 



distance, then a second, then several. We were nearing our 



destination. Lying alongside the quay close to the outer wall 



of Basoko, we could discern the outlines of a large steamer. 



It was the Flandre, which was going to bear us dov/n the Congo. 



We approached at half-speed. Orders were given. "Stop her! 



Back her ! " and we made fast alongside. The officials of the 



station were waiting to greet us with the Commissaire general. 



Commandant van Vert, at their head. When, accompanied by 



him, we trod the wide streets of Basoko, we almost fancied we 



had returned to European civilisation again. And when later, 



for the first time for a twelvemonth, we lay in comfortable 



European beds and ran over the events of the past year in our 



minds, we were able to close our eyes in slumber with a feeling of 



perfect contentment. All troubles and dangers had been happily 



surmounted. The voyage in front of us on the Congo was only 



child's play. The work of the expedition was finished. 



« * * * • 



Basoko is one of the largest and most important stations 



on the Upper Congo. It is an old fortified encampment of 



Stanley's, which has played a considerable part in the history 



