Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1876-08-23

The savageS fast increased in numbers
and the hubbub grew greater. Violent
language and more violent action we
received without comment OF word on
our part. Spears were held in their
hands us if on the launch; arrows were
drawn to the head and pointed at each
OF us, with frenzied looks and eyes al
most bursting out of their sockets.
The apparently friendly savages
seemed to be now personifed furies.
Throughout all the scenes of civilized
and savage life which have witnessed,
| never saw mad rage OF wild fury
painted so true before on human feat
ureS. II led them to the verge of alb
surdity even. They struck the ground
and the boat. stamped, foamed at the
mouth. CRASHED their teeth, slashed
the air with their spears, but they
shed no blood. The Chief Shekka pre-
vented this, reserving that pleasure,
presume, for a more opportune time.
when a new excitement would be re-
CURED.
Our interpreters, in the meantime,
were by no means idle; they employed
to the utmost whatever gifts of per-
suaSion nature had endowed them
with and fear created in them, with
| out. however. exhibiting any serviitv
or meanness. Indeed, | was struck
| to admiration 10y the manly way in
which they stated our objects end pur-
poses in travelling on the Niyanza, and
| by the compoSure OF their bearing.
| The savages themselves observed this,
and commented on it with surprise.
This calm behavior of the crew and
Interpreters acted as a sedative on the
turbulence and ranting violence of the
savages, though it broke out now and
then, suffering titfully with the wild
est of gestures and most murderous
demonstrations.
For three hours ! sat in the stern
sheets of the boat, observing all these
preliminaries of a tragedy which | felt
sure was about to be enacted, silent,
except now and then communicating
suggestion to the interpreters, and
seemingly an unconcened spectator.
But ] was not idle. | wished to inn
pose on the savages by my behavior. l
was busily planning a resistance and
er, it only remained for us to be quiet
until they proceeded to acts of vio-
lence, and in the meantime endeavor to
purchase peace, or at least postpone
the strife.
Conformably with these IDEAS, the
Interpreters were instructed to offer
cloths and beads to the chief Shekka,
who appeared to have despotic author
ity over all, Judging from the reveren-
tial and ready obedience paid to his
commands. Shelka demanded four
cloths and ten necklaces of large beads !
as his price for permitting us to depart
in peace. They were paid to him.
Having secured them, he ordered his
people to seize our oars, which was
done before we understood what they
were about. This was the second time
that Shekka had acted cunningly and
treacherously, and IA loud, jeering
laugh from his people showed him how
much they appreciated his wit.
After Selling the oars, Shekka and
his people slowly went to their village
to eat their noon meal, and to discuss
what other measures should be ad0p-
ted toward the strangers. "A woman
came near us, and told us to eat honey
with Shekka, as it was the only way to
save our lives, for Shekka and his peo-
pie had determined to kill us and take
everything we had. The coxswain of
the boat was sent to protfer terms of
brotherhood to Shekka. The coXswain
was told to be at ease, no harm was in
tended us, and on the next day Shekka
promised he and his people should eat
honey and make lasting and sure. broth
erhood with us.
The coXswain returned to us with
triumphant looks, and he speedily com
municated his own assurance to the
crew. But / checked this over-conti-
dence and trustfulneSs in such cunning
and treacherous people, and told them
to trust in nothing save our own wit,
and by no means to leave the neigh
bOrhood of the boat, for their next act
would be to seize the guns in the same
manner as they seized the oars. I'M
mediatelv the crew saw the truth of
this suggestion, and had no reason to
complain that they paid no reed to my
words.
At three p. III. the natives began 10
| assemble on the ridge Of a low hill
about 100 yards from the boat, and
presently drums were heard beating
| the call to war, until within half an
hour about 800 warriors had gathered
around Shekka, who was sitting down
addressing his people. When he had
| done, about fifty rushed down and took
| o,,r dr,tn, ,,,d kindly told us tn ppt orr
guns ready for fight, as they were
coming presently to cut our Threats.
! As soon as | saw the savages had ar
| rived in the presence Of Shekka with
our drum. | shouted to my men to