neighbourhood of Kasongo, who had been attacking our friendlies, and even our own people, whenever they went out to look for food.

The caravans of friendly natives bringing food to sell in the town had been stopped and dispersed. Lieutenant Doorme and Sub-Lieutenant Cerkel were sent by the Commandant to punish them, and at the same time to explore the country. Within six hours' march of Kasongo the expedition entered a virgin forest, in which they wandered about for a week. The undergrowth was very dense, forming a kind of wall on each side of the path; and in this dense bush paths had been cut at right angles to the main road, which was hidden by a single bush on each side at the point of intersection. The natives stationed themselves on one side of the main road, and as the caravan passed (in Indian file, with