CHAPTER XXXIII 



EXPLORATION OF THE KIBALI 



It was with a heavy heart that I left Niangara on June 15, 

 for henceforward I was to take my way alone. The only 

 thought that was in my mind at that time was how it was all 

 going to end. Fate with terrible suddenness had once more 

 demanded a heavy toll, and for that very reason I was more 

 than ever ■ determined to complete the work we had set 

 ourselves and reach the Nile by the least-known route. 



Between Niangara and Dungu the Welle is seldom used 

 by the Belgians for navigation, and communication is kept 

 up by a good road that runs along the left bank. 



About fifteen miles from Niangara we reached a small 

 Mangbettu village at the foot of the Dima Rapids, where we 

 stopped for the night. The river which has a width of 180 

 yards up to this point could not have been better. All the 

 next day was occupied in unloading the boats and getting 

 them up the rapids. After this there are stretches of water 

 separated by small rapids. A journey of forty miles brought 

 us to the Angba Rapids which are if anj^hing worse than 

 the Dima ; the bad water stretches for three-quarters of a 

 mile, and it took us one and a half hours to haul the boats up. 



After leaving Angba and before reaching Dungu, I 

 made one more camp close to the hill Peramba which is 

 about three-quarters of a mile in length and Ues at right 



