58 
THOMAS J. COMBER. 
extreme. One of the first places reached was Bomano. 
Going to the headman's house, he found a few people, 
who, on seeing the visitors, set up a wide-mouthed 
howl of laughter, and in great excitement unhooked 
the town drum and beat a general call, adding, to make 
“ a concord of sweet sounds,” their own voices. A boy 
rushed off to tell the headman who was away at his 
farm, and soon returned to fetch His Majesty's state 
apparel — regimental coat and hat — so that he might 
receive his guests in state. In about a couple of hours 
the king, whose name was Ilaley-Soko, appeared in 
full dress. After shaking hands, and accepting some 
snuff, Mr. Comber told him who his party were, that 
he was going from town to town through the country 
to tell “ God-palaver,” as the preaching of the 
Gospel is called. He expressed a wish that they 
would go no farther, but put up a house at his place, 
and live amongst his people. Mr. Comber replied 
that he was God's servant, and that He had sent him 
into the country, and therefore he must go ; but that 
if God told him to put up a house at Bomano he 
would do it, for he had to act as God directed 
him. At first the people listened attentively to the 
preaching ; but soon laughed heartily at all that was 
told them, as if they thought it a good story, but didn't 
believe it. 
In a village a short distance from Bomano, called 
Deeonga, Mr. Comber saw the first idol he had seen 
in Africa — the rudest figure of a man, with arms 
crossed, and holding some fruit placed as an offering 
— the figure being in a little circle of small trees. At 
other places he saw the same kind of idol. As far as 
he could learn, it was a sort of household tutelary 
god, to whom the people did not pray or ascribe 
intelligence. 
The people at a farther place, called Bosama, mani- 
fested great astonishment at being told of the resur- 
rection of the dead. On being informed of Mr. 
Comber's name^ which they wished to know, they 
