Windham County Democrat. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1836-1853, 1853-09-28
From Sharpe's Magazine for July.
Slave Hunting in the Deserts of Sahara
by HORACE ST. JOHN.

Slave-Hunting in the Deserts of Sahara.
BY HORACE ST. JOHN.
From the bondman, trembling under a scourge
on the American plantations, we sometimes turn
to Africa, the mother of bondage, who FORCES tet-
tiers for her own children. OF the iron dug from
her own mountains these chains are made and the
tribes of the sons of Tubal Cain beat and shape
them on her own soil. In the solitude of those
central deserts man keeps the gate open to his en-
envy. The sword never found passage thither
Nothing but gold penetrated the Sahara
It's dwellers were never conquered by an AleXan-
der or a Caesar, but any trucking kidnapper can
corrupt them. It a bitter witness to the broken
faith of man with man. to creatures born
der the pledge of a compact and natural law be-
traying, selling and degrading one another; but
the most miserable sight in the whole range of
human debasement is that Of the beginning Of the
slaves sorrow. He is ptiable when he has grown
old in serviudc, but still more pitiable when the
ankets and manacles are and bright upon
his limbs, when liberty still fingers in his thoughts,
like the sweetest taste of childhood, and he is torn
from home, casting long, wretched hopeless look
behind.
Remote in the wilderness of Central Africa sla-
very brings forth its offspring. There, among
beautiful hills and cases, watered by delicious
springs, with date-groves shading hamlets which
seem all pleasantness and peace, mothers nurse
the young brood which is to pine and toll, and
perish in the sugar and tobacco grounds of Cuba
or the Western Continent.
Melancholy everywhere, the slave system is
most melancholy in Central Africa. For, in those
distant countries, defended on all sides by deserts
and only made accessible by the cupidity of man,
we perceive the slave in his original home enjoy
ing that happiness which harmonizes with his ma
ture and is interrupted by the stealth or violence
Of NO kidnapper
We may JC Gey of the once iam0 of 1 ana
dor hurled deep in the centre OF 4ic;ca tits pic
tnrcsouelv situated amid unduatons Of green hills
with snrinkles Of gigantic knobs.
nv great trade of the kingdom is in savos
who are classed in peculiar manner; the men
are assorted into those who have beard, tbose
who have none and those who have beard be-
ginning; while the women are valued according
TO the size and shape Of their bosoms The hest
OF them 60 to the city of Nitle, to be there shin
ped for America. There is an immense traffic in
these slaves who are exchanged for American
goods, which are to be found in these markets
more abundantly than those of any other country
1he chlet save-hunters in these kingdoms are. of
course, the kings themselves Some of them oo
out once year, others once month"; and ON va
Tlous pretences, though many openly avow the
purpose OF their expedition. Formerly. when the
rulers were Moslem, and the people idoators, a
religious cry covered the shame of the kidnapper.
but the whole population became Mahommedan.
and then the faithful hunted the faithful as saw
agely as they had before hunted the Kafirs or in
hueis Ihelr common plan is this A chief To-
ments quarrel with some town or VILLAGE with
III his territories. urnn AT Ae.tIon ana
then, to vindlcate his rights marches forth and
captures all the inhabitants. In order to enjoy
this privilege he pays tribute to the Great Sheik
or Lord of Bornou.
A regular razzia or slave-hunt in the Sahara,
Is perhaps the most extraordinary of all the ope-
ratlons invented by man TO obtain wealth. For
some time before, there is generally a rumor in
the city that this event is to take place. and great
is the excitement in the bordering countries until
it is known in which direction the Sa,kee or gov
ernOr will march. This village is now named,
and now that; but mystery usually prevails till
within few days OF the start. Meanwhile, small
parties are sent out from time to time to steal
family or two, to exchange for certain nuts which
the sarkee is pleased to like. Then. PERTAINS. n
boy pliers a little fruit Public Justice must be
vindicated! He is sold in the bazaar, and NOT
only he, but his father, mother and sisters, and
perhaps the whole circle of his relations, the mon
ey being appropriated by the chief.
Gradually, however, the plan of the great raz
za is completed A thousand slaves are required
SO many to be sent to the sheik, so many to
be distributed among the inferior traders and so
many to be kept by the sarkee. If a common
man catches five, three belong to him and two to
his feuda master if lie catches two each has one
Tor his share. Thus the whole population has an
interest in the result Of the expedition; and all
join with glee to chase the peaceful villagers of
the contiguous country, and bring them home, des-
olate in chains Five thousand cavalry, and thr-
ty thousand bowmen assemble on a plain near the
city; the drums of Finder beat the people shout
and gaudy flags and emblems stream in the sun
and away goes the cavalcade with as much pomp
and pride as Napoleon's legions winding along the
heights to conquer at Marengo.
After several days journey, the army reaches
a country where slaves may be caught, and dis
perses itself to the several cities and villages
Sometimes the people defend themselves herocal-
ly with their bows and arrows; flying to the sum
mits of rocks, and selling their liberty dearly
Often, however, they are surprised while they are
preparing their meals, or dancing or celebrating
a bridal feast and then the enemy rush in, seize
them, chain, and bear them INCREASINGLY away.
Il the hamlet be girt with stoekades, garrison of