DOWN THE CONGO TO THE ATLANTIC. 
455 
is a short moment of hesitation, and then some forms 
disappear, and presently come out again hearing gourds, 
chickens, bananas, and vegetables, &c. , which they place 
carefully in a small canoe. Two women step in and 
boldly paddle towards us, while a deathly silence prevails 
among my people as well as among the aborigines on 
the bank. 
I observed one or two coquettish airs on the part of 
the tw T o women, but though my arm was getting tired 
VIEW FROM THE LIVINGSTONE TABLE-LAND. 
with holding out so long in one position those necklaces' 
of glorious beads, I dared not withdraw them, lest the 
fascination might be broken. I felt myself a martyr in 
the cause of public peace, and the sentiment made me 
bear up stoically. 
“Boy,’ I muttered, in an undertone, to Mabruki, my 
gun-bearer, “ when the canoe is alongside, seize it firmly 
and do not let it escape.” 
“ Inshallah, my master.” 
Nearer the canoe came, and with its approach my 
