“He told me at the same time that he informed Mr. Casement that his hand was cut off either by a soldier or, perhaps, by one of those working for the white men (travailleurs de blanc), who have been making war in his village with a view to the collection of rubber, but he asserts that the account which he has given me to-day is the truth.
“(Signed) E. E. Faris.
“Bolengi, October 17, 1903.”
The inquiry resulted in the discharge of the prisoner, which, so far as it concerned the Epondo question, was in the following terms:
“We, Acting Public Prosecutor of the Court of Coquilhatville:
“Having regard to the notes made by His Britannic Majesty’s Consul, on the occasion of his visit to the villages of Ikandja and Bossunguma in the territory of the Ngombe, from which it would appear that a certain Kalengo, a forest guard in the service of the La Lulonga Company,
“(a) Cut off the left hand of a certain Epondo;
“(b) ....;
“(c) ....;
“Having regard to the inquiry instituted by Lieutenant Braeckman, which partly confirms the result of the inquiry instituted by His Britannic Majesty’s Consul, but also partly contradicts it, and to the charges already brought against Kalengo adds that of having killed a native of the name of Baluwa;