CHAPTER IY. 
VIVI TO ISANGILA. 
My Zanziparis—THe Grass—Neuvi MpanpA—BEHAVIOUR OF 
THE CHILDREN—T'HE VALLEY OF THE LOA—PLEASURES OF 
BatTHinc—THE CAMOENSIA—SADIKA Banza—A Prt FowLt— 
Tue ArricAN Frora—TsHe Bouzi—Tue BounpiI—RAaIn—AwK- 
WARD TRAVELLING—I'HE LULU—AFTER THE STORM—HORNBILLS 
AND TreE-Ducks—THE Neooma Fa.tis—StTantey’s NAME OF 
Buta Mavrapi—Tue Future or Neoma—ISANGILA. 
On January 7th, 1883, I left Vivi for Isangila, and 
Stanley Pool. Mr. Stanley was very ill with fever the 
day I started ; but although he was burning and shivering 
alternately, he would not let me go forward without 
ascertaining that everything which could aid me in my 
journey had been placed at my disposal; perhaps the 
most valuable help he rendered me was to attach to my 
rerson, as escort, three of his favourite Zanzibaris, Faraji, 
Mafta yu Hali, and Imbono——and it will be long before I~ 
forget them, or cease to regret the almost affectionate 
service they bestowed on me. ; 
Before I start once more in imagination on my long 
journey up the Congo, these three faithful servitors deserve 
a few words of individual description. 
Mafta, you would at once call a thoroughly respectable 
person, and I was so soon impressed by his superior 
appearance that I made him head man of the caravan, 
He was perhaps approaching middle-age, and his well- - 
made figure of moderate height was neatly dressed in 
white cloth. Though his face was nearly black, the, 
features were well formed and very Arab-like.. His eyes 
were quietly humorous, and though he rarely laughed, # 
