The portrait of Mr. Stanley is from a photograph taken early in 1886. The maps on the inside of the covers were specially drawn for this work, and the publishers, with their customary liberality, have allowed the use of wood-cuts selected from several volumes of African travel and exploration, in addition to those which originally appeared in "Through the Dark Continent." In the hope that "The Boy Travellers on the Congo" will be as cordially received as were its predecessors in the series, the work is herewith submitted to press and public for perusal and comment. T. W. K. NEW YORK, _May_, 1887. CONTENTS CHAPTER I. CROSSING THE ATLANTIC OCEAN WITH STANLEY.--"THROUGH THE DARK CONTINENT."--AN IMPROMPTU GEOGRAPHICAL SOCIETY.--PERSONAL APPEARANCE OF STANLEY.--COMMENTS UPON HIM BY FRANK AND FRED.--HOW THE GEOGRAPHICAL SOCIETY WAS ORGANIZED.--READING STANLEY'S BOOK.--STANLEY'S DEPARTURE FROM ENGLAND FOR ZANZIBAR.--JOINT ENTERPRISE OF TWO NEWSPAPERS.--PREPARATIONS FOR THE EXPEDITION.--THE "LADY ALICE."--BARKER AND THE POCOCKS.--ZANZIBAR.--PRINCE BARGHASH.--INHABITANTS OF ZANZIBAR.--THE WANGWANA. Page 13 CHAPTER II. TRANSPORTATION IN AFRICA.--MEN AS BEASTS OF BURDEN.--PORTERS, AND THEIR PECULIARITIES.--ENGAGING MEN FOR THE EXPEDITION.--A "SHAURI."--TROUBLES WITH THE "LADY ALICE."--AGREEMENT BETWEEN STANLEY AND HIS MEN.--DEPARTURE FROM ZANZIBAR.--BAGAMOYO.--THE UNIVERSITIES MISSION.--DEPARTURE OF THE EXPEDITION.--DIFFICULTIES WITH THE PORTERS.--SUFFERINGS ON THE MARCH.--NATIVE SUSPENSION BRIDGES.--SHOOTING A ZEBRA.--LOSSES BY DESERTION. 32 CHAPTER III. RETARDED BY RAINS AND OTHER MISHAPS.--GENERAL DESPONDENCY.--DEATH OF EDWARD POCOCK.--A CHANGE FOR THE BETTER.--A LAND OF PLENTY.--ARRIVAL AT VICTORIA LAKE.--NATIVE SONG.--AFLOAT ON THE GREAT LAKE.--TERRIBLE TALES OF THE INHABITANTS.--ENCOUNTERS WITH THE NATIVES.--THE VICTORIA NILE.--RIPON FALLS.--SPEKE'S EXPLORATIONS.--THE ALEXANDRA NILE.--ARRIVAL AT KING MTESA'S COURT.--A MAGNIFICENT RECEPTION.--IN THE MONARCH'S PRESENCE.--STANLEY'S FIRST OPINIONS OF MTESA. 53 CHAPTER IV. PERSONAL APPEARANCE OF KING MTESA.--HIS RECEPTION OF MR. STANLEY.--A NAVAL REVIEW.--STANLEY'S MARKSMANSHIP.--THE KING'S PALACE.--RUBAGA, THE KING'S CAPITAL.--RECEPTION AT THE PALACE.--MEETING COLONEL LINANT DE BELLEFONDS.--CONVERTING MTESA TO CHRISTIANITY.--APPEAL FOR MISSIONARIES TO BE SENT TO MTESA.--DEPARTURE FOR USUKUMA.--FIGHT WITH THE NATIVES AT BUMBIREH ISLAND.--SUFFERINGS OF STANLEY AND HIS COMPANIONS ON LAKE VICTORIA.--A NARROW ESCAPE.--RETURN TO KAGEHYI.--DEATH OF FRED BARKER.--EMBARKING THE EXPEDITION.--KING LUKONGEH AND HIS PEOPLE. 76 CHAPTER V.