© 2007 Institute of Current World Affairs
The Institute awards long-term fellowships to develop a deep understanding of an issue, country, or region outside the US and to share that understanding with a wider public.
Institute of Current World Affairs - Home Page

Below is a hobbled text version of a PDF document.
In order to read the actual document please click the link below and register if necessary.
(One-time registration is free and very quick.)
Read article

3/12/1955 - Belgian Congo Settler by Peter Bird Martin

NOT FOR PUBLICATION INSTITUTE OF CURRENT WORLD AFFAIRS Sternwheeler Nelne A Belgian Oongo Settler En Route Oono Stanleyville Leopoldville March Mr WAlter S doers Institute Current World Affa Fifth Awenue New York New York Dear Rogers The Kapona better worse other roads southwestern Belgian Cono But First automob trouble Africa result spent Ccngo settler We early morning itwas about afternoon across Luvua River halfway Kapona It especially river hills either glare water It relief climb diver valley scarpment through patch thick forest mountain hundred right But reached escarpment started across rollin country risin ahead The cotutry empty We another truck since Piana Mwanga other Then climbed little around curve there noise stone hittin underside I stopped It noise Northern Rhodesian Oopperbelt through Elizabethville Jadotville covered stones places where single track middle enough brush pebbles chassis tiruous pinin sound The noise louder others And clear rinin which would meant stone somebhin harder itself bounced harmlessly When I kneeled peered under I pouring bottom steady stream I feeble efforts pluEin Eave contented myself catching remaining cooking It until followin morning I rubber patches moving towards Kapona I stopped every check leakage patches merely place black friction still about miles began I house above steep drive When stopped stone terrace front house Julie I hurled ourselves shoved under stream Two Africans towards complete unconcern though every occurrence manda woman roarin house their hands under I asked where bwana identical dolegul expressions Bwana es___t mor_t Moss couldn written better Tactgully I conversation about bicycles wealth might Kapona speedy return friction gallon The Africans quickly explained there another bwana living other I followed Africans smart We practically trotted whole distance about before weathered brick standing overlookin rolling valley The build brick front veranda neatly marked whitewashed stones An electricity generating windmill whirred breeze Africans repairing wheeled looked rolled painting Millet The African garage An bodied Chevrolet truck stood outside steps I office At youngish haired wearing often washed khaki shirt He writing fountain I knocked frame looked around invite khaki shorts standard dress Central Africa heavy shoes I still panting climb shook hands moments I straight backed chair beside without sayin anything at_teg_de moment while I breath Then I introduced myself Jean Lebrun spoke little English explained learned while serving Royal Na England during World War II I happened smiled I African bicycle passed during afternoon night morning It lonely I asked friction about answer there footsteps stairs woman She about blonde curled under great style popular United States during Her dress modish print would expect woman living stores choose Sears Roebuck catalogue everyday She looked inquisitively asked husband French I I wanted He answered telling I broken needed adding about She bemoaned Jean Inhospitality chosen words turned halting English Would coffee I I would waiting return Perhaps coffee I gratefully Jean truck fetch Julie Mrs Lebrun I walked towards house It It lonely My living leave return Brussels husband He doctor I asked where learned speak English I England during answered Is where husband I PBM Oh That Belgique where I after She malried before Jean scheduled leave Belgium Geomines Belian Government owned mining company Congo He behind joined months later That little three years Since I learned later Jean eomines farming Their brick house manager house house other where illing blood oWner Re months before returned Belgium leavin whole place Jean hands The Lebruns produced children Patrick enough thins tables three month screamer French soIded Becky Becky beginning noises inside house steps veranda Lebrun found towel Of showed bathroom while Becky Africa wonderful country I never fully aware I stood front bathroom mirror Where would perfectly respectable farmer ready drive Chevrolet leaving children doubtful mercies straggly bearded American wildly uncombed grease underside automobile spread liberally fingernails smashed hands grimy bleeding Clothi covered mixture Congo engine I stripped waist cleaned myself I could turned sinkln heart dirty shirt again There knock Jean holding clean white shirt Put I argue When I coffee brewing table individual contraptions We talked smoked strong Oongo cigarettes yellow packet Jean I hi__s because spoke affection rietary though prices brought Manono Albertville pocket He spoke difficulties obtaining water wanted build resevoir house water would carried during season He plans increase demand rowing Albertville Jean I women drove house truck On When I asked Gonoo young married thins difficult Belgique There My Natives there persons So comes Oongo I asked about political rights Natives I worry myself politics We arguments about rights Natives added smile There At house Jean surveyed wreckage Eis African foreman riding truck cussed problem repair mixture Swahili French Finally Jean PBM turned I think couleur almost _og_uleur I before tractor leaking Oil While spoke I imagine world oouleur_ besides Jan puzzled tried translate Oou L_a peitur_e He through motions painting We after We pushed MG vacant garage bwana drove around again Before Jean foreman engine drying paint I along I curious relationship existed between Jean African labor We I noticed there vision Inside tools spare parts Ohevrolat tractor Jean foreman searched together liftin crates boxes steel trunk corner There shouts command cries anger foreman crate before Jean ready causing Jean grasp heavily floor They simply working together There friction little If Kapona there Jean It little He explained foreman going after lunch Then walked towards house Do havre difficulties Native labor I asked Jean laughed No difficulties I I Finished If The ative commands others Boss I The Very intelligent There somethin He would Belgique There armers qative kibokol atives understand beating But Natives without kiboko It I enough seemed pleased remark rinned Lmch magnificent although Lebrun apolo6izing beAng psychic enough coming I thrown balance preliminary mountain meats cheeses tomatoes lettuce sardines boiled though whole Then later steak potatoes endive fruit dessert During talked evacua Tachens Jaan worried meant another II I beginning It would fight another After lunch collected foreman repair materials house The three board covers under The foreman pried stiff puttylike paint Jean packed jazzed I wired inner protection When finished crawled The foreman truck Julle Jean I stood terrace overlookin vlley It beautiful country I Yes Jean wiped hands turpentine soaked There farming More Belgique Even lions cattle We lions there enough cattle remaining Do think Europeans Africa I asked Jean shrugged shoulders problem south I It country children I think continue Natives The foreman Julie whose wrapped around bundle fruit Lebrun given We poured precious engine waved goodbye Jean started driveway towards curved eneath terrace could Jean standing there watching He waved again grove trees Sincerely Peter Bird Martin Received New York