I I 2 
A Visit to Banzci Chis at la. 
connecting the north bank with the islet, delayed 
us, and the rocks on the right showed pot-holes 
dug by the poling-staves ; during the rains canoes 
from Boma avoid this place, and seek fuel down 
stream. After a total of two hours and a quarter 
we reached Banza Chisalla : it is a “ small country,” 
in African parlance, a succursal of Boma proper, 
the Banza on the hills beyond the reedy, grassy 
plain. The site is charming—a flat palm-orchard 
backed by an amphitheatre of high-rolling ground, 
and the majestic stream approaches it through 
a gate, whose right staple is the tall Chisalla, 
and whose left is a rocky islet with outlying 
needles. 
We ascended the river-bank, greeted by the 
usual accidents of an African reception; the men 
shouted, the women rushed screaming under cover, 
and the children stood howling at the horrible 
sight. A few paces placed us at the “ palace,” a 
heap of huts, surrounded by an old reed-fence. 
The audience-room was a trifle larger than usual, 
with low shady eaves, a half-flying roof, and a pair 
of doorways for the dangerous but indispensable 
draught; a veteran sofa and a few rickety chairs 
composed the furniture, and the throne was known 
by its boarded seat, which would have been useful 
in taking a “ lamp-bath.” 
Presently entered the “Rei dos Reis,” Nessalla: 
the old man, whose appearance argued prosperity, 
