The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1876-08-18


the manly way in which they stated oui
wa had doneit 10 protect tho boat from
thetsrirf, and were about no add more
reasons when the first chief cut the mat,
ter short by ordering us to shove off and
go and camp on Mnsira island, distant
-four miles, whittier he would follow us
with food.
We were nothing loath to obey such
good counsel, and soon put distance OF
100 Yards between ourselves and the
hostile beach. As the Waganda were
not We out of danger, we prepared oul
guns to sweep the beach. SO dense
was the crowd of armed men near the
water line that we might have taken
fearful revenge had we been so venge'
fully disposed, or had the necessity OF
saving the Waganda compelled us tc
fire. Happily though, our friends, not
without loud remonstrance and much
worldly alteration, embarked IN safety
and followed us to Musira island. Here
the chief came, and, learning our wants
and objects, sent off three b1nches OF
bananas which he presented to us, and
then left us to our fate.
KING MTEsA's FLEET.
In the afternoon we sighted our Grand
Admiral Magassa, with largo fleet OF
canoes, padding slowly to neighbour
ing island, where he camped for the
night. DESTROYS of quickening his move.
ments I sailed from Musira island foi
Aliceisland, distant thirty-fve miles. The
two chiefs of our escorting canoes ac-
companied us a mile or two, and then,
alarmed by the aspect of the weather,
turned back, shouting to us at the same
time that as soon as the weather moder-
ated they would follow us.
1t was near midnight when we arrived
at Alice island, and by steering for q
light on shore we fortunately found a
snug. well-sheltered cove. The light
we discovered was that of the fire made
by some Bumbireh fishermen curing
fish. My men were so hungry that they
resolved to seize this food, to the great
alarm and terror of its owners. 1 re-
strained my people and quoted the fears
of the fishermen by giving double price
for quantity of fish sufficient for the
days provision for the boats crew.
HIGH PRICED EDIBLEs.
When daylight came we found our
selves at the foot of huge beetling
cliff, and discovered that we had taken
shelter near kind of penthouse formed
by overhanging rocks, which were now
blackened with the smoke of many fires.
The natives of the island came down to
visit us, holding out wisps of green grass
rs a sign of peace and friendliness. But,
though they were friendly enough, they
were so extortionate in their demands
that we gained nothing by their friend
ship, and were compelled to depart at
noon, with every prospect Of starvation
before us, unless Bumbireh island Ga
large and populous island lying south
west of Alice island about twenty-five
nliles), to which L determined to sail,
furnished us with food.
NIGHT OF STORM.
Amid rain, thunder, lightning, and O
sounding surf on all sides, we dropped
anchor under the lee OF Pocock's island
about midnight. 1t rained and thun.
dered throughout the night, and we had
much trouble to keep our boat ahoat by
constant bailing.
At daybreak we hurried away from our
dangerous anchorage before a steady,
strong breeze from the northeast, and
within three hours drew near the COM
Portable little cove near the village OF
Kaiuri, at the southeasterly extremity of
Bumolreh 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
anticipated an abundance of good food,
ripe bananas, fat goat, large 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.
TO EAT OR DIE.
Still we pressed nearer the beach;
hunger gave us much confidence, and a
rich tribute, we were sure, would pacify
the most belligerent chief. Perceiving
that we persisted in approaching their
shore, the people rushed down the slope
of the plateau toward us. Prudence
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, indica-
tons of such would appear in time to
enable us to withdraw from the shore.
We halted at distance of twenty
yards from shore, and observed that
the wild behaviorof the natives changed,
as they approached nearer, TO affability
and friendliness. We exchanged the
usual greetings, and were invited to
come ashore in such tones as dlssippated
the least suspicion from our minds. No
sooner, however, had the keel of the
boat grounded than the apparently
friendly natives rushed in q body and
seized the boat and dragged her high
and dry on land, with all on board. The
reader may imagine the number of ma
tives required to perform this feat when
! state that the boat, baggage, and crew
weighed nearly 1000 pounds.
a TERRIBLE MOMENT.
Twice raised my revolvers to kill and
be killed, but the crew restrained me,
saying it was premature to fight, as these
people were friends, and all would be
right Accordingly 1 sat Gown in the
stern sheets and waited patiently for the
decisive moment. The savages fast in
creased in numbers, and the hubbub grew
greater. Violent language and more
violent action we received without com
ment or word ON our part. Spears were
held in their hands as If on the launch ;