Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1880-03-26
Hills in the vast amphitl eater about

water and replunging it in time to the
music. every dip of the sixty paddles
the long canoe forward with
great bounds. the water breaking on
either side and foaming in her track.
The men were in war paint, each with
his monkey skin cap on his head with the
tail hanging down his back, while
silk handkerchief, in bright colors,
passed across the chest over one shout
der. Their wrists CLEANED white with
broad ivory rings.
Giving orders to load up again, 1
took my stand on the veranda above
with Prince William. my young and
true friend, by my side.
As the great canoe swung round the
point, the cannon there was fred and
as it appeared almost Immediately off
the beach, the cannon below me was
fred and I was listening for the fine
echo from the hills when-all was
blank.
What happened then and afterwards
is partly of my own knowledge, partly
from that of others.
1t seems the natives had loaded all
the cannons with too much powder, and
rammed down dry banana leaf to the
muzzle for wadding, to make a loud
noise, as they said.
The result was that as each was fred,
it burst Immediately, including the one
below me and though there was
crowd of natives around this latter.
none were hurt, and it was blown into
a thousand fragments, few of which
were afterwards found.
But one of four pounds weight, as
large as mans fist, jagged and triangu-
lar in shape, was blown from the breech
of tho gun with all the force with which
gunpowder could drive it, straight
across my face over the nose and be.
tween the eyes.
The shock of the blow felled me, and
would have pitched me headlong to the
ground below, but for the prompt arms
Of the young prince.
Recovering, and asking to be led to
my bed, aud drinking little water, a
stupor overcame ne, and insensibility,
recovering again in about fifteen min
utes.
Meanwhile, a great shout had been
raised, and just as the canoe was about
to touch the beach, a crowd of frantic
and terrified natives dashed down,
shouting out that the white man was
dead.
The terror and amazement of the
King and his people may be imagined.
The canoe was wheeled about in q
twinkling, and sped away from the is
land of evil spirits as fast as sixty pad
dies could urge it.
The faithful young prince, though
half-desd with terror and grief at see
ing his friend lying dead, as he sup
posed, before him, contin ned to battle
the wound with water till my senses
came to me again.
The Kings great drum Numbered
out the sad news, and soon it was known
all through the towns.
The first to arrive to my relief was o
young English trader but little could
he do, poor fellow. He could not speak,
his teeth Chartered, and he shook as if
in an ague fit.
Truly he had cause.
He saw his friend, only lately so
hearty and we'll, lying before him help.
less, covered with blood from head to
foot, q horrid gaping wound in the very
middle of his face, his eyes shut and
swollen, his countenance dis6gured and
bloody.
Presently a young English captain,
who happened to be there at the time
in his schooner, also appeared but his
voice shook too, and he was strongly
agitated.
He sent boat to the Cameroons for
my friends, stood by me like brotker.
and when they came, placed his vessel
at my disposal, and took me as far as
wind permitted to Fernando Pc, an is
land some thirty miles of, where med.
ical aid could be obtained.
To return to Bimleia.
The King reaching his town, drums
were sounded on all sides, chiefs as
sembled, doctors were called, goats and
cattle slain. and "great medicine was
made for me amidst general excite
ment.
Chief after chief came off, and was
surprised to find me alive, and tx
pressed his sympathy and sorrow.
Meanwhile, I felt no pain, the blow
had been so stunning.
The next day, curious incident &C.
Cured.
In one of the towns lived a great
chief, whom I called Honest John"
OF great strength and Herculean
proportions, great warrior. stern and
decisive in great matters, and the fear
OF most of the natives, who entertained
wholesome respect for him, he had
always been friend of mine.
There had been quite crowd of ma
tives in the lower part of my house this
day, chattering away, when suddenly
in the distance was heard the sound OF
great war-drum.
The people below were quieter.
The noise of the drum, with its
quick, nervous beat, came sharper
upon the air, and the people below be.
came quieter each moment.
Then the drum ceased, and there was
great stiffness below.
A quick step was heard ON the stairs,
followed by others, then long stride
or two, and pause.
"Who is it?" inquired. "Me.
Honest John" was the answer. They
told me afterwards that he stood there.