Stanley's Difficulties With the Natives.

Te Aroha News, Volume III, Issue 116, 22 August 1885, Page 6

Stanley's Difficulties With the Natives.

Bula Matari is the name by which Stanley is known among the Congo natives. At one of his new stations Bula Matari had many and dangerous difficulties to overcome with the rival chiefs. The following entry in his diary is a curious case in point : — *' March 30fch : A formal accusation was sent to Ngalyema against his son Enjeii for five offences. Ist : Of having locked me up in my room and absconding with the key, that had caused me to command through a window that he be arrested, and the key taken from his person. 2nd : Of having, after passing over the first offenpft. fthakpm » spear at me defiantly on the public terrace, loudly saying, ' See how easy it would be for me to kill Bula Matari now.' 3rd : Of having cried out on the same day, * Look through the windows, and see what nice things Bula Matari has got. Some day my father will c»rry all away.' 4th: Of having hidden Urnself behind the staircase leading to the upper story, to listen to what I had to say at a palaver with Biyanzi strangers from upriver. sth : Of having Baid to his brothers, after most of the people had gone out to the station to carry the meat of a shot hippo, ' Oh, if Ngalyema only knew how few people Bula Matari has got with him now, my father could kill all who are here and seize upon everything !' A warning that any other such dangerous speeches uttered in the hearing of any man in the station would be instantly followed by arrest, sound flogging, and a heavy fine."