DOWN THE CONGO TO THE ATLANTIC. 
449 
and then, in attitudes of bravado and defiance, raise 
spears and shields aloft and bring them downward with 
sounding clash. 
As we approached them, we shouted out “ Sen-nen- 
neh ” — ^our Sesame and Shibboleth, our watchword and 
countersign. But they would not respond. 
Hitherto they had called us Wasambye ; we were now 
called Wajiwa (people of the sun ?) ; our guns were 
called Katadzi, while before they were styled Kibongeh, 
or lightning. Katembo was implored to be eloquent, 
mild of voice, pacific in gesture. 
They replied, “ We shall eat Wajiwa meat to-day, 
Oho, we shall eat Wajiwa meat ! ” and then an old chief 
gave some word of command, and at once 100 paddles 
beat the water into foam, and the canoes darted at us. 
But the contest was short, and we were permitted to 
pursue our voyage. 
The river, beyond these islands, expanded to a 
breadth of 3000 yards ; the left bank being high, and 
the right low. At noon we were in south latitude 
1 ° 10 '. 
Five miles below, the river narrowed to about 2800 
yards, and then we floated down past an uninhabited 
stretch, the interval affording us rest, until, reaching 
the southern end of a large island, we camped, lest we 
might be plunged into hostilities once more. 
The 2nd of January was a lively day. We first ran 
the gauntlet past Kirembuka, an exciting affair, and 
next we were challenged by Mwana-Mara’s fierce sons, 
who were soon joined by Mwana Vibondo’s people, and 
about 10.30 a.m. we had to repulse an attack made by 
the natives of Lombo a Kiriro. We had fought for 
three hours almost without a pause, for the Kewanjawa 
and Watomba tribe from the left bank had joined in 
the savage melee, and had assisted the tribes of the 
right bank. Then for an hour we had rest ; but after 
that we came to islands, which we afterwards discovered 
were called Ivibombo, and, finding the tribe of Amu 
Nyam preparing for battle with animation, we took 
advantage of one of the group to see if we could not 
VOL. II. 2 G 
