by the Government to make a second journey in order to trace the Alima to the Congo; to establish civilising stations, one on the Ogowé and one on the Congo; and to cultivate the friendship of the native tribes throughout the region.
The Chambers voted a grant towards the expenses, and he left France for Africa on the 27th of December, 1879—M. Ballay, his companion on the first journey, remaining behind to complete the preparations for the exploration, more especially the fitting out of a steamer that was to be used in the navigation of the Ogowé and the Alima. When the said steamer should be ready in sections, M. Ballay was to bring it out and join M. de Brazza. There is always a steamer in sections in every story of a good expedition, and that steamer is invariably a curse that costs men's lives, and M. de Brazza's steamer was no exception to the rule; but of that hereafter.
Two Europeans went out with de Brazza, M. Noguez and and M. Michaud. On landing on the Coast he organised his expedition at Gaboon, and ascended the Ogowé, the worst part of the journey being from Lembarene[1] to Boué, on account of the Fans all along this region, and the rapids along a great part of it, these having to be navigated through the Sierra de Cristal, owing to the wildness of the banks preventing portage. When these mountains are passed, however, there is an open park-like country where carriers can be employed, and you are no longer at the entire mercy of the flying furious river that makes this bit of the voyage from Njole to Boué a peculiarly choice spot. Beyond the Sierra del Cristal, moreover, de Brazza got in touch with the Okanda and Adooma tribes people less ferocious and more helpful than the Fans; and over these two tribes he attained a great influence, arranging with them the regular system of communication with Njole that at present goes on, the Adoomas conveying supplies up and down through the region of the rapids.
- ↑ Lembarene is now an official district under the charge of a Chef de Poste, whose residence is on Lembarene Island, and to the island the name of Lembarene is colloquially limited. The native name for the island is Ezange'-nenge'. In 1866 the name Lembarene was borne by one of the three Inlenga villages just below the confluence with the lake or lagoon Zele'.
