148 Up the Congo to Banza Nokki. 
river that Banza Nokki would be to me the far- 
famed point of which it was said, 
“ Quem passar o Cabo de Nam 
On tornard, on nao,” 
and prepared accordingly. Old Shimbal, the 
linguist, had declared that a year would be required 
by the suspicious “ bush-men ” to palaver over the 
knotty question of a stranger coming only to “ make 
mukanda,” that is to see and describe the country. 
M. Pissot was forbidden by etiquette to recognize 
his old employs (honours change manners here as 
in Europe), yet he set about the work doughtily. 
My wishes were expounded, and every possible 
promise of hammocks and porters, guides and 
interpreters, was made by the hosts. The royal 
helmet was then removed, and a handsome 
burnous was drawn over the king’s shoulders, 
the hood covering the berretta in most grotesque 
guise. After which the commander and M. Pissot 
set out for the return march, leaving me with my 
factotum Selim and the youth Nchama Chamvu. 
To the question “Quid muliere levius?” the 
scandalous Latin writer answers “ Nihil,” for 
which I would suggest “ Niger.” At the supreme 
moment the interpreter, who had been deaf to the 
charmer’s voice (offering fifty dollars) for the last 
three days, succumbed to the “ truant fever.” He 
knew something of Portuguese ; and, having been 
employed by the French factory, he had scoured 
