46 
AFRICA AND ITS EXPLORATION. 
pilot and a dark and moonless night, with the tide still 
running in, delayed us till I could hardly distinguish 
the sable human masses which gathered upon the Styx- 
like stream to welcome their new Matyem — merchant 
or white man. Before landing, all the guns on board 
the steamer were double-loaded and discharged, at the 
instance of our host, who very properly insisted upon 
this act of African courtesy — “ it would be shame not 
to fire salute.” We were answered by the loudest howls, 
and by the town muskets, which must have carried the 
charges of old chambers. Mr. Tippet, an intelligent 
coloured man from the States, who has been living 
thirteen years on the Gaboon, since the age of fourteen, 
and who acts as native trader to Mr. It. B. N. Walker, 
for ivory, ebony, rubber, and other produce, escorted 
me to his extensive establishment. At length I am 
amongst the man-eaters. 
