CHAPTER X. STANLEY POOL. Stanley Pool: history and description—River network of the Upper Congo—Mangale and Mense—European settlements—Leopoldville —Arrival of the relief expedition—Means of transport—The Stanley and the mission-boats—Contention with the American Baptist Mis sion—Letter from Stanley to London Committee—Intervention of Commissary at Leopoldville—Transport assured—“Better than could be expected”—Deficiency of food and reported famine—Van guard despatched under Major Barttelot—Embarkation at Inchassa —On the way to the Aruwimi. A glance at the map at once makes it evident that the Congo, before making its way to the wild ravines of the falls, opens out into a large expanse of about nine square miles, approaching to the circular in form, on which Stanley has bestowed his own name, designating it “ Stanley Pool." In all the narratives of the Congo exploration no name is of more frequent occurrence than that of this important lake; no place has been more repeatedly the subject of dispute, as none can have a greater political significance, whilst nowhere has the progress of European occupation been more