102 
Seven Years in Central Africa, 
[June, 
^th. — The chief came to-day, saying he was sorry he was 
absent yesterday, but that now he had brought his people to 
hear what I had to say. I spoke to them all in my hut, and the 
chief, who seems to be a sensible, cautious man, thanked me 
repeatedly, and wanted to give me a little boy as a present. 
HOSTILE TRIBES. 
June 12th. — Left Serpa Pinto's road and kept on by the river 
Kuti ; passed straggling towns of Bambunda and Bachibokwe. 
iTfth. — Started early in the morning, the main body of the 
carriers being behind. We passed several villages of Bambunda 
safely, the people only coming out to look at us, but when we 
reached one of their large towns they gathered round us dancing, 
shouting, and yelHng to us to stop, and swinging their weapons 
over our heads. They then laid hold on some of the carriers, 
and drove off my ox, so I ran back and kept them off the goods 
until Senhor Porto came up with some more men. Springing 
from his hammock he seized his gun, which made the ruffians fall 
back. Having recovered my ox, I started off with the boys and 
women carriers, while Senhor Porto and some armed men kept 
the Bambunda at bay. 
i^th. — Reached the town of Herero, who is headman of the 
Bambunda living along the Kuti. He proved as disagreeable as 
his people, demanding from us an ox and some tiger-skins. I 
sent word to Herero that I was a man of peace, who had come 
from far, and that I hoped to return to them shortly. 
-L^th. — Got off without further trouble, Senhor Porto having 
given some tiger-skins to the chief Left the Kuti, and, crossing 
a very steep hill, descended to the river Kuvangui, a rapid and 
deep stream, which I crossed by a frail wooden bridge, the 
carriers going further up to a ford. Keeping by the Kuvangui 
for four hours, we passed Kankanga's, and then camped at the 
town of Kashima's daughter. I speak of " towns ; " but though 
the people are in considerable numbers, gathered close together 
under their chief, their huts are so hidden and scattered in 
dense wood, that to a passer-by the only signs of the presence 
of human beings are certain narrow and winding footpaths here 
and there. 
