I was curious to hear from Mr. Mackey some details about the Muni
River, where he travelled in company with M. du Chaillu. It still
keeps the troublous reputation for petty wars which made the old
traders dignify it with the name of "Danger." The nearest Falls
are about thirty miles from Olobe Island, and the most distant
may be sixty-five. Of course we had a laugh over the famous
Omamba or Anaconda, whose breath can be felt against the face
before it is seen.
Late in April 24th I returned the books kindly lent to me from
the mission library, shook hands with my kind and hospitable
entertainers at the mission house, mentally wishing them speedy
deliverance from Corisco, and embarked on board the "Griffon." We
quickly covered the "great water desert" of 160 miles between the
Gorilla Island and Fernando Po, and at noon on the next day I
found myself once more "at home."
[FN#1] Paul B. du Chaillu, Chap. III. "Explorations and
Adventures in Equatorial Africa." London: Murray, 1861.
[FN#2] Rev. J. Leighton Wilson of the Presbyterian Mission,
eighteen years in Africa, "Western Africa," &c.
Pages:
274
275
276
277
278
279
280
281
282
283
284
285
286
287
288
289
290
291
292
293
294
295
296
297
298