34 A JOURNEY UP THE RIVER CONGO. 
strong rush of water was difficult to stem, put into a little — 
creek—Belgique Creek as it is still called—and here we 
landed, and walked through moist woods and dank ravines 
to Vivi, the last part of the way being an arduous ascent 
along a red clayey road. As we neared the station, 
increasing numbers of people were seen, till, arriving in 
the centre of the great oblong space round which the 
houses stand, it was like assisting at some huge African 
fair. Two hundred and eighty Zanzibaris had arrived the — 
day before, in addition to those that were already at the 
station, and then there were “ Kruboys,” “ Kabindas,” and 
many of the natives from the vicinity ; for, in addition to 
the already numerous arrivals, several important chiefs 
with their crowds of followers had come to hold a palaver 
of honour, a sort of afternoon call, on “ Bula Matadi,” * to 
welcome him back to his work on the Congo. Here he 
was, seated on his camp-chair, his pipe in his mouth, and 
a semicircle of grinning kinglets squatting in front of him, 
some of them smoking long-stemmed, little-bowled pipes | 
in complacent silence, and others putting many questions 
to “ Bula Matadi” as to his recent journey to Europe—to 
“ Mpiito,” the land beyond the sea, as they call it—and 
receiving his replies with expressions of incredulous 
wonder, tapping their open mouths with their hands. I 
paused involuntarily to look at this group, for Stanley had 
not yet seen me approaching, and was unconscious of 
observation. Perhaps he never posed better for his picture 
than at. that moment, as he sat benignly chatting and 
smoking with the native chiefs, his face ighting up with 
amusement at their naive remarks, while the bearing of — 
his head still retained that somewhat proud carriage that — 
inspired these African chieftains with a real respect for 
his wishes, and a desire to retain his friendship. Any one 
observing Stanley at this moment could comprehend the 
great influence he possesses over the native mind on the 
Congo, and could realise how that influence must tend 
toward peace wherever Stanley’s fame has reached, for to 
* Stanley’s Congo name, “ The Rock Breaker.” _ 
