^iVKNTS AND PR0CE£:DINGS. 
99 
that, if he sends any more ambassadors to Makuta 
on behalf of white men, their throats will be cut and 
they thrown into the river. 
“As to going farther into the country by the 
Makuta road, they say we may try Zombo or Kin- 
suka, but must not come their way, because of the 
opposition of surrounding chiefs. And when I 
direct Cozinheiro to say that we hope soon to 
be widely known as benevolent, kind missionaries 
only, and not as traders, or as coming to take 
their country, and that, perhaps, then they would 
like us to come and settle in their town and teach 
them God's Word, I understand enough of Fyot to 
know he does not give my message. He refuses, 
saying the people wouldn't like it, but I shout, 
‘Vova! Vova!' (speak), and the people seeing he 
was keeping back, shout, ‘Vova' too, and when he 
tells them, they smile an incredulous smile, while 
some appear angry. 
“ After negativing my proposal to bring my white 
brother the next day to see them, and refusing to 
take any of the tempting goods I had brought as a 
present for them, they shake hands and go away. 
During all this palaver, although they threaten the 
King of Congo, Sabbi, Cozinheiro, my boy Cam, and 
all the ambassadors, yet they do not once threaten 
me ; and when speaking I smile in the face of Susu- 
Mpemba or Antonio. They always smile in a 
friendly troubled way, and I am sure want us to 
come, though they cannot allow us. The people, too, 
seem friendly, although they call after us, ‘ Ki-leka- 
ko' (You mustn't sleep here). Nothing more can^.be 
done at present ; the road this way is clearly shut up, 
and in weariness and disappointment I return, and 
reach Kola very tired at 3.30. We decide that the 
only thing to be done is to try another route." 
Thus defeated at Makuta, Mr. Comber's first idea 
was to attempt a route by way of Zombo, but this on 
further thought was abandoned, and he resolved to 
