74 
THOMAS J. COMBER. 
channel. Mr. Comber started up the Congo, feeling 
very hopeful about everything, and how necessary it 
was to continue faithful to his Master and His work, 
and to abide in Him if the Divine blessing was to rest 
upon the undertaking. 
Having reached Musuka, the point on the river at 
which the land journey begins, delay was occasioned 
by waiting for the carriers whom it was expected the 
king would send down from San Salvador. As these 
did not arrive, the party was increased to thirty-five 
by men from Musuka and neighbourhood. On 
the 30th of July the march began, headed by the 
“ Kirangazi,” a boy bearing the English flag. Mr. 
Comber found the country much depopulated by the 
slave trade of the Portuguese. The few rivers that 
had to be passed gave no trouble except to “Jack,” 
who proved himself a most useful^ animal. There was 
no difficulty in procuring food ; a sheep or goat or 
pig being killed every day, the Congo people eating 
entrails and even the skin, which they cut up and 
boiled. The greatest physical difficulty in travelling, 
owing to the narrowness of the path, was the tall, 
thick grass, reaching in many places fifteen feet in 
height. 
After proceeding some distance, the men sent by 
the king were met, numbering about fifty ; it was, 
however, thought advisable that they should go on to 
the river and bring up the goods left behind. The 
distance from Musuka to San Salvador was found to 
be about a hundred miles ; and, after eight days' 
travelling, the party reached its destination, being 
heartily received by the king and the people of the 
town. This reception took place in the king's 
courtyard. “ Pedro Finga,” in the words of Mr. 
Comber, “introducing us to His Majesty, went 
down upon his knees, and seemed struck with awe 
and reverence; and most of those who interviewed 
His Majesty rubbed dust on their foreheads, and 
clapped hands long and vigorously. We found Don 
