Page:Travels in West Africa, Congo Français, Corisco and Cameroons (IA travelsinwestafr00kingrich).pdf/399

 sheet of water, the silver sheen of which contrasted with the sombre hue of the lofty mountains around. Towards the N.W. the waterline extended to the horizon, and the river swept in a noiseless slow current past the foot of the hills beneath."

His first object on reaching the banks of the Great River was to establish peaceful relations with the Apfuru and other tribes of the 'Ubanji nation. The principal tribe of this family are the Alhialumo "sailors of the Congo," who are born, live, and die with their families on board the fine canoes, in which they carry on their trade in ivory and other goods between the Alima and Stanley Pool. This was so on de Brazza's first visit. Now I am informed that trade route is to a considerable extent diverted.

De Brazza addressed himself to Ngampey their chief, who seemed inclined to be friendly. "Choose," said he, "between the cartridge and the flag I send you. One will be the sign of a war without mercy, the other a symbol of a peace as profitable to you as to us." He left the tribes on this side time to think over the answer and went on to King Makoko.

De Brazza here says he felt his rights of priority and those of France now clearly established over the whole region between the Ogowé, the Equator, and the Congo; and he next wished to extend this over the left bank of the Congo, the N., as far as the confluence of the river Djué to the south of Stanley Pool. In this part of the country the plateaus are more fertile and better cultivated than those in the interior and the population denser and equally pacific. "The Mussulman element," says de Brazza, "being unknown in this region, European civilisation need not expect to encounter the hostility, hatred, and fanaticism which oblige the French, for instance, not to advance except with armed forces from the Senegal to the Niger. There is nothing to be feared there except the natural opposition of the natives to whatever is new."

Makoko received him with all available magnificence, and he remained twenty-five days with the chief and for a longer period in his provinces, and "could not have been better treated."