EVENTS AND PROCEEDINGS. lOI 
been sent twelve years before to Congo by His Holi- 
ness the Pope, but health and strength had failed, 
and he had been obliged to settle his mission at 
Landana, having, however, made many unsuccessful 
attempts to reach Congo, once getting as far as Boma. 
Mr. Comber did not fail to suggest to the king that it 
was rather singular, seeing his soul was filled with 
such ardent love, he had not before, during all the 
twelve years, sent him a letter. The people were not 
slow to estimate the ‘‘ passionate desires ” at their true 
value. Of course, the Pere Superior took the oppor- 
tunity to denounce the missionaries in the strongest 
terms, as servants of the devil, etc., expatiating upon 
the doctrines of Protestantism, the Reformation, per- 
sonal character of Henry VIII., Luther, Calvin and 
Zwingle. After requesting that carriers might be 
sent and a house prepared for him, the writer con- 
cluded his letter by promising to establish a large 
mission, and bring a present to the king, of whom 
he was the profoundly humble, obedient servant, 
etc. The king was not pleased with this communica- 
tion, for he even declined to send the requested 
carriers. 
The efforts of the missionaries, though concentrated 
at San Salvador, were by no means confined to that 
place ; visits into the surrounding country were con- 
tinually being made, and nearly always with the great 
object in view of effecting a passage to the Pool. 
Some of these journeys were of great importance in 
themselves, giving opportunities for gaining wider 
knowledge of the people, and for proclaiming the 
Gospel ; and at several of the towns urgent requests 
were made for the white men to build houses and 
remain as teachers. As one of these journeys was 
attended by very serious consequences to Mr. 
Comber, it must be described in detail. On the occa- 
sion referred to, Mr. Comber set forth accompanied 
by Mr. Hartland, Cam, a linguister, and eight Kroo 
boys. On arriving at Banza Loango, seven of the 
