The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-02-28


upon him. Wonder, at the peculiar way in which
nature has fitted him for both land and water at
the strong flexible, rdgy tail, At the scaly armor
on his back and neck and the horny shield which
covers his eyes; amusement at the way In which
he takes his imprisonment his unconquerable
sulenness and the way In which he anects death
There can be no doubt that there are crocod1es IN
the Prah but so Tar we have escaped an accident
for which, In my opinion, we may congratulate our
selves
AFRICAN INDIANS.
We are collecting cattle here to an Important
number, but the mfsmanagement OF the ouperih-
tendence, In surrenderng them 10 the Charge VI
worthless natives, mas caused the loss Oh some VI
the finest OF them. Even the very nght "orh Vi
tending cattle requires TO be superintended Dy
a European otherwise the miserable Fantee per-
mits mis- charge to wander astray where hothng out
the most meagre vegetation can be procured for
their subsistence and where they drop down
ouietlv 10 the earth from sheer starvation.
Apropos OF the Fantees. the Kossos, tribe Of
hunters from Sierra Leone, VINO have the faculty
OF scouting and searching out paths and traces OF
human footsteps almost as much as our North
American Indians, have discovered the hiding
place OF the Fantees. Away, deep in tangled
woods. surrounded by tetid morass, an unin-
habltabe spot but one OF the best hiding places
that could be imagined, these deserters had sought
u
not find, into which no Fantee policeman could
penetrate unless guided thither by the unerrng
instinct OF Kosso man. Hitler they had invited
few trustworthy women who were made to pur-
vey food for them, while they enjoyed themselves
serenely after their brief period OF hard toll AMI
high wages. few bruised twigs, lew crushed
blades OF grass were sufcient for the Kossos, and
the trail was followed swiftly until the deserters'
lair was discovered and the recreants were
brought to camp for punishment. But In these
Businesses OF nature many such lairs might be
found, II 1t were worth while to discover them;
but time presses. The Kossos, as well as other
men, needed for other pressing services so that
the majority OF the deserters will never be appre
hended.
Furnishing THE NATIVES.
But justice Is to be melted out to the fogues who
have thus placed obstacles to our progress by not
only refusing to despatch their men TO aid the ex-
petition, but depressing from their way TO preach
sedition and mutiny among the disa1ectei still in
the employ Of Il British General. The King OF
Abra was tried by court and sentenced to be
shot. When Sir Garnet wolseley heard OF the
sentence he at once ordered that the King
should be hanged and not snot. The King was
traitor, and did his best by precepr and
example to dIsa1ect Others AS regards
the natives the English government cannot
be accused Of cruelty or injustice but certainly OF
gross lenency. The British have treated Africans
as we treat dainty children. They have petted
them and spoiled Them but they have never pun
ished them. Sir Garnet was one of the nrst to dis
cover this fact, and endeavored to act Justly by
hanging, or sentencing the King OF Abra to be
hanged. Leniency Is weakness with the vulgar
and ignorant, ana In future dealings with the
native Africans England will do well to remember
this. In great measure this excessive leniency
sLaIV hko min
for this statement are the Blue Books. Those who
care to read them vii! blush at the depth OF self
degradation the Colonial ONCE and its employees
have been guilty OF in their written intercourse
with the sable p0tentate of Ashantee in past times.
cannot say worse of England and her colonial
government than that in her intercourse with the
King OF Ashantee she has deeply INUNDATED her
self.
THE PRAH AND THE HUDSON IN WINTER.
But passing by such topics for the present, will
attempt to describe the vast difference that lies
between our life on the Prah and your life on the
Hudson. have the advantage over you for the
slightest effort OF the fancy. l can sketch New
York city and Its teeming population dwelling IN
der the rigid rule OF hard winter; the filthy snow
heaps ranged on each side OF Broadway; the long.
long lines OF animals struggling amid the debris OF
winter more than knee-deep; the cherries faces
OF the citizens made more cherries by the nipping
cold. and many more uncomfortable and dismal
things attending residence in New York during
winter. Can you imagine in your turn our Lille in
camp on the Prah, The terrible sun which has
death in its fierce, merclless neat. apoplectic
strokes in its beams; the dark earth steamIng hot
emitting its balelul vapor; the dense forest and
denser underground whence issues the fever which
lays many Of US PROSTATE in delirium; the long
continuous lines OF naked blacks bearing bur-
dens Of rice, -four, sugar, tea, beef, &C., to the
control Sheds the njacketed Of1cers who pass by
US complaining OF the heat and the assitude and
fatigue it so quickly engenders, the crowds in the
evening who hasten to cool taeir parboiled bodies
In the waters OF the Prah; the perspiring people
who defy the heat and the glare OF the tropics ana
sigh Tor one drop OF cool water to cool their ched
tongues.
SCARED SENTRY.
The newly arrived soldiers give us rich Jun.
Sailors have always carried OF the palm for ingenu
Gus sayings. but in this campaign am certain the
soldiers will win the day. What they have done
has coDvused our camp with laughter, and as 1t
may convuise you with benefit TO your heath, /
give 1t YOU The rife brigade, or, at least, por-
tion OF 1t, is encamped at place called Barrocoe.
1t may be remembered that Prince Arthur ID .
captain in this corps, and that the regiment has
very high reputation Tor galantry. soon alter Its
arrival at Barrocoe one OF the number was
pave" ~ IA sculiy at pace lOOkluB
the deepest part o the forest, whence issued dur
ing the darkest hours Of night q chorus
OF unmelodious sounds which we're some
times chorused by series OF harsh. unearthy
screams. The sounds caused by a laughing hyena
were as music compared to them; the shrill cry OF
the FISH eagle Is not half az alarming. These start
ling screams were uttered at regular intervals and
seemingly in close proximity TO the bewidered
sentry. He dared not fire, for to alarm the camp
by shot fred at random into the black forest
with the hope that the beast or whatever it was
might De frightened into silence was not to be
thought or But the sentry concluded that by pre-
pairing himself against attack by fixing his sword
bayonet he would be guarding himself in some
measure against any manifestations Of hostility
the beast might exhibit. Thus ne stood constantly
peering into the impenetrable darkness, vainly
seeking to pierce the almost palpabe blacKness OF
the night untL the relief party came round The