National Republican., 1884-06-14
TRAFFIC IN HUMAN BEINGS.
The Slave Trade In Egypt ms Described
by n Distin guished Traveller.
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ne Vorvs SduntcringS IN Upper Egypt
Yesterday the Ferus made long stop to
tako in fresh supply of provisions and coal.
short distance from us lay gloomy daha-
bieh, with convoy of slaves from Cordufan.
In that dirty and ill-smelling boat, scarcely
large enough to accommodate two travellers,
were crowded ten women and Eve children,
on their way to Cairo TO bo sold. Those ff-
teen victims were huddled pell-mell in the
hold, while on the deck dozen sailors were
laughing boistorously. The captain. leaning
against tho mast, was smoking his chibouque,
and never saw on galley slave more
hang-dog looking countenanCe or such n sim
istcr head. Our dragoman knew him, and
told us that he was an old Turkish cdDds,
well known at Cairo, very daring, fearing
neither God nor the devil yet, wthal, q pat
tern of filial devotion; in proof of which, on
his return from his last expedition, ho had
sent to his parents at Constantinople a pair
of young negroes of great beauty. The drago-
man also explained to us the method Of pur-
suing this sort of industry.
Tho slave traders maintain spies on the
confines of the Soudan whose duty it Is to
keep them informed as to the condition of the
villages that border on the Nile the number
of women and children suitable for seizure,
the habits of the population, and the most
opportuno hour for making a successful
raid. The timo having arrived, mounted on
swift dromedaries, bearing at their flanks
huge hampers, they pounce like flock of
vultures on the villiges indicated, bind their
victims, throw thom into the hampers, and
tako flight. Utterly INSCRIPTIONS and we'll
armed, If = native attempts to obstruct their
passage, they kill him without mercy.
Such atrocities justify only too we'll tho
hatred that the African tribes bear to for
eigners and the cruel treatment to which
they subject those who fall into their hands.
Have they not the right to look upon every
paleface as an enemy2 Unfortunately hero,
AS elsewhere, tho innocent suffer for the
guilty, and honest travellers have expiatod
tho crimes of these trafIickers in human
flesh.
Returning on board at sunset, we were
present at tho supper of these slaves And
what n supper Some dirty flour stirred up
in wator-a porridge that our dogs would
eat with disgust. They were all shivering,
half naked, around a scanty fire of rushes,
and were coughing with n dry cough; already
tho cold was affecting those lungs accustomed
to the temperature of the equator, and dis
posing them to consumption.
l had remarked in the group tall and
beautiful girl, with q naughty mien, fine
features, and n graceful figure. She alouo
was not cast down, and seemed TO defy fate.
was contemplating her with compassion,
mingled with q certain artistic curiosity,
hoeklup 10 ucHno Uno eNuCp meaning OF unab
word grace" which has its equivalent in
all languages, aud is applicable to all species,
when the rutlian asked if would like to buy
her.
"Tell him." said to the dragoman, chat
he is the one l would like to buy, to havo
him hanged"
My reply had no other effect upon him
than to provoke q smile of sanctimonious
serenity. That smile exasperated NO. / am
by no means cruel, yet l could have blown
the follows brains out in cool blood In
Europe we hunt down the wolves and foxes
that decimate our sheepfolds and pillage our
poultry yards and ought we to show child
stealers any more consideration?
Ono of the women, still young was weeping
while squatting before the warm ashes
the Soudanese tongue, approached and offered
her an orange with some sugar. She refused
it, but seeing tho friendly hand that had
brought her tho first consolation, she covered
IL with tears and kisses.
"Why do you not eat?" asked tho doctor.
"While my child is i'll shall take no nour-
! ishment."
"Where is your childP" asked the doctor
"He is in the boat. If you are physician
cure him. The master, who killed my hus-
band aud my brother, wishes perhaps to kill
him also. Then l shall starve myself. to
DEATH" .'t
Night had now come. The slave trader,
brandishing his Courbach, uttered formida-
bic "lalla" (forward) and In the twinkling
of an eye all those wretches, shivering with
terror and cold, had disappeared in the hold
of the dahabieh. Tho accursed craft went
its way, and we felt relieved, at least, at
having no longer under our eyes that ignoble
spectacle.