90 
THOMAS J. COMBER. 
a very happy party on board the Congo — in our 
successful voyage, in our glorious prospects for the 
future, and in our intercourse with one another. We 
had a very delightful and strengthening service on 
board last Sunday, when we partook of the ‘Lord’s 
Supper’ together. And every day we are able to 
meet in the ‘ Ladies’ Saloon ’ for prayer. I think all 
our hearts are light and joyous, and we feel with 
Anna Waring — 
‘ My hopes I cannot measure.’ 
I trust that every report we have to make may be as 
cheering and as full of thankfulness as this.” 
On the Congo calling at Cameroons, Mr. Comber 
was able to secure the Cameroons contingent. Arriv- 
ing there, he heard the important news that Mr. 
Stanley was shortly to enter Africa from the mouth 
of the Congo, and to go up to the Pool, for the pur- 
pose of establishing trading stations along the banks 
of the river. Important, however, as this news was, 
he felt that it would not affect the Mission plans of 
planting a base station at San Salvador, and a station, 
if possible, at Makuta, from which to press on to the 
Pool above the Falls. 
On the evening of the 9th of June, Banana was 
reached — six weeks and two days after leaving Liver- 
pool. The day following, Mr. Bentley and Mr. Hart- 
land started in a schooner for Boma ; and the second 
day an “ express canoe ” was despatched to Musuka 
with a letter to the King of Congo to be forwarded by 
an “ express courier ” to San Salvador, informing His 
Majesty of the arrival of the missionary party, and 
asking for carriers. Mr. Comber and the rest of the 
party left at Banana were conveyed up to Musuka by 
the Zaire, It was thought advisable to make the 
journey to San Salvador in two detachments. The 
advance party, consisting of Mr. Bentley and Mr. 
Crudgington, thirty-six carriers, two capatas^ four 
donkeys, and the dog “ Ben,” duly reached their desti- 
