New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1857-02-23
Adventure in Africa.
By CAPT. MARRYATT.

l. 81 b
Unnamed my boats and went on shore for the ivory
that was left found that it would take the whole
day to embark it, as we had to go TWO miles fnrther
up the river than the depth OF water would permit
the vessel to do for the ivory in hut close to
the kings house. sent of four boat LOADS, ana IL
being then noon went off with the fifth myself that
might get dinner 4s the me- aae r ma'e
who messed in the cabin As we were in the middle I
of the stream the boat struck against stump OF |
tree, we supposed, and knocked SO large hole IN
| the bows that she began to fill.
Immediately ordered the men to pull for the near
est point which on the opposite side of the river
that we might ground the boat to prevent her sinking
The first mate, who was very active man, finding |
that the elephants teeth prevented his reaching the
bow Of the boat and stuffing into il some oaknm
which he had found in the stern Sheets sounded with
the boat hook, and finding that there was not more
than three feet of water where we were pulling,
Jumped over the bows toput the oakum into the hoe
but the poor fellow had not been but few seconds
in the water when he gave shrek, and we perceived
| that large shark had snapped him in two.
This was sad mishap, and the men, terrified,
1 pulled as hard as they could, while two OF them
baied out the boat to gain the shore, for we knew
] what fats awaited US il we sank in the river. With
| great exertion succeeded, running her up among
I the canes, which grew the side of the river so
thick that it was difficult to force our way through
them.
out the ivory we found that whole plank was rent
out and it was impossible to repair our boat and we
were hidden by the canes from those who could have
assisted us had they known that we required their
assistance and we had possible means OF communl-
cation At last thought that if could force my way
through the canes to the point down the river could
hail and make signals fer assistance, and, desiring
the men to remain by the boat, set of upon my
expedition. 4.s-
i At first got on pretty well, there were little
paths through the canes made, as imagined, by the
natives and although was up to my knees in thick,
black mud continued to get on pretty fast, but at
last the canes grew so thick that could hardly force
4 nv way through them, and it was work of Excess
sive labor. Still persevered expecting each second
that should arrive at the banks OF the RIVER ana be
worse it appeared FOR me, and at last became worn
out and quite hewildered.
Then It tried to find my way back and was equally
unsuccessful and I sat down with anything but
pleasant thoughts in my mind calculated that
had been two hours in making this attempt, and was
now quite puzzled how to proceed. bitterly
lamented my ashness, now that it was too late;
: Having reposed little, resumed my toll, and
was again, after hours exertion, compelled, from
fatigue, to sit down in the deep black mud Another
respite from toll, and another or more of exeron,
and gave myself up for lost. The day was evi-
IDENTIFY fast closing in, the light overhead was not
: near so bright as it had been, and / knew that
night passed in the miasma of the cane was death.
At last it became darker and darker. There could
f not be an hour of daylight remaining. determined
I? upon one more struggle, and reeking as | was with
= Precipitation and faint from fatigue, rose again
and forcing my way through the thickest OF the
j. canes, when heard deep groWl and perceived
II large panther not twenty yards from me-
J. It was on the well as was, attempting to
force his way through the hckes OF the canes SO as
t, to come to me. retreated from him as fast as
il could but he gained slowly me- and my strength
e was fast exhausting. thought heard sounds at
r distance, and they became more and more distinct
but what they were, my fear and my struggles proba
h bly, prevented me from making out. My eyes were
fixed upon the fierce animal who was in pursuit OF
h me- and now thanked God that the canes were so
thick and impossible. Still the animal evidently
gained ground until it not more than five yards
n from me, dashng and sprnglng at the canes, ana
Q tearing them aside with his teeth.
e The sounds were now nearer, and | made them out
lie to be the howngs OF other animals moment
N pause and thought it was the baying of dogs, and
& thought that have arrived close to where the
es schooner laid and that heard the baying of The
n bloodhounds AT last l could do no more and
er dropped exhausted and almost senseess IN the mud
recollect hearing the crashing of the canes, ant
sc then the savage roar, and then yels and grows ant
re- struggles and fierce contention, but had tainted
r 1 must now inform the reader that about an hou
y after had left the boat the captain of the slave
was pulling up the river, and was hailed by our mel
No. in our long boat Perceiving them shore on tina
ms side Of the river and that they were IN distress
- pulled towards Them and they told HIM what ma
KS happened and that an hour previous had lett th
me- boat to force my way through the cane brakes an
nn they had heard nothing Of me since.
rr Madness " cried he He is o lost man. Sta
M till come back from the schooner"
NJ He went back to the schooner, and, taking Two {
his crew who were negroes and his two bloodhound
Y; into the boat he returned Immediately and as 500
he landed, he put The b!oOunounus Oh my tIaC
90 and sent the negroes on with them. They had TO
on lowed me in all my wndings for it appeared that
ed travelled in every direction and had come up wit
tn me just as had sank with exhaustion, ana IN
wv panther was so close upon me.
- The bloodhounds had attacked the panther, an
m this was the noise which sounded in my ears as la
No stupefied at the mercy of the wild beast The par
to ther was eventually although not easily overcome
''o and the black men coming up had found me- an
o borne me in state of insensibity on board OF til
40 Sparrow Hawk. The fever had come on me, and
le Was ho' un.ii .A..I .a, - 7 re ,ou FILA !
si the reader.
wv ... .,ronorr or ANnpEw STEVENSON AND Mr. FILL
r "a NoRE--Tbe death of the distinguished Virginia