The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1874-04-25

sheet, which, after he bad crushed the
bees inside, afforded him some protection
He crouched down IN this way for full
three hours, while the buzzing continued
uninterruptedly, and solitary stings pene.
tfated through the linen covering. Every
one on board pursued the same course, aud
gradually the burzing subsidized. AT length
some courageous fellows crept stealthily
70 the bank, and set fire to the reeds. The
smoke which rose blinded and stupefed
the bees 50 that the boat was successfully
driven beyond their reach. Free from
further apprehension, the sufferers pro-
ceeded TO examine their injuries. Some
Of the stings were extracted witch pincers,
but those which remained produced ulcers,
and even fever, which kept the whole boats
company in an uncomfortable state for
several days
The banks Of the White Nile are inhab-
tied by the Baggara Arabs as far south as
the boundary Of the Shillook aud Diuka
countries. Their tented camps were to be
seen all along the shore. Their wealth
consists simply of cattle. They arc not,
however, shepherds, but warlike from their
youth; they are bolder robbers than any
other of the Ethiopian nomad races, and
most fearless in the chase. The Nubians
Of Schweinfurth's party saluted the Bag,
CARA with loud cries Of aHabbabkum r
(goOd friends,) and the boat was often
stopped to purchase provisions from them,
a fine fat bullock costing only the small
sum Of three dollars.
The approach to the Shillook country
was indicated by the appearance now and
then Of a solitary Shillook drifting on the
water in his fragile boat. The Shilleok is
not entitled to the "habbabkum,n because
he is heathen he is Knocked with 'sWod-
e-Mek" (son Of king for greeting,
made to tell where he comes from aud
whittier he is going, and II he has any fish,
it is taken from him such is the practice
on every vessel. But the Shillooks are
also subject to Egyptian rule, and there is
no reason to doubt that in short time
they will enjoy equal rights with the other
subjects of the Viceroy, however insignif.
cant these may appear to be-
The Shillook tribe inhabits the entire
left bank of the White Nile, occupying a
territory about two hundred miles long and
about ten miles wide, and which extends
to the mouth Of the Gazelle River. This
territory is densely populated After the
subsection Of the Shillooks to the Egyptian
government census was taken, which re-
suited in an estimate Of about 200 900
souls. These Shillooks are the first tribe
of wild sayages which DR.. Schweinfurth
encounters. As his boat neared the land
ing Of the first village great crowd of
naked creatures swarmed together to re-
ceive him. The first sight Of a throng Of
sayages suddenly presenting themselves in
their complete nudity must make very
strange impression upon the traveller fresh
from the civilization Of Europe But the
Shillooks seemed to be equally impressed
with the fair skin and, more especially, the
fine straight hair Of the traveller. Indeed,
all through Africa, when Schweinfnrth
wished to confer great favor on the ma
tiyes in return for some courtesy, he allow
ed them, greatly to his own disgust, let it
be said, to feel of his hair. The Shillooks
are accustomed to arrange their own hair
in all manner of fantastic forms, which are
fastened with gum-arabic and ashes, some
, heads bearing resemblance to the comb
/ of a guinea fowl, others to helmet, or, 1t
may be, to huge fan. Even while they
are infants at the breast the work Of fast
ening the hair into some particular shape
/, is begun, and in time it becomes effectn-
ally clotted together, so as to permanently
retain the desired form.
These savages are accustomed to plaster
their bodies with ashes as a protection
against insects, which gives them thor
oughly diabolical aspect The movements
, Of their lean, bony limbs are 50 languid,
and their repose so perfect, that whoever
comes as novice among them can hardly
resist the impression thatin gazing at these
ash-gray forms he is looking upon mould
ering corpses rather than upon living be-
ings.
The only conception the Shillooks enter
tain Of higher existence is limited to their
reverence for certain hero, who is called
the Father Of their race, and who is sup
posed to have conducted them to the land
which they at present occupy. In case Of
famine, or in order that they may have
rain, or that they may reap good harvest
they call upon him by name They mag
inc Of the dead that they are lingering
among the living, and still attend them |;
f they cherish old traditions, and venerate
the memory Of their ancestors with all the
fervor that more civilized nations bestov
upon their religious belief
At Fashoda, small town provided with
garrison fort the maintenance Of Egyptian
, power, DR.. Schweinfurth stopped several
days in order to complete bis store Of pro
visions, and also to await the arrival Of
several boats which were to accompany him
to the Gazelle River. He improved the
time by making short excursions inland,
, and by Watching the customs Of the Shil-
: looks. The Egyptian governor Of this
portion Of the Shillook country appears 10
be complete sovereign, regulating not
Q only the public but also the private affairs
. Of his subjects. One day a young girl,
abashed and detected, came to him, and,
with her speech half choked BY emotion,
she besought him TO interpose bis authori-
~ to set aside the obstacles which her pa.
, rents threw in the way Of her completing
. her marriage engagement with young
Shillook, whose name was Yod The him
dsrauce to the wedding was simply the fact