Dr. George Grenfell, who did much to open up to civilization and
to Christianity the hinterland of the Kongo, was traveling in
the little steamer called the _Peace_ up a great tributary
of the Kongo which had never before been navigated by a white
man. Suddenly the craft was stopt and surrounded by a crowd
of canoes filled with natives. These were armed with spears
and their attitude was hostile and malignant. Dr. Grenfell
momentarily expected that some of the murderous weapons would be
hurled at him. But by a happy inspiration he called to his wife
who was in the cabin, “Show them the baby!” She rushed forward
and held out the infant she was nursing. The savages, amazed at
the sight of the first light-colored baby they had ever seen,
and charmed with its smiles and its entire lack of fear, dropt
their spears, smiled in their turn with delight, and at once
became the sincere friends of the missionaries. Thus once again
was verified the prediction, “A little child shall lead them.”
(361)