276 ACROSS AFRICA. [Chap. 



CHAPTEE XXI. 



Tipo-tipo's Camp. — Kasongo Visits us in State. — The Ceremoii}-. — Kasongo's Ready 

 Assistance. — I become a Gun-smith, Bone-setter, and Soap-boiler. — Kasongo at 

 Home. — Sankorra Traders. — Am forbidden to proceed. — Reasons for not using 

 Force. — I take Another Route. — Warua Guides. — Export of Slaves from Man- 

 yuema. — Their Disposal. — Cause of Increase of Slave-holding. — Ants as a Deli- 

 cacy. — Mode of trapping Them. — ^A Lazy Leader. — Kifuma Hospitality. — ^A De- 

 sirable Residence. — Carved Door-posts. — A Rifle is stolen. — Fear of Conse- 

 quences. — Thankfulness and Gratitude. — Leaving my " Guide " to his own De- 

 vices. — I strike out a New Course. — My Men will not follow. — I will not re- 

 turn. — Their Scruples are overcome. — Attack on the Caravan. — Fists versus 

 Archery. — Peace. — Kasenge. — Hundreds fliock to see me feed. — Kwarumba. 



September, Tipo-Tipo's camp was well arranged, and sitnated on a slight 

 1874. eminence ; but not being a really permanent settlement, no 

 large houses had been built, although Tipo-tipo and the other 

 traders had good huts. They provided me with a very com- 

 fortable one, having two small apartments and a bath-room, be- 

 sides sheds for my servants, and cooking arrangements. 



Before making preparations for crossing the Lomami, we had 

 to receive a visit from Kasongo, the chief of the district, which 

 took place two days after our arrival. At eight o'clock on that 

 morning, Tipo-tipo, myself, and every leading man of his and 

 the Nyangwe parties, arra3'ed ourselves in our best — although I 

 confess mine was not much of a turn-out — and assembled in an 

 open shed, which was the general meeting-place of the settle- 

 ment during the day, and often far into the night. 



An individual authorized by the chief to do duty as master 

 of the ceremonies then arrived, carrying a long carved walking- 

 stick as a badge of office, his advent being the signal for all 

 porters and slaves in camp and people from surrounding vil- 

 lages to crowd round to witness the spectacle. The master of 

 ceremonies drove the anxious sight-seers back, and formed a 

 space near the reception-room — as the hut may be termed — and 

 then different sub-chiefs arrived, each followed by spearmen 



