THE CAMP AT YAMBUYA.
The Aruwimi--Formation of the camp--Stanley’s plan--The
arrival of the _Henry Reed_--Tippoo Tib at Stanley
Falls--Composition of the caravan--Forward!
The Aruwimi, on the right bank of the Congo, is one of its most
important tributaries. In 1877 Stanley first discovered it as an
affluent, and in 1883 made the ascent of its lower course as far as
Yambuya, where he was stopped by the rapids. The river has since
been frequently explored by the agents of the Congo State, who have
recently established a large entrenched camp, protected by cannon, and
garrisoned with 600 Haoussa and Bangala soldiers, under the command of
twelve European officers.
The course of the river is studded with numerous small islands, some
of which are covered with low bushwood, others with trees of larger
growth. There are also many sand-banks which, when the water is low,
render navigation somewhat dangerous. The current is by no means
strong, nor is the channel anywhere very deep, and at Yambuya, where
the river is over 400 yards wide, the natives ford it at low water.
Both banks are picturesque and well-wooded, though not densely covered
with forest like those of the Lower Congo, the Sankullu, and the
Lomami. At intervals between the woods there are wide fertile plains,
rising variably from 15 to 30 feet above the level of the water. At the
beginning of the year, during the rainy season, the woods are adorned
with masses of blossoms of exquisite hues, scarlet, pink, and snowy
white. Bananas and palms are in great abundance.
On the Lower Aruwimi, the shores are tenanted by the populous tribe of
the Basoko, a fine strongly-built people, resembling the Wapoto lower
down the Congo, and the Mwenja round Stanley Falls. Further up the
river reside the Bateku, the Baburu, and other tribes.
The building of the houses on the Aruwimi is quite of a different
style to what it is on the Upper Congo. The huts are all surmounted by
conical roofs, which are from 4 to 5 yards high, and reach nearly down
to the ground, and these are covered over with great prickly leaves
which give to these primitive abodes a very singular character.
When first the expedition was making preparations to disembark,
the natives congregated on the banks, and appeared to be assuming
a threatening attitude, as if disposed to prevent a landing being
effected. Stanley sounded his steam-whistles, and the extraordinary
noise so startled them that they took to their heels. By degrees,
however, they found their way back, and being enticed by a few
presents, and by kindly words, soon became on friendly terms.
The camp was pitched at the foot of the first rapids, on the slope of a
steepish hill about 20 yards in height. It was enclosed by a palisade,
and on the sides that were open to attack it was protected by a broad
fosse, with bastions at the angles. Inside it was partitioned off into
three divisions, the upper of these being occupied by the huts of the
Europeans, not arranged in any symmetrical order; the centre by the
Zanzibaris and the police-guard; the lowest set apart for the quarters
of the Soudanese and for the powder-magazine.
Whilst Lieutenant Stairs and Mr. Jameson were superintending the
construction of the camp, Stanley was engaged in organising the scheme
of his expedition. The main features of his plan were these: he would
form an advance caravan, consisting of some 300 or 400 porters, and of
these, with the assistance of about four of his subordinates, he would
himself take the command. With this caravan he would proceed towards
Lake Albert, mainly following the course of the Aruwimi, and using the
river, wherever it should be practicable, for the transport of baggage
and invalids. The point on the lake which he contemplated reaching was
Kavalli, a small village on its southern extremity.
Yambuya and Kavalli lie pretty nearly in the same latitude, and the
distance between them was over 300 miles, which Stanley hoped, if no
impediment arose, that he should accomplish in about two months; but of
course he felt it quite questionable what difficulties he might have to
contend with along a route of which he had not the slightest knowledge.
Then, next, whilst this march was being made, the encampment would have
to be left with the remainder of the baggage under the guard of 300
soldiers; the _Stanley_ and the _Peace_ would have to go down
to Stanley Pool to convey up Mr. Rose Troup and whatever had been left
behind at Leopoldville, as well as to bring on Messrs. Bonney and Ward
with 125 soldiers who were at Bolobo; and finally, when Tippoo Tib’s
promised contingent of bearers should arrive, the rear body should
follow on, upon Stanley’s track, which, so long as it traversed an
unknown country, should be indicated by the blazing of trees and by the
vestiges of the abandoned camps.
On the afternoon of June 22nd, the _Henry Reed_, with Major
Barttelot on board, arrived at Stanley Falls. It had already been there
on the 17th with Tippoo Tib, who was received with every demonstration
of delight. On parting, Tippoo Tib delivered to the Major several
letters, one of which was addressed to the King of the Belgians,
assuring his Majesty of his most devoted allegiance, and of his earnest
desire for the maintenance of peace in the district that had been
entrusted to his charge.
This was in June 1887. Since that time various accusations of treachery
have been laid against Tippoo Tib, but the conduct of the Arab chief
has been in every way honest and straightforward, entirely falsifying
all evil report.
The whole of the Upper Congo is now in the occupation of the agents
of the Free State. The Government steamers, as well as those in the
ownership of different missions and various mercantile firms, ply
freely between the Pool and the Falls, and so active is trade, that at
the close of 1889 nearly fifty tons of ivory purchased from the natives
and Arab dealers were sold in the Antwerp market.
Control of the camp at Yambuya, as well as the conduct of the second
caravan, was entrusted by Stanley to Major Barttelot, who would have
the assistance of Messrs. Jameson, Bonney, Rose Troup, and Ward. The
officers who were to accompany Stanley himself were Lieutenant Stairs,
Captain Nelson, Dr. Parke, and Mr. Mounteney Jephson. The caravan
altogether was 368 in number, and in addition to the sections of the
whale-boat, and the large stock of provision, it had to convey 300
loads of cartridges. A company of seventy-five soldiers, armed with
Winchester rifles and hatchets, under the orders of Lieutenant Stairs,
was told off, to go at the head of the column, and lay open a pathway
through the woods.
All preparations were complete by the 27th of June. Stanley had the
troops drawn up in marching order and subjected to a strict review.
Betimes next morning the expedition left Yambuya and made its entrance
upon the unknown. Who could tell what difficulties were before it? Who
could anticipate what dangers were to be met? Who could forecast what
hostility, what sickness, what famine might have to be endured?
But these things mattered not. The grandeur of the undertaking kindled
the energies of all alike; confidence and hope were strong. Had they
not, as a leader, the man who had saved Livingstone, the hero who had
traversed Africa from Zanzibar to Banana, the renowned rock-breaker
Boula Matari, the undaunted explorer, the keenest of diplomatists, the
very founder of the Congo State?
Forward, then, forward! Straight onward to the Nyanza!