300 Return to the Congo Mouth. 
wanted to quarrel, the contents of a Colt’s six- 
shooter were at his disposal. 
Such a tone would have made a European 
furious ; it had a contrary effect upon the African. 
Gidi Mavunga advanced from his mat, and taking 
my hand placed it upon his head, declaring me 
his “ Mwenemputo.” The linguisters then en¬ 
tered the circle, chanted sundry speeches, made 
little dances, then bent their knuckles to earth, 
much in the position of boys preparing to jump 
over their own joined hands, dusted themselves, 
and clapped palms. Very opportunely arrived a 
present from the king of fowls, dried fish and 
plantains, which restored joy to the camp. “ Mwen¬ 
emputo,” I must explain, primarily meaning “ the 
King of Portugal,” is applied in East Central 
Africa to a negro king and chiefs (“ The Lands 
of the Cazembe,” p. 17). In Loango also it is the 
name of a high native official, and, when used as 
in the text, it is equivalent to Mfumo, chief or 
head of family. 
At night Gidi Mavunga came to our quarters 
and began to talk sense. Knowing that my time 
was limited, he enlarged upon the badness of the 
road and the too evident end of the travelling 
season, when the great rains would altogether pre¬ 
vent fast travel. Banza Ninga, the next stage, 
was distant two or three marches, and neither 
shelter nor provisions were to be found on the 
