CHAPTER XII.

THE CAMP AT YAMBUYA.

The Aruwimi--Formation of the camp--Stanley’s plan--The arrival of the _Henry Reed_--Tippoo Tib at Stanley Falls--Composition of the caravan--Forward!

The Aruwimi, on the right bank of the Congo, is one of its most important tributaries. In 1877 Stanley first discovered it as an affluent, and in 1883 made the ascent of its lower course as far as Yambuya, where he was stopped by the rapids. The river has since been frequently explored by the agents of the Congo State, who have recently established a large entrenched camp, protected by cannon, and garrisoned with 600 Haoussa and Bangala soldiers, under the command of twelve European officers.

The course of the river is studded with numerous small islands, some of which are covered with low bushwood, others with trees of larger growth. There are also many sand-banks which, when the water is low, render navigation somewhat dangerous. The current is by no means strong, nor is the channel anywhere very deep, and at Yambuya, where the river is over 400 yards wide, the natives ford it at low water. Both banks are picturesque and well-wooded, though not densely covered with forest like those of the Lower Congo, the Sankullu, and the Lomami. At intervals between the woods there are wide fertile plains, rising variably from 15 to 30 feet above the level of the water. At the beginning of the year, during the rainy season, the woods are adorned with masses of blossoms of exquisite hues, scarlet, pink, and snowy white. Bananas and palms are in great abundance.

On the Lower Aruwimi, the shores are tenanted by the populous tribe of the Basoko, a fine strongly-built people, resembling the Wapoto lower down the Congo, and the Mwenja round Stanley Falls. Further up the river reside the Bateku, the Baburu, and other tribes.

The building of the houses on the Aruwimi is quite of a different style to what it is on the Upper Congo. The huts are all surmounted by conical roofs, which are from 4 to 5 yards high, and reach nearly down to the ground, and these are covered over with great prickly leaves which give to these primitive abodes a very singular character.

When first the expedition was making preparations to disembark, the natives congregated on the banks, and appeared to be assuming a threatening attitude, as if disposed to prevent a landing being effected. Stanley sounded his steam-whistles, and the extraordinary noise so startled them that they took to their heels. By degrees, however, they found their way back, and being enticed by a few presents, and by kindly words, soon became on friendly terms.

The camp was pitched at the foot of the first rapids, on the slope of a steepish hill about 20 yards in height. It was enclosed by a palisade, and on the sides that were open to attack it was protected by a broad fosse, with bastions at the angles. Inside it was partitioned off into three divisions, the upper of these being occupied by the huts of the Europeans, not arranged in any symmetrical order; the centre by the Zanzibaris and the police-guard; the lowest set apart for the quarters of the Soudanese and for the powder-magazine.

Whilst Lieutenant Stairs and Mr. Jameson were superintending the construction of the camp, Stanley was engaged in organising the scheme of his expedition. The main features of his plan were these: he would form an advance caravan, consisting of some 300 or 400 porters, and of these, with the assistance of about four of his subordinates, he would himself take the command. With this caravan he would proceed towards Lake Albert, mainly following the course of the Aruwimi, and using the river, wherever it should be practicable, for the transport of baggage and invalids. The point on the lake which he contemplated reaching was Kavalli, a small village on its southern extremity.

Yambuya and Kavalli lie pretty nearly in the same latitude, and the distance between them was over 300 miles, which Stanley hoped, if no impediment arose, that he should accomplish in about two months; but of course he felt it quite questionable what difficulties he might have to contend with along a route of which he had not the slightest knowledge.

Then, next, whilst this march was being made, the encampment would have to be left with the remainder of the baggage under the guard of 300 soldiers; the _Stanley_ and the _Peace_ would have to go down to Stanley Pool to convey up Mr. Rose Troup and whatever had been left behind at Leopoldville, as well as to bring on Messrs. Bonney and Ward with 125 soldiers who were at Bolobo; and finally, when Tippoo Tib’s promised contingent of bearers should arrive, the rear body should follow on, upon Stanley’s track, which, so long as it traversed an unknown country, should be indicated by the blazing of trees and by the vestiges of the abandoned camps.

On the afternoon of June 22nd, the _Henry Reed_, with Major Barttelot on board, arrived at Stanley Falls. It had already been there on the 17th with Tippoo Tib, who was received with every demonstration of delight. On parting, Tippoo Tib delivered to the Major several letters, one of which was addressed to the King of the Belgians, assuring his Majesty of his most devoted allegiance, and of his earnest desire for the maintenance of peace in the district that had been entrusted to his charge.

This was in June 1887. Since that time various accusations of treachery have been laid against Tippoo Tib, but the conduct of the Arab chief has been in every way honest and straightforward, entirely falsifying all evil report.

The whole of the Upper Congo is now in the occupation of the agents of the Free State. The Government steamers, as well as those in the ownership of different missions and various mercantile firms, ply freely between the Pool and the Falls, and so active is trade, that at the close of 1889 nearly fifty tons of ivory purchased from the natives and Arab dealers were sold in the Antwerp market.

Control of the camp at Yambuya, as well as the conduct of the second caravan, was entrusted by Stanley to Major Barttelot, who would have the assistance of Messrs. Jameson, Bonney, Rose Troup, and Ward. The officers who were to accompany Stanley himself were Lieutenant Stairs, Captain Nelson, Dr. Parke, and Mr. Mounteney Jephson. The caravan altogether was 368 in number, and in addition to the sections of the whale-boat, and the large stock of provision, it had to convey 300 loads of cartridges. A company of seventy-five soldiers, armed with Winchester rifles and hatchets, under the orders of Lieutenant Stairs, was told off, to go at the head of the column, and lay open a pathway through the woods.

All preparations were complete by the 27th of June. Stanley had the troops drawn up in marching order and subjected to a strict review. Betimes next morning the expedition left Yambuya and made its entrance upon the unknown. Who could tell what difficulties were before it? Who could anticipate what dangers were to be met? Who could forecast what hostility, what sickness, what famine might have to be endured?

But these things mattered not. The grandeur of the undertaking kindled the energies of all alike; confidence and hope were strong. Had they not, as a leader, the man who had saved Livingstone, the hero who had traversed Africa from Zanzibar to Banana, the renowned rock-breaker Boula Matari, the undaunted explorer, the keenest of diplomatists, the very founder of the Congo State?

Forward, then, forward! Straight onward to the Nyanza!