168. A JOURNEY UP THE RIVER CONGO. ~~ 
A great concourse of people, and an almost continuous 
series of villages on the east bank, show that we are 
entering the very populous district of Bolobo. At the 
principal assemblage of houses, in a picturesque and leafy 
spot, the Zanzibaris stop rowing, for the great chief of all 
this district, Ibaka, “‘ Roi de Bolobo,” as he is called in 
the Expedition, is seen wending his way down to the 
beach, accompanied by many women, to greet the white 
man who has entered his territory. He wears a hat as 
famous ag that of Chumbiri in Stanley’s ‘ Dark Continent.’ 
Ibaka comes down to ‘the water-side, leans over the boat 
and shakes hands cordially, after which, with many 
“Mbotes ”"—magic word!—we continue our route on 
towards the station, while [baka shouts out an equivalent 
to “au revoir.” We can now descry our destination on a 
distant headland, but, in spite of the utmost efforts on the 
part of the Zanzibaris, we do not arrive until nightfall, for 
we are constantly sticking on sand-banks and running 
upon sunken trees. 
Bolobo station* is situated on the summit of a bluff 
rising directly from the river. The place consists of one 
large stockaded building, at once a residence for the white 
man, and a citadel of resistance in case of attack, and a- 
series of little habitations clustered round the centre, 
where the Zanzibaris and the Krumanosf live. This little 
station and its tiny garrison were very nearly having to 
fight for their lives a short time before my arrival. Some 
relative of King Ibaka’s wishing to get up a little diversion 
which would redound to his glory, proposed to his followers 
to loot the station and massacre the whites. Fortunately, 
when all were preparing for the struggle, King Ibaka 
intervened, and matters now looked very smooth, the 
* his establishment was the farthest settlement of white men on 
the Congo at the time of my visit, though, now there are many other 
stations founded far beyond it. 
+t “Krumanos,” a Portuguese corruption of Kru man or Kru boy, is 
conventionally used on the upper river to indicate the indigenous 
carriers and servants who work for hire. On the lower river it means 
“ slaves.” | 
