The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1884-12-05
MADAGASCAR.

navy, who recently returned from the
exploration of Madagascar, had quite q
wonderful experience. As he told the
story Of his travels tot Star reporter
the other evening, it sounded more like
an interesting narrative of adventure
from the world of fiction than the &C
tual experience OF a young naval officer
in the line of duty. For q long time
I had felt q desire to explore some of
the unknown eastern countries, -
said Lieut.. Shufeldt, "but il was
not until q year after I had
volunteered my services to explore
Madagascar that wa authorized to do
SO. The curse pursued by the French
in that country rendered it advisable
that some steps should be taken by this
government to obtain information of Q
general nature regarding the country
for commercial reasons. A cable mes
sage from the secretary of the navy de-
tached me early last spring from my
vessel in China and sent me on special
duty in the shape of q trip through
Madagascar. I had no instructions re-
garding the expedition and everything
was left to my own judgment. I went
as far as that country in the Pensacola
and then made my way direct to the
capital, Antananarivo. Now, to give
you an idea Of the country andwhat was
before me you must know that it is an
immense island, considerably larger
than the republic of France, with a
population of about 5000, 1000. The
greater part of it is entirely unknown
and occupied by various tribes, who are
for the most part utterly uncivilized
and wholly barbarous.
The ruling people, however,
have reached quite a high de-
gree of civilization, and have
extended their power through a
great portion of the land, and would
probably succeed in subduing the whole
country but for the opposition Of the
French. These people are called
Hoyas, and are entirely distinct from
any other inhabitants. They CORES
pond exactly with the Malay type,
while TIE rest of the tribes all have the
Africa characteristics. The SUPPOSE
ton is nat centuries ago these people
must hive landed on the shores from
some Of the Eastern countries and set
tied there. It was impossible for
them to dwell near the marshy malari-
u shore, 10 they pushed their way
to the elevated plateaus of the interior,
where they still are. They have abso-
lutte control of about $4,000 square
miles. They are equal to the Japanese
in civilization, and are a progressive,
intelligent people. The capital. has
about 800 white residents, principally
missionaries. and some of the buildings
are beautiful.
The queen has her palace there. BY
the way, she is only 10 years old. and
is a very pretty girl. Her husband is
go years old, and is the prime minister.
The Hovas are literally surrounded by
these hostile nations that spoke Of.
They had partly conquered them all,
except the Sakalavas. who inhabit the
entire western part of the island. One
Of the most important questions that
the country has to deal with is slavery.
Great numbers of slaves were annually
brought from Africa, and all of these
tribes kept their slaves. About twenty
years ago the queen emancipated them,
but the Sakalavas recognized the
emancipation. They have immense
herds of cattle, which are cared for BY
the slaves or macaos, and without them
their herds would run wild. As I said.
l made my way to the capital, but that
was an easy trip, without danger, as
the civilizing effect of the Hovas is con-
siderable in the eastern part of the
island. It was through the wild Saka-
lava country that my expedition proper
wa to be made. / remained at the
capital three weeks perfecting the ar
r%angements. 1 had two interviews with
the queen, and ] guess I was the first
white man to shake her by the hsnd.
Shortly after arriving I gained her
sanction to the expedition, and I saw
her again, just as l was about to start.
She intrusted to me letters to the pres
idsnt, which have just delivered tohim
in person"
II gathered about me forces amount
ing to six hundred" continued the
lieutenant. "They we're all either Ia
tives or slaves, with the exception of
myself and three miners who yolun-
teered to go, two Englishmen and an
American. AT last we started on our
journey of 600 miles to the western
coast. 1t was slow and attended with
many dangerous disasters. The hos
tile Sakalavas lowered about us during
the entire journey, but only yentured
twice to make al attack upon our party.
Then were replused both times, with a
loss to my party of twente- nine men.
They were dreadful looking antago-
nists-those Sakalavas. Their physi-
cal proportions were superb. The sim
ple-breech cloth was their only apparel,
and their bodies were greased until
they reflected the sunlight like mirrors.
They seemed to have no fear of firearms.
but made the attack with q savage veil.
Each man carried five assegais, throw
ing them one at a time as he ran to-
ward US. They soon found that thew
could not conquer u party, and had
to be content with logging our steps.
lying in wait for any poor straecler
who was unable to keep up. T had 4
b%ody-guard of Macaos, who were con-
tinually about me. Some of them
were always ahead while on the
march, and during the fights
they gathered about me and protected
me SO we'll that / was not wounded.
The deadly fever played havoc with
my forces. Indeed we all had it, and nv
white companions succumbed to IL