it was good to see those natives pull the boat, they did it with such cheerfulness and skill. Went to the P. O. to telephone to Tumba to Bro. Phipps but no communication in the p.m. so we went down & called on Mr. Harvy of the A.B.M.F.U. and found him all alone. We then went down to the C.B.M. and found that Mr. Clippingdale & Armstrong had gone down to Londe, where we are stopping and we wound up our bus. and went back to the station and found Bros. Armstrong & Clippingdale there and we had a nice little visit with them and were treated to "Malala" (limeade) soon afterward they took their departure, and in a short time we had supper and after prayers we retired to our room and after a pleasant conversation on the various topics which presented themselves on the African work we retired.

Thursday, Jan. 7 - 1897
Very much refreshed, I was called by the ringing of a bell - a large one - to get up. In a short time the breakfast bell rung the 1st in a short time another bell was rung & we repaired to the dining room where was spread a very inviting breakfast. After breakfast we had prayers which is the usual custom and then preparations were made for another trip to Matadi. We first called on Armstrong & Clippingdale who accompanied us to the P. O. where Armstrong had his guns stamped in order that he might hunt and carry firearms in Congo State. I then telephoned to Phipp at Tumba but could get no satisfaction much from him as some Frenchmen were talking somewhere between Matadi and Tumba and the only way I or he could get in a word would be to raise our voices above those who were talking. He said there was no place for us at Tumba but that he would write this day and let us know. Very satisfactory. (?) We then went back to Clippingdale's and from there back to the station again. In the afternoon a Mr. L. (Lothala) a native of San Salvador who has been with the missionaries about 15 years and who is a real nice fellow and a good Christian and good preacher, and has done lots of good among his brethren and by the way belongs to the Royal family for his brother is now King at San Salvador Came ref to Lunde from Underhill where he is taking care of the Station for the B.M.S. and we had a nice visit from him. Bro. Lapsley is buried at Underhill and we wanted to go there this p.m. with Bro. Lo. But Mr. Lagerin advised us to wait until a.m. and he would go
