The New York herald., 1874-12-03
AT FRIcA.
Mr.. Stanley's Expedition Into
Africa.
THE HARBoR OF KIRALO ISLAND.
Social Life Among the
Savages.
EXPLORATIONS ON THE SEA SHORE.

EXPLORATIONS ON THE SEA SHORE.
ZANZIBAR, Coast OF Africa, Oct q, 1874
The next day. delayed by calms and head wind,
ve east anchor In the harbor OF Kwsle Island.
The people are wangwana subjects Of the Zanzi-
bar Sultan, and may possibly number 800 souls,
nj told The one village which It boasts IL on the
western nde, close 70 the port. The island is SIT
uated In latitude deg. Is min, south. The mouth
OF the Dendeni River. on the mainland, II to be
seen nearly northwest OF Kwale.
The nrss thing that struck me az remarkable
on this island was the large number OF gigantic
ooaoao sreea 1t seemed to me, when well
screened from view OF the sea by foliage, that I
nad suddenly stepped into portion Of URogo.
1he next things that caused me surprise were the
very large and very small hens eggs that were
pronered to me for sale. The large eggs were OF
tne size OF geese eggs while the small eggs did
not much exceed In size pheasant eggs. Goats
were numerous and cheap; two were purchased
py rs at o dollar each. The people seemed not to
nave much occupation. Those who owned land
possessed domestic slaves to cultivate IL, while
they themselves chat and sleep, sleep and chat
frop morning until night, and through the night
TIN morning.
From Kwale we sailed after q nights anchor.
ege In the port, past the islands or Pembagu and
Koma, the latter OF which is inhabited by few
people who obtain precarious living by planting
millet and holcus ana by fishing, and steered
south straight for broad opening In the dense
foliage which lined the mainland. Arriving
before this opening, which We took 10 be-
one 81 tn6 mouths 81 the Runu River,
We were favored with stin nine.knot breeze
nom the southeast. ana as the water appeared
dark green, indicating considerable depth, we
sailed boldly in with all satl set. When quite
within this mouth we observed one broad avenue
OF water, leading south-southwest and another
south-southeast, equally wide, but being ignorant
Of the exact course OF the true river we anchored
At the distance OF mile and half rom the sea
CLOSE to that part OF the land near which the two
branches con1owed. When we had communicated
with this shore, which we ascertained to be the
Island Of Saninga we learned that led by accident
We mad halted but few yards from the spot where
the steam launch Of the Shearwater had anchored
IN 1873 prior to her departure up stream in 1873.
We had not been at our anchorage ten minutes
before colored gentleman Of stoutish build and
cleanly, good dnatured face was seen padding
Alongside our vessel, who introduced himself as
into English means Lord and Master Kombo, the
- -
according 10 previous generous act, he mad
brought with him 0 weighty chicken and three
fresh eggs which we reciprocaued with gilt or
royal Dabwani cloth.
Kombo, the son OF Ahad, chief Of saninga
Island-who, though the wangwana of his village
styled him "Jimr1e," prefer shall remain as he
designated himself-was wise and learned respect
ing the geography Of the Runu River. and volun-
teered, for the Information Of the curious white
people OF the white people's country, "Ul-
YAH" several interesting facts. The two
white men OF the "smoke boat,n DR.. Kirk and
Captain Wharton, he remembered perfectly.
They asked him endless questions, until he was
quite tired-"choka sana"-and put down ever so
many things In little book that he, Kombo, the
son OF Ahad, had told them.
every good. Is there much water in the Runji
River %
"Plenty." answered Kompo, confidently.
''Wnat do you call plenty ~
'Deep water-very Deep"
"Goodl How many pima 2" tathoms.)
Sometimes nve pima, sometimes four, some-
times three; but always plenty"
sDo you know this river from wha: you yourself
have seengt,n.
..No; 1 have never been up"
'Ahl then how do you know there Ia plenty Of
water In the river G'
"Huai have l not my people who 60 up ana
come downf'
"why do your people 60 up and come down ~
ITO trade, OF COURSE"
"what do they trade ~
,sThey take up salt ana cloth and bring me
mssn-durusi (gum copaN, which send to Zanzi.
bar to sell.n
'very good. Perhaps you can lend me one Of
your men who know this river to show me the
Soltr for Co. %hov p1a tn <h>
terror 7"
eyes; can let you have two, one OF whom
showed the way to the white men OF the smoke.
boat.p
We had entered the SImbooranga mouth Of the
Rufjl River, and we were told this was not the
largest debouchure OF the river Its noble breadth
OF surface, Its depth OF clear green water
promised well to us. In the centre OF the stream
m ocean steamer might noat In perfect security,
though there Is fall OF ten feet at lowest ebb IN
the water.
Sanlnga Island possesses one village and its
position before the mouth OF the river s indicated
by the presence or o few tall palm Trees which
rear thelf GRACEFUL LEAKAGE above the surrcandinc
vegetation. Looking westysru, s5ushward and
northward we note that the iwo branches Of the
broad streana. whs.ca connow near the simbooranga
mouth are bounded by 'league beyond league Of
gigantic iohage BY lofty SUBMITS OF resounding
mangrove woods. which grasp the depths and
grapple with the noods."
Dtngoti Island forms the southern boundary and
Simbooranga Island the northern boundary Of this
noble entrance to the Ruff delta. Near the shore
Of Saninga there were two small dhows, which are
employed In conveying wood for building purposes
to Zanzibar. Sometimes they alEo convey rice and
gum copal tn that Arabian port.
Afew Banians live on Dingoti Island, who keep
COWS and cultivate the ground, and sometimes
trade with the villages mp the RunJ for rtce which
IL of Q most superior quality.
Early next morning after our arrival in the Sim
booranga. We sailed up the right branch. which
came from the southwest Our two promised
guides accompanied rs. That the reauer may
o. tne stream We were about to ascend, to
save needless repetition 1t must be borne In mind
cnuaed xeaaal To- ara foo4 of, M