Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1877-10-20
A Wilderness I'm Central Africa

From SANKEY'S Letter in " Y. Herald
In bis conversation with me at Ujiji, Liv-
1ngstone ascribed much just praise TO all of
the region west of the Coma mountains. II
is most remarkable regiOn-more remark
able than anything L have seen in Africa.
Its woods or forests or jungles or bush-I 10
not know by what particular term to desig-
nate the crowded, tall, straight trees rising
from an lmpeneirable underground OF bush,
creepers, thorns, gums, palms, fronas of all
forms, canes and grass-are sublime even
terrible. Indeed, nature here Is either re-
mSrkably or savagely beautiful. At dis
lance everything looks charming. Take your
stand ON any eminence or coigne OF vantage
FOR view seeing you may please, be il the crest
OF ridge, the summit Of hill, the crown of
rock, and If you look around you will fnd
yourself delighted, fascinated. A hundred
or thousand different outlines are In view
OF ridges and ranges, peaks and cones, the
boldly waving or softly rolling, of gradual
or abrupt slope, of mounds, little patches OF
levels of the grand and the picturesque, in
bewildering diversity of form. You will ex-
claim that you see the splendor OF the tropics;
that you have caught nature rejoicing AMI
happy. over all she has lung a robe OF va
rying green; the hills and ridges are bloom
Ing; the rocks wear garlands OF creepers; the
stems or The trees are clothed with moss; a
ihousa nd sireamlets OF pnre, cool waters'ray.
now laDguid, now quick, toward the north
a;d south and west. The whole makes a
pleasing, charming illustration OF the boun-
teousness and wild beauty OF tropical Ma
ture.
Look closer and analyze all this, that you
may md how deceptive is distance. The
grasses are coarse and high and thick. They
Their spear like blades wound like knives
and their points like needles; the reeds are
tall and tough as bamboo; In those pretty
looking bushes are thOrns-trnly the thorns
are hooks OF steel; the crown of that yonder
low bill with such a gentle slope is all but
inaccessible. See that glorious cropof GRIM
son mowers on that low bush in the middle
OF the lawn green. Pause, my friend before
you venture to pluck them. FIRST, that lawn
Is deception; 1t is forest OF tall trees you
see, and that beautiful, gorgeous poison bush
Is nearly thirty feet high, and those green
banks OF vegetation in those hoilows are
almost impenetrable forest belts.
The WONDERFUL DOC OF CoHoEs-
Morrison, COlwell K Page have In connec-
ton with their rolling mill at Cohoes q large
watchmen guard this stable day and night,
and care for the horses. Beside the watchmen
large dog, cross between the ST. Bernard
and Newfoundland species, is kept on the
premises. This animal realizes that he is
assistant guardian OF the premises and faith
luiiy Goes he perform his duties. AT night If
anything amiss happens to the horses or
anything else he straightway starts for the
watchman and taking his trousers in his
teeth Will not loosen his hold until he has led
horses slipped their halters and aitenp.ed to
wander about the stable, he would drive
them back into their stall and mount guard
over Them until the watchman arrived in his
rounds and secured them. This practice was
kept up until in a unlucky nh 1t, some time
ago, when he attempted to drive vicious
mule into his stall from which hehad escaped,
when the animal let fiy with both hind feet,
one OF which took effect ON the poor dogs
mead. knocking out a number of teeth and
cutting his face badly. Since that time the
knowing dog has not attempted to drive
back any Of his equine charge that may
become loose, but straightway goes for the
watchman on guard. At one time some
loose straw and hay lying In the rear Of and
against the barn by some means caught fire.
post, and standing In fire and smoke was
scratching away with all his might, remov-
ing the burning mass from the building and
barking Justify for aid. Although the dog
was burned somewhat, the building, mainly
through his efforts, was saved. The gentle
men owning this animal prize him highly
and would not exchange his services as
-2:stchman for any biped in creation.-rTroy
Press.