Smyrna times., 1857-01-07
selett StlistelIanp,
An Adventure In Central Africa.

hn huNcntuIo III OcnI1d1 AII1Cds
managed to start our Kruboys with the bag
gage by halfpast ones and then as only one
horse was brought, Mr.. Guthrie, as the oldest
of the, party, was mounted, while DR.. Hutchin- |
son and agreed to walk on in the hope of the
others being brought after us. When. however,
we had got about mile on our way, seeing no
sign of the steeds, DIR. Hutchinson declared that
he would return and inquire about them, while
I resolved to proceed, telling him that he might
overtake me. | accordingly went on my way,
picking up few plants, and examining the
rocks and the soil. ...t. .4.:..,l ri
Having got to the bottom of the hill, and
finding the road as before very wet, pulled off
my shoes and stockings and went barefooted,
that being by far the easiest mode Of progress
sion along path of this description. In this
way l had walked along for from seven to eight
miles, when lost almost all trace Of the path.
Having ascertained by my compass the position
of the river, endeavored to work my way in
that direction, but soon got more entangled than
ever. climbed up severaltrees to look around,
but C uld not discover single guiding mark.
| was completely in the bush, the grass and
bushwood being so long, thick, and close, that
every step took was a severe exertion. 1t was
now past sunset, and getting rapidly dark, and
as it was only too evident that had lost my
way without any chance of betterlng myself
the next question came to me how should pass
the night. The most comfortable and safest
spot seemed to be up tree, so tried one, and
got as high as could, but did not much relish
my quarters. All the others near me were too
small, but | recolected having observed some
time before tall Baobab, which determined
again to search after. ! took good mark, so
that if unsuccessful in my cruise, still might
have something to fall back upon, and starting
with good run to clear the grass, was fortu.
nate enough in a few minutes to get glimpse
of the wished.for harbor of refuge. Luckily
for me it had q double trunk with distance
between of about two feet; 50, tying my shoes
together, and casting them over my shoulder
placed my back against the one trunk, and my
feet against the other, and so managed to climl
until had got hold of branch by which
swung myself further up, and finally got into
spot about twelve or fifteen feet from the ground
Here placed myself on branch, about foo
in diameter; projecting at nearly right angles
and by leaning against the main trunk, an
stretching out my legs before me, found ] ha
tolerably comfortable seat, whence | nigf
peer into the surrounding obscurity. Th
. night, fortunately, was not very dark, the stsl
CLEANED over head, while vivid flashes of ligh
ming over the neigbboring bills enabled II
10 from time to time, to cast momentary glanC
around me. l got on my shoes and stocking
as protection against insects, then passed
piece of cord loosely round the branch, SO tn
= could pass my arm through and steady m
self. and finally made preparations for rePos
by kicking two places in the bark Of the tr
for my heels to rest in. :. ,... s.. .o.. :
,ut About eight o'clock distinctly heard in I
on- distance the hum of human voices, and shout
old to try and attract attention, but to no avail
ted lieving, however, that there were some HI
.de near. marked the direction by large tree.
yht Feeling rather tired, lay down on my ia
der along the branch, throwing my handkerch
Oh, over my head, and passing each of my har
i've iuto the opposite sleeve, to prevent them fr'
en- being bitten, was soon 10 state cf eblivN
and must have slept upwards of four hours, VIII
low I aweke rather stiff, from my constrained pc
for ton, and have to try a change of attitude.
do pass the time lit cigar, and as had but o
:; / only smoked half of it, carefully putting bi
It in the remainder TO serve for my breakfast.
l.. f,lli okafo nd fPon
here Vulnerable were celebrating nocturnal org
SO huge musqitoes, making noise as loud as b'
'ked we're assaulting me on all sides, and some 10
on! birds were roostng in the tree over my he
eie- tried in vain TO doze away the heurs, b
7 be had had my usual allowance Of sleep, and
axes being a bigoted partzan of the drowsy /
,age' even when really required his aid, he ref
ball. to attend to my invocations. watched ,
me : most painful interest the rising and settnI
* up various consultations, and was at length
some lighted with the appearance of Venus, show
o me that morning was now not far off, al
and novelty next presented itself 10 the form of
y -. dry denizens of the forest, crowding to
J ball homage to their visitor. Howls Of various
Q bis grees of intensity continually reached my
nsing some resembling more the high notes oi
rtsin, byeua. with occasional variations, and ot
.g.I ..,,s., ,o me-, ba;no unouestiousblv II
!, 49, deep bass Of the leopard. 4 once fancied
=-=-l a figure moving not far from me. but coul'
oriag be positive. s"'t'n'. 't''''"s ,.-'..l...,
Foan- AS light gan to suffase itself over the
must ern sky, my nocturnal companions grad
/" ~ retired. until at last was left alone. ye
x. solitary. for that could not be, as long q
!" sss incessan. buzzing in my ears told me tha
: '"s. LiIIiputian winged antagonists were ye
~ - wesried 10 their attacks. and still unsal
isctsd with blood. :. Al. length, az grey dawn WI
le had ing supplan,ed BY brighter daylight. Iven
10 descend from my roosting- place. where
I'll sqieiS