88 A JOURNEY UP THE RIVER CONGO. 
but one day, and then for the rest of the “week” or 
“fortnight” the market-place is void and desolate; only 
the old wicker baskets, banana-skins, corn-shucks, feathers, 
and egg shells remain to witness to the great assemblage ~ 
which has taken place. Of such a kind is the great 
market near Isangila, and there are similar gatherings at 
Manyanga, Lutété, and in proximity to most of Mr. 
Stanley’s stations. 
Before I leave the subject of Isangila to proceed with 
my description of the river, 1 might mention that this was 
almost the farthest point reached by Captain Tuckey’s 
expedition, and was called by them “ Sangalla.” Some of 
them did, indeed, penetrate nearly as much farther as 
about where « Baynesville,” a station of the Baptist 
mission, 1s situated, but the general researches of the 
expedition may be said to have been arrested at Isangila. 
Poor Captain Tuckey here thought that the greatest 
difficulties were vanquished, and imagined that the com- 
paratively tranquil stream which he saw before him 
indicated the absence or unimportance of further cataracts. 
Had he not broken down and died at that time would he 
possibly have been able to struggle past the greater diffi- 
culties beyond, with a fiercer population opposing his 
advance? I think not, and his expedition appears from 
the very first, hopelessly and sadly foredoomed to those 
who read its records with the fuller knowledge of to-day. 
The journey* to the next station, Manyanga, may be 
made by water, the rapids on this part of the Congo being 
just passable in a stout boat, or by land along the north 
bank of the river; but this route is most fatiguing, and 
occupies at least eight days, whereas by water it is only 
four or five. I left Isangila on January 16th with my 
three Zanzibaris, to go up this part of the Congo in a little 
steam-launch the “Royal, now removed to. the upper 
river, and forming part of Mr. Stanley’s flotilla. The 
scenery along this section of the Congo is at first very 
pretty. A fine papilionaceous tree, Baphia sp., was abun- 
* A distance of about 86 English miles, 
. 
: 
: 
