io8 Seven Years in Central Africa. [July, 
dog's eye as a gentle reminder that it was time he should be 
going back to his own village. 
AN OPEN DOOR FOR THE GOSPEL. 
I have detailed the foregoing incident at some length to give 
some idea of the measure of religious enlightenment that these 
poor people have. Yet among all these tribes there is an open 
door for a messenger of the gospel. Every time I have been 
able to gain their ear, unhindered by any quarrel, they have 
shown much interest and delight, and have acknowledged that 
they are living in darkness, and in ignorance of the great Spirit 
who rules above all. 
July 2nd. — Following the course of the Onda river, we passed 
through a fine open country, crossing a running stream of water 
every half hour, some large, some small, but all running rapidly. 
During the dry season the whole country could be put under 
water by irrigation. Why it should be almost entirely deserted 
by the Kimbanda I cannot say. We reached the town of 
Kabango, who had recently died ; the Kimbanda were very 
civil, and careful not to give offence. 
A HOT DISPUTE ABOUT A DEBT. 
July 2,rd, 1884. — Camped by the Letot river. Here a trouble 
that had been brewing for a long time amongst the men, broke 
out. We were now getting near to Bihe, and one of the men 
insisted that another who owed him something should pay his 
debt before they entered their own country. The other refused 
to acknowledge his indebtedness, and hot words led to blows. 
Seizing his gun, already loaded, the debtor pulled the trigger 
twice while aiming at the other's breast, but being only a flint 
lock it missed fire on both occasions. The creditor in self-defence 
rushed on his assailant with a club, and compelled him to drop 
his gun by breaking two of his fingers. The injured man then 
seized his knife from his belt, rushed at the man he had failed 
to shoot, and stabbed him, the knife entering rather deeply 
into the abdomen. By this time the men in camp had come 
to the rescue, and prevented further mischief by separating the 
antagonists. 
