464 THE WORLD'S WONDERS. 



drowned ; but other canoes were secured without serious delay. 

 Stanley stopped at Bumbireh island for provisions ; this is the 

 place where he so narrowly escaped death on his return from 

 Uganda ; but his force was now strong enough for defensive 

 purposes, and he felt secure. On the evening of July 22d several 

 natives appeared in canoes, but seeing they were likely to meet a 

 dangerous foe, should an attack be made, they tried to hold a 

 parley, at which they insolently declared that, although they 

 would bring some food, their king was brave and powerful, and 

 was disposed to fight the white man. 



The following morning another canoe, containing fifteen men, 

 approached in a bold, defiant manner. Stanley asked their crew 

 if they brought food for sale. They replied, "No ; but you will 

 get food in plenty by and by." After taking a searching look at 

 the camp they turned away, giving expression to their contempt 

 by a method which obtains all round the Uvuma, Uganda, Uzon- 

 gora, and Wakerewe coasts, viz., by throwing up water behind 

 them in the air with their paddles, which is as well understood as 

 the American youth's gesture of placing a thumb to his nose. 



Stanley was kept in close quarters for several days, during 

 which time Magassa, who had been sent by Mtesa to search for 

 him, came to the island with 300 men. These recruits were of 

 great service to Stanley, who was almost at the mercy of 3,000 

 natives, for they held a passage which he was compelled to go 

 through to reach Uganda. Mustering his force, which now 

 numbered 300 men, all told, he started again. At the narrow 

 part of the passage-way thousands of natives rushed down with 

 spears, bows and slings, and in defiant tones hailed the white 

 man. As the canoes came near the shore, arrows, stones and 

 spears began to fly, in answer to which Stanley opened a brisk 

 fire with his guns, that fairly mowed the fierce Bumbirehans with 

 swaths of flame, and put them to route so completely that they 

 gave him no further trouble. 



WAR IN AFRICA. 



THE expedition reached Mtesa's on the 23d of August, and 

 the king received Stanley in his council chamber with great 



