with us in a boat when it would be cooler. So we are
to visit the Grave of Bro. Lapsley in the morning. The
day has passed off very pleasantly and we have now had
supper and prayers - and God's blessing upon us so we
will retire.

Friday, Jan. 8 - 1897
Awakend this a.m. by the ringing of the big bell. We
arose and got ready for breakfast. Just before going
in to breakfast, however, it began to thunder and a big
cloud appeared in the east which warned us of approaching
rain - and while we were eating we had it - and quite a
hard one too. So our trip to Underhill is up for today.
Just now the Heron has passed up to Matadi from some
place down the river  it is 10 o'clock a.m.  Probably
we will hear some news of Edward Bohlen or the Theckler
Bohlen on which vessels our good are.  Bro. Armstrong
was to leave this a.m. on the train for Tumba and I
suppose he has gone. Yes he has gone to Tumba.  And may
God bless him and the two boys he has with him.  The
Edward Bohlen came up this p.m. about 2 o'clock but we
could not find out whether we could get our goods off
on the train Monday, or not.  You see the R.R. in a way
is connected with the state, and gives the state prefer--
ence in every thing.  I think, though tomorrow I will
hear from Phipps and if there is any place at Tumba we
will go up at once.  After coming back from the ship I
took a notion I would go to the Eng. trading house, just
across the hollow, and as I was going down the path, I
looked around & to my great astonishment there was
Morrison bound for the same place.  So we went over
together and met a Mr. Frank chief of the House & Mr.
Ross who spoke very highly of Dr. Snyder, but could not
understand Mr. Verner, nor did he form a good opinion of
him.  I met a Mr. Mumford also there who is connected
with the house at Boma but who is now here on a visit.
Mr. Frank, who has had some dealings with Mr. Verner
thought him a very foolish man that he did not know the
value of money nor time, that he must have had a mint
behind him somewhere..  But he did not want Mr. V. to know
that he ssid this as he was particularly interested in
the amounts of money that he spent with him.  These
three gentlemen went up the little creek just behind
"Londe" and there had a good bath and a little swim.
