Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1884-10-04
IN THE LAND OF THE HOvAS.
Lieut.. Shufeldt,s PerflOus Journey I'm
Madagascaf.

Lieut.. Shufeldt,s Perflous Journey I'm
Madagascar.
THE STORY OF HIS TRIP OF EXPLORATION AS
BRIEFLY TOLD BY HIMsEIF-THE PRETTY
YOUNG QUEEN OF THE HOvAs-How THE
AMERICAN ExPLoRER FOUGHT HIS WAY
THROUGH THE SAvAGES-TERRIBLE SUFFER-
INGs OF HIS PARFY-oNLY ONE HUNDRED AND
FTFTY-EIGHT SURVIVORS OFT OF A PARTY OF
SIX HUNDRED.
Lieut.. Mason A. Shufeldt. of the navy who
recently returned from the exploration of Mad
agascar, had quite wonderful experience. As
he told the story of his travels to STAR re-
porter the other evening, it sounded more like
an interesting narrative of adventure from the
world Of fiction than the actual experience of a
young naval officer in the line of duty "For
a long time had felt desire to explore some
of the unknown eastern countries" said Lieut.
shufeldt, "but it was not until a year after
had volunteered my services to explore NADIA
gascar that | was authorized to do so. The
course pursued by the French in that country
rendered it advisable that some steps should
be taken by this government to OBJ
tain information of general nature
regarding the country for commercial reasons
cable message from the Secretary of the Navy
detached me early last spring from my vessel in
China and sent me on special duty in the shape
of trip through Madagascar. l had no in
thing was left to my own judgment | went as
far as that country in the Pensacola and then
made my way direct to the capital. Antanana-
rive. Now, to give you an idea Of the country
and what 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. eco. The greater part OF it is en-
tirely unknown and occupied by various tribes
who are for the most part utterly uncivilzed
and wholly barbarous.
THE RULING PEOPLE,
however have reached quite high degree of
civilization, and have extended their power
through great portion of the land and would
probably succeed in subduing the whole coun-
try but for the opposition of the French. These
people are called Hoyas, and are entirely dis
tinct from any other inhabitants. They CORE
spond exactly with the Malay type, while the
rest OF the tribes all have the African character
istics. The suppostion is that centuries ago
these people must have landed on the shores
from some of the Eastern countries and settled
there. 1t was impossible for them to dwell near
the marshy malarious shore, SO they pushed
their way to the elevated plateaus OF the inte-
ror, where they still are. They have absolute
control of about SO, 600 square m les. They are
equal to the Japanese in civilization. and are
progressive, intelligent people. The capital
has about 800 white residents. principally mis-
sionaries, and some of the buildings are beauti-
full.
THE QUEEN
has her palace there. By the way she is only
10 years old, and is very pretty girl. Her hus-
band is GO years DID, and is the prime minister.
The Hovas are literally surrounded by these
hostile nations that spoke of. They have partly
conquered them all. except the Sakaavas. 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 num-
berS 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 Sakalayas never 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 | said. l made my way to the
capital, but that was an easy trip without
danger. as the civiliZing effect of the Hovas il
considerable in the eastern part OF the sland. 1t
was through the wild Sakalava country that nv
expedition proper was to be made. remained
at tie capital three weeks pertecting the ar
rangements. | had two interviews with the
queen. and guess was the first white man TO
shake her by the hand Shortly after arriving
l gained her sanction to the expedition. and /
saw her again. Just as | was about to start She
intrusted to me letters to the President which
have just delivered to him in person"
THE EXPEDITIONARY FORCE.
~ gathered about me forces amounting to
six hundred" contin ued the lieutenant. "They
were all either natives or slaves, with the ex-
ception of myself and three miners who volun-
teered to go. two Engshmen 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 hostile
Sakalavas lowered about US during the entire
Journey, but only ventured twice to make an
attack upon cur party. They were repulsed
both times, with loss to my party of twenty
a mo TlDxx lF,,l I
nists-those Sakalavas Their physical proDor-
lions We're superb. The simple-breeeh cloth was
their only apparel. and their bodies were creased
until they reflected the sunlight like mirrors
1hey seemed to have no fear Of firearms. but
made the attack with a savage veil Each man
carried i've assegaiS. throwing them one at
time as he ran towards us. They soon found
that they could not conquer our party, and had
to be content with logging our steps. lying
IN wait Tor any poor stragger who was unable
to keep up had body-guard of Macaos. who
were continually about me- Some Of them
were always ahead while on the march, and
during the fights they gathered about me and
protected me so well that was not wounded
once. 1t was
A TERRIBLE JOURNEY.
The deadly fever played havoc with my forces.
Indeed We all had it. and my white COM
panionS suCcumbed to it. The disease is inter-
mittent, and is accompanied with the most ter
rible vomiting and retching, and utter prostra-
ton. rendering it utterly Impossible to eat
anything. 1t was not the fever itself which
killed my men, but the complete exhaustion
which resulted from it. Then too. the natives.
who were bare legged suffered terribly from
liberated sores. The long wet grass through
which we Travelled in early mornings would cut
their flesh. and the heat of the sun would pro-
duce ugly fostering sores, which rendered them
almost unfit tor travel. Every day would sit
before my tent and distribute the contents of
my medicine chest among the suffering ones
The Journey lasted 81 days, and when we reached
the coast had but 15S men remaining. With
only - out OF 600 Killed, you can Judge Of the
TaTages OF disease among my forces.
We erected sore bamboo Notifications and
had plenty of ammunition, and were able to
keep off the following sayages.'
''What had you intended to do upon reaching
the coast?" interrupted the reporter.
"Wel of course had no idea Of retracnp
my steps, and l expected to be compelled to
build a canoe and cross the Mozambique chan
mel in it. As luck would have it, the boats of
Swedish bark which had gone to pieces on the
coast a couple of years before had been saved.
found them on the bank of creek, where
being ignorant of how to use them had left
them there. l selected the largest one and
went to work to repair her. caulked her up
tight, rugged sail and put to sea in her with
four of the slaves. l had no compass and
steered westward course by the sum- | knew
if | could keep on | would strike land / felt
sure L couldn't pass Cape Town, which Was
nearly 2OO0 miles to the southland, and knew
land was as far north as could go. 1t was the
season OF the monsoons. and there was
pretty heavy sea on. We were out ten days