This seemed satisfactory, and we sent the envoys with their present, under a strong guard, to Lusambo. The guard was necessary as a protection against our own natives, who were far from friendly to Tippu Tib's people, their raiding propensities being known far and wide. De Wouters and I returned to Lusambo by water. Gongo's terms were so favourable that his emissaries, after having been feted at Lusambo, were sent back to him with presents, and a promise that we would visit him and arrange the final terms of the agreement. Immediately afterwards two officers were sent with a strong guard to visit Gongo; the Commandant, as a result of this new arrangement, which had upset many of his plans, being unable to start for another fortnight.

At this time we found that a fetisher, or “ medicine man,” in the immediate