The current is about seven miles per hour. It takes
about 8 hours to go from Banana to Boma, and about 3
hours from Boma to Banana. Bro. Armstrong is 0K. this
pew. We have just had our little prayer meeting and
now I am ready to retire. Hal Here comes a little bird
into the salon - it is dark with a head very like a dove
it is white under its wings and where its tail joins its
body but the tip of the tail is very dark. it is web-
footed and seems very quiet in our presence ~ we can
handle it and it is not afraid. When we turn it loose
it goes down into the water and comes up on deck again
to the light - it cannot raise itself to fly from the
deck or ground, but from the water it can do as well as
any ground bird. It is characteristic of all sea birds,
that they cannot fly from the ground. Our friends, the
Belgians are having a glorious time drinking, singing
and playing. It will be almost impossible to go to

sleep, I'm afraid even if I retire now, however, I ama
going to attempt so now good-night.

Dece 29 - Tuesday

After camping all night in the mouth, or near it, of the
Congo, we start up that great stream about 9 o'clock this
@eme On our right as we ascend is land, and now on our
left we can see land which we are making for, for just
around the bend is that place which I have mentioned
before, Banana. In the course of time we come to Banana
but had a terrible time before we stopped. I think we
turned 4 or 5 times around & round before the pilot
decided to enter into the little harbor. Finally we got
in € 12n. and several came on board. I met a Mr. Cotes
one of the Dutch Co. employees. In the afternoon when
it got cooler I went ashore and took a peep at the little
peninsula. It has a great many cocoanut trees and they
are full of nuts. There are a number of good houses but
all very low - they cover a good deal of ground but are
not very high. A nice cool breeze all the time and
especially in the afternoon. Musquitoes are plentiful
little black fellows, akin to the Negro you know. I met
several of the members of the Dutch House. About 9
otcloek this eve we had our little prayer meeting and
then now we retire good night.
