Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1884-06-20
A Convoy OF slaves in Africa.

Very little is known of the slave trade
in the Soudan. The following is an ex-
tract from NJ. Jules de Vorys's book,
entitled eastern Snunterings in Upper
Egypt" which gives some interesting de-
tulls of that odious traffic in human
flesh
Yesterday the Ferus made long stop
to take in fresh supply of provisions
and coal. A short distance from us lay
a gloomy'dahabich, with convoy of
slaves from Cordofan. In that dirty and
ill-smelling boat, scarcely large enough
to accommodate two travellers, were
ten women and five children, on their
way to Cairo to be sold. Those fifteen
victims were huddled pell-mell in the
hold, while on deck dozen sailors were
laughing boisterously. The captain
leaning against the mast, was smoking
his chibouque and never saw on gal
ley slave more hang-dog looking coun-
tenance or such n sinister head. Our
dragoman knew him, and told us that he
was an old Turkish cd1caS, well known at
Cairo, very daring, fearing neither God
nor the devil, yet, withal, a pattern of
tilial devotion in proof of which, on his
return from his last expedition, he had
sent to his parents of Constantinople
pair OF young negroes of great beauty.
The drsgoman also explained to us the
method of pursuing this sort of indus
try.
The 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
1ofi t1n
for making successful raid. That time
having arrived, mounted on swift drome-
diaries bearing at their TANKS huge ham
pers, they bounce like flock of yultures
on the villages indicated, bind their
victims, throw them into the hampers
and take flight. Utterly INSCRIPTIONS
and well armed, if native attempts to
to obstruct their passage, they kill him
without mercy.
Such atrocities Justify too well the
hatred that the African tribes bear to
foreigners and the cruel treatment to
which they subject those who fall into
their hands. Have they not the right to
look upon every pale-face as an enemy ?
Unfortunately here, MS elsewhere the in
nocent suffer for the guilty, and honest
travellers have cxpiated the crimes of
Returning on borrd at sunset, we were
present at the supper of these slaves,
And what supper Some dirty -four
stirred up in water-a porridge that orr
dogs would eat with disgust. They were
all shivering, half-naked, around scanty
hire OF PUSHES, and were coughing with a |
dry cough, already the cold was effecting
those lungs accustomed to the tempera-
ture of the equator, and disposing them
to consumption.
l had remarked in the group tall and
beautiful girl, with naughty mien, fine
features and graceful figure. She alone
was not cast down, and seemed to DEFY
fate. was contemplating her with COM |
passion, mingled with a certain artistic |
curiosity, seeking to define the exact
meaning of that word "grace, which has
its equivalent i'll all languages, and is an
plicable to all species, when the ruffian |
asked if / would like to buy her.
"Tell him." said to the dragoman. |
that he is the one l would like to buy,
to have him hanged"
My reply had no other effect upon him
than to provoke q smile of sanctimonious
serenity. That smile exasperated me. I |
am by no means cruel, yet could have
blown the fellows brains ont in cold
blood. In Europe we hunt down the
wolves and foxes that decimate our sheep
folds and pillage our poultry yards and
ought we to show child stealers anv more
One OF the women, still young, was
weeping while squatting before the warm
ashes. Hakim Chakor, who could speak
little in the Soudanese tongue, approach
ed and offered her an orange with some
sugar. She refused it, but Selling the
friendly hand that had brought her the
irst consolation, she covered it with tears
and kisses.
"Why do you not eat ?" asked the doc
tor.
"Where is your child ?" asked the doc.
tor
she is in the boat. If you are phy.
stefan, cure him. The master, who killed
my husband and my brother, wishes per.
haps to kill him also. Then | shall
'tarve myself to death"
Night badnow come. The slave trader.
orandishing his cOW6ach, uttered for.
nidable "IaH0 ;" forward y and in the
jwlnkllng of an eye all those wretches.
'hiyerlng with terror and cold, had disap-
pearcd in the hold of the dahabieh. The
iccursed craft went its way, and we felt
at least, at having no longer
under our eyes that ignoble spectacle.
Clipped from Canada PresJyteria,I, under sigma.