Identifier: voicefromcongoco00ward (find matches)
Title: A voice from the Congo : comprising stories, anecdotes, and descriptive notes
Year: 1910 (1910s)
Authors: Ward, Herbert, 1863-1919
Subjects: Ward, Herbert, 1863-1919 Africa, Central -- Description and travel Africa, Central -- Social life and customs
Publisher: New York : Charles Scribner's Sons
Contributing Library: University of Connecticut Libraries
Digitizing Sponsor: University of Connecticut Libraries

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s too strong an influencefor him. 188 A VOICE FROM THE CONGO Ignominiously he gathered up his shield, andplucking his spear from the ground, he trailed itafter him as he retired. I noticed a peculiar smile on Stanleys face as theincident closed. Once when talking with Stanley about nativecharacter, I casually alluded to the extraordinarymystery that our sudden arrival must have caused.I tried to picture the impression we made upon thenatives with our great number of Zanzibaris, Sou-danese, and Arabs. Stanley remarked somewhatimpatiently: My dear fellow, in this world we cant stop tothink about the impressions we create. No time forthat sort of thing. When leaving me in charge of the Bolobo camp,Stanley shook hands with me warmly, and said: Well, Ward, look after your men. Dont rushinto any fighting. Keep peaceful. But, mind you,if you have to fight—fight! Good-bye, and Godbless you. ***** Transporting Stanleys boxes down country, therewas one large box slung on a pole which required
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STANLEY 189 two carriers. This particular box caused me endlesstrouble in the villages I passed through. It is not etiquette among Africans to ask a visitorhis business, or the object of his visit. However, onthis occasion their curiosity proved too strong, andthey departed from their rule. There was a generalopinion that this box contained a corpse. On one ortwo occasions we were, in fact, on the verge ofserious trouble, for attempts were made to stop myprogress in certain villages. The natives refusedto sell me food, or to allow me to camp near them.I assured them that the box did not contain any-thing like a corpse. Well, show us the inside,said they. The box was locked, and I had nokey. I was therefore unable to prove the truthof what I said. Then go back! Leave our coun-try! We will not allow you to pass by here, theyanswered. In reply to a complaint concerning the lack ofproper food that was made by a band of his com-panions, in the early days of the formation of theCongo Indepe

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