528 THE WORLD'S WONDERS. 



proud. He sat on a dirty sofa for a throne, and held his spear 

 in his hand as a sceptre. 



The following day he returned the white man's visit, being 

 borne in a hammock on the shoulders of his officers. At first 

 Du Chaillu thought he was drunk, but was presently informed 

 that his left arm and leg were paralyzed, so that he could not 

 walk. His wives surrounded him, and Du Chaillu soon perceived 

 that they were all drunk. While he and the king were talking 

 one of the women was slyly kicking nim on the shins and wink- 

 ing at him, which made Du Chaillu extremely- nervous, as he feared 

 KingBango might notice her actions and have his jealousy aroused. 



The succeeding night a grand ball was given by the king in 

 Du Chaillu's honor. Shortly after dark about one hundred and 

 fifty of Bango's wives assembled, many of whom were accounted 

 the best dancers in the country. A stiff drink of rum was given 

 to each woman, and then the singing and dancing commenced, 

 the women only taking part in the latter. This dance is inde- 

 scribable. Any one who has seen a Spanish fandango, and can 

 imagine its wild movements tenfold exaggerated, will have some 

 faint conceptions of the postures of these black women. The 

 ball went on for about two hours, when, the rum having been 

 in the meanwhile freely distributed, the assembly became so 

 uproarious that Du Chaillu attempted to retire, but the king would 

 not suffer it. He and all his people seemed to enjoy the fun 

 amazingly. But as the revelry grew madder and madder all the 

 time, Du Chaillu at length slipped out and went to bed. 



TOSSED BY A BUFFALO. 



Du CHAILLU returned to Cape Lopez again from Sangatanga, 

 and taking a vessel went to the Gaboon river, which is nearly ten 

 miles wide at its mouth. He here secured a schooner, the Caro- 

 line, and loaded her with provisions sufficient to last his party 

 twenty months. They found the river navigable for a distance 

 of one hundred miles, while along its banks were numerous vil- 

 lages and much game. At Rampano village Du Chaillu went on 

 shore and established a camp, being assured that hunting in the 

 neighborhood was exceptionally fine. 



