412 



ACROSS AFRICA. 



[Chap. 



November, 

 1875. 



lage was over a sinootli sheet of granite, and then, passing 

 through two or three palisades, we were conducted into a small 

 division containing four huts, which we were invited to make 

 use of. 



The huts clustered about the rocks in a most extraordinary 

 manner, advantage being taken of every shelf and projection 

 capable of being built upon. Thus a next-door neighbor was 

 generally either almost above your head or below youi* feet. 

 Trees of fair proportions grew out of the crevices, tobacco was 

 planted close to the huts, and the palisades were covered witli 

 flowering creepers. 



KAMBALA. 



Some of Kongo's principal counselors welcomed us on arriv- 

 al, but the task of entertaining us fell chiefly upon the shoul- 

 ders of the wife of the prime minister, he being absent on im- 

 portant duty. Our hostess brought a large supply of porridge 

 and dried locusts for my people, and several inhabitants paid us 

 visits, each bringing with him a pot of pombe. 



My anxiety was to gain an early audience with King Kongo, 

 and also to settle upon a suitable present. I had brought a rifle 

 for him, but his people wisely preferred an old flint-lock carried 

 by Manoel, for which I gave him the Snider. It was arranged 

 by the court oflicials that I should see the king the following 

 day, but I managed to overrule this delay, and our interview 

 was then appointed to take place in the afternoon. 



