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THE LOWER CONGO—-BANANA POINT TO ViIVIT. 48 
unloading cargo from a steamer, the jabbering of the 
natives come to traffic their products against the white 
man’s cloth, beads, wire, and gin, all formed the busy 
turmoil that rose from the awaking station, and which 
continued till the sun was down, and the bell had sounded 
for cessation of work. Then the cooking fires of the 
Zanzibaris and the Kruboys twinkled in the dusky bush, 
and the dinner-table was laid for the white men, with the 
ORCHIDS. 
pleasant glow of lamplight reflected on the white cloth 
and the knives and forks, like a glimpse of far-off 
civilization. Every one expanded at dinner-time. The 
anxious chief forgot his anxieties; those who thought 
they were going to die of fever seemed at any rate 
resolved to die with a full stomach; the doctor rubbed 
his hands and looked hopeful; people who had been 
“distant” with one another during the day became 
