We built a stone house, and were getting on nicely in our work at San Salvador, but beyond the king’s territory we were blocked by the native traders. Thirteen attempts were made, first on one road and then on another, until Mr. Comber was attacked, and shot. He was able to escape, and the slug was extracted.
Then followed long palavering, and at last the road was declared open. Meanwhile, we learned that Mr. Stanley had returned to the Congo, and was engaged in making a road from Vivi, on the north bank of the Congo, from the point where the river ceased to be navigable. He was said to be acting for the King of the Belgians, and to have instructions to open up communications between the coast and Stanley Pool. This was good news indeed. Next we learned that a M. de Brazza, who had for a long time been exploring inland from the Ogowe River, near the Equator, had come down on to the Upper Congo, thence to Stanley Pool, and by the north bank to the coast. As the south bank road was declared open, it was determined that Messrs. Comber and Hartland should once more try it, while Mr. Crudgington and I should attempt the north bank. The south bank party met with a repulse in a few days; on the north bank we were more fortunate. We found that Mr. Stanley’s steamer road extended as far as Isangila, a distance of about fifty miles from Vivi. There we found his advanced party; beyond was unknown land. De Brazza must have kept far from the river, for we were soon among people who had never seen a white man, while there was so little intercommunication between the people that no one knew of Mr. Stanley’s approach a day’s march beyond his camp. We were therefore able to take the people by surprise; and when we reached the districts of the ivory traders, they were bewildered at our sudden, unexpected advent, not having any idea of white men trying to reach the upper river; they had not recovered from their astonishment before we had passed on. So, sleeping in quiet places, and travelling rapidly in this way, we were able to reach the Pool, and visited Ntamu, where now Leopoldville and our Arthington Station are established. Having accomplished all that we