The Eastern Congo 



requiring sometimes gentle persuasion in the form of two or 

 three gallons of lubricating oil or a brand new sparking plug, 

 at other times a few pieces of sardine tin or binding with 

 native fibre were necessary, and then again on other occasions 

 nothing whatever would move it. This proved to be one 

 of the last-named occasions, so the rough native paddles 

 had to be produced, much to everyone's disgust, and with 

 these we got the boat along. Presently we hailed some 

 native canoes, one being sent back to Kisenji with a note to 

 the Commandant asking for the motor-barge to be sent out 

 to our assistance. In the meantime we paddled painfully 

 into Bobandana Mission Station. 



We were hospitably received by the Fathers and as far as 

 the circumstances would allow " made comfortable " for 

 the night, but as it passed uncomfortably for me, I was glad 

 to welcome the motor-barge early next morning. 



After loading up this with European potatoes for Busum- 

 bura, we took the Petrolette in tow and started off again. 



Shortly after coming out from Mbusi Bay we observed 

 a sunken volcano, its crater-edge just showing above water 

 in the form of a horse-shoe of bush-clad land enclosing a 

 fairy-like lagoon. It is an enchanting little island called 

 Chegera, and after entering its calm and unruffled waters 

 by the narrow entrance one finds oneself nearly surrounded 

 by a thin ring of greenery, sloping quickly to a reed-clad 

 shore, on the other side of which lie the blue waters of the lake 

 itself. Years ago the missionaries had put some pigs on this 

 lagoon-island, and their progeny were living there in a semi- 

 wild condition. I shot two of these pigs for our larder and 

 hoisting these aboard we set out for our return to Kisenji, 

 which we reached without further incident. 



90 



I 



