90 A JOURNEY UP THE RIVER CONGO. 
views just at present. The native chief rules over a great 
number of subjects, and can easily part with one or two 
if “ squared,” and the white man stands greatly in need of — 
black servants—not independent freemen like Kruboys 
or Kabindas, that will leave him to return to their own 
country just as they are getting to know his ways; but a 
submissive slave that has no choice but to follow his 
MANGROVE ROOTS AT BANANA. 
master everywhere and remain with him always, knowing 
well what he may expect if he runs away—and is caught. 
Slavery certainly exists on the Lower Congo, as much as 
it ever did;* the only difference is that it is internal, so 
to speak, and that owing to the vigilance of British 
* This, of course, was written in 1883, and before the establish- 
ment of the Congo Free State. I let it stand as a picture of what 
Was. 
