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

came forward, and, striking the boat
! ordered us to get off, and he himsel
/ lent hand to shove the boat into thu
lake.
As the boat gliaed into the water
another chief came forward and asked
| us what we meant by drawing our boat
| up SO far on their beach. We replied
| that we had done it to protect the boat
1 from the surf, and were about to ado
/ more reasons when the first chief cut
| the matter short by ordering us &c
shove off and go and camp on Musira
Island, distant four miles, whittier he
would follow us with food.
We We're nothing 10th to obey such
good counsel, and soon put distance
OF 100 yards between ourselves and the
hostile beach. As the Waganda were
not yet ont of danger, we prepared
our guns to sweep the beach. SO dense
was the crowd of armed men near the
Water-llne that we might have taken a
fearful revenge had we been SO venge-
fully disposed, or had the necessity of
saving the Waganda compelled us to
fire. Happily though. our friends, not
without loud remonstrance and much
Wordy alteration, embarked in safety
and followed us to Musira Island.
Here the chief came, and learning our
wants and our objects, sent off three
punches OF bananas, which he present
ed to us and then left us to our fate.
In the afternoon we sighted our
Grand-Admiral Magassa, with a large
fleet of canoes, padding slowly to a
neighboring island. where he camped
for the night. DESTROYS of quickening
his movements | sailed from Musira
Island to Alice Island, distant thirty
five miles. The two chiefs of our es-
cortlng canoes accompanied us a mile
or two, and then, alarmed by the as
pect of the weather, turned back,
shouting to us at the same time that.
as soon as the wind moderated they
would follow us.
1t was near midnight when we ar
rived at Alice Island, and, by steering
for light on shore, we fortunately
found snug, well-sheltered cove.
The light we discovered was that Of a
fire made by some Bumbireh fisher
men, curing fish. My men were 50
hungry that they resolved to seize this
food, to the great alarm and terror of
its owners. | restrained my people,
and quoted the fears of the fishermen
by paying double price for quantity
of fish sufficient for days provisions
tor the boats crew.
When daylight came we found our
selves at the foot of huge, beetling
cliff. and discovered that we had taken
shelter near a kind of penthouse
formed by overhanging rocks, which
We're now blackened with the smoke
of many fires. The natives of the isl
and came down to visit us, holding
out wisps of green grass as a sign of
peace and friendliness. But, though
they We're friendly enough, they were
SO eXtortionate in their demands that
we gained nothing by their friendship,
and were compelled to depart at noon,
with every prospect of starvation be-
fore us, unless Bumbireh Island Ca
large and populous island lying south
west of Alice Island about twenty-five
miles,, to which | determined to sail,
furnished us with food.
Amid rain, thunder, lightning and
a sounding surf on all sides, we
dropped anchor under the lee of Po-
cocks Island about midnight. 1t
rained and thundered throughout the
night, and we had much trouble to
keep our boat atloat by constant bail
ing.
AT daybreak we hurried away from
our dangerous anchorage before u
steady, strong breeze from the north
east, and within three hours drew near
the village of kajuri, at the south
eastern extremity of Bumbireh Island.
AS we looked on the plenty which
green slopes, garnished with large
groves of bananas and dotted with
herds of fat cattle, promised, we an
ticipated an abundance of good food,
ripe bananas, fat goat, alarge supply
Of milk and other things good for fam
ishing men. But we were disappointed
to hear the large number of people ON
the plateau above the village shouting
their War-cry.
Still we pressed nearer the beach !;
hunger gave us much confidence, and a
rich tribute. we were sure, would pacl-
fy the most belligerent chief. Perceiy-
ing that we persisted in approaching
their shore, the people rushed down the
slope Of the plateau toward us. Pru-
dence whispered to me to at least get
ready our guns, which | accordingly
did, and then rowed slowly toward the
beach, certain that, if hostilities began,
indications of such woul'. appear III
time to enable US TO withdraw from
the shore,
We halted at the distance Of twenty
yards from shore, and | observed that
the wild behavior of the natives
changed, as they approached near
or. to affability and friendliness.
We exchanged the usual friendly greet