It consisted of a garrison of 13 white men and 400 black soldiers. There having been little fighting, the whole station had been occupied for two years in making large plantations of cassava, maize, and rice, which were in such splendid condition that the station was self-supporting. The Stanley had brought up orders for the despatch of an exploring expedition to Katanga, and I was at once directed by the Commandant to join the caravan, which consisted of 7 officers (white men), 300 soldiers, and 200 porters, besides camp followers and women.

The Commandant himself took command. Each of the seven officers had three trained bulls to ride, which eventually served for food on the road. We started on 17th July for Pania Mutumba's village, three days' march from Lusambo. Crossing the Sankuru, we marched up its left