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Through the Dark Continent, Vol. 2 (of 2) : $b or, The sources of the Nile around the Great Lakes of Equatorial Africa and down the Livingstone River to the Atlantic Ocean — John Shaqi

Through the Dark Continent, Vol. 2 (of 2) : $b or, The sources of the Nile around the Great Lakes of Equatorial Africa and down the Livingstone River to the Atlantic OceanStanley, Henry M. (Henry Morton)

History

Through the Dark Continent, Vol. 2 (of 2) : $b or, The sources of the Nile around the Great Lakes of Equatorial Africa and down the Livingstone River to the Atlantic Ocean

Name: Through the Dark Continent, Vol. 2 (of 2) : $b or, The sources of the Nile around the Great Lakes of Equatorial Africa and down the Livingstone River to the Atlantic Ocean
Author: Stanley, Henry M. (Henry Morton)

Stanley, Henry M. (Henry Morton)

Africa, Central -- Description and travel; Stanley, Henry M. (Henry Morton), 1841-1904 -- Travel -- Africa, Central

Then coasting along the south end of Burton Gulf, we came to Masansi,
which begins on the west side, and near each large village lowered our
sail and inquired the names of the various rivers, villages, points, and
countries. On coming near a village on the west bank of the Kasansagara
river, we were forewarned of a rude reception. Approaching nearer, we
were warned away by the Wabembé, who are most inimical to strangers.
Wishing to test how far this hostile spirit would proceed, we continued
to advance upon the shore. From wild gesture, such as striking the
ground with their spears, beating the water, and frantic hopping up and
down, they took to throwing stones of such large size as might well be
termed dangerous missiles. Motioning a halt, we calmly surveyed the
natives, watched the rocks fly through the air, and making deep pits in
the water, as though we were simply looking on at an entertainment
specially got up for our amusement. Not a word, gesture, or movement on
our part indicated either resentment or pleasure, until the natives
ceased their furious demonstrations. Para was then told to inform them
that we would have nothing to say to such wild people, who at sight of
strangers showed such foolish fury.

We turned away without another word, resumed our journey, and in an hour
were abreast of Kiunyu, the village of the chief Mahonga. We spoke to
them: they mocked us. We asked them if they would sell us some grain,
but they replied that they were not our slaves, and that they had not
sowed the land with grain to sell it to us. We pulled away from them
without another word. The silly people cried out that we were running
away, and at once launched about a dozen canoes and followed us.
Encouraged by the infuriates and mockers on the shore, as also by our
pacific behaviour, they became excited to a dangerous state, and
gesticulated with their arrows and spears. Owing to the ferocious spirit
of the people, we had to seek a camp among the reeds and papyrus in the
delta of the Mtambara river, where, though troubled with mosquitoes, we
slept undisturbed by the insensate ferocity of the Wabembé cannibals.

Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.

Through the Dark Continent, Vol. 2 (of 2) : $b or, The sources of the Nile around the Great Lakes of Equatorial Africa and down the Livingstone River to the Atlantic Ocean

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