The Panola weekly star. (Sardis, Miss.) 1882-18??, 1884-07-19
The Slave Trade In Egypt.

Yesterday the Forus made a long stop
to take in a fresh supply Of provisions
and coal. A short distance from us lay
q gloomy dahabieh, with a convoy OF
slaves from Cordufan. In that dirty
and ill-smelling boat, scarcely large
enough to accommodate two travellers,
were crowded ten women and five chill.
dren, on their way to CAIRO to be sold.
Those fifteen victims were huddlcd pell.
nell in the hold, while on the deck
dozen sailors were laughing boisterous.
~. The Captain, leaning against the
mast, was smoking his %chibouquc, and
never saw on q galley slave n more
hang.dog looking countenancc or such
n sinister head. Our dragoman knew
him, and told us that he was an old
Turkish canvas, well known Mt Cairo,
very daring, fearing neither God noi
the devil, yet, withal, q pattern Of hlial
devotion; in proof of which, OF his 70.
turn from his last expedition, he had
sent TO his parents ut Constantinople .
pair OF young negroes OF great beauty.
The dragoman also explained to us the
method OF pursuing this sort Of industry.
The slave traders maintain spies on
the confines Of the Soudan. whose duty
it is 10 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 oppor.
tune hour for making a successful raid.
Tho time having arrived. mounted on
swift dromcdarics, bearing at then
TANKS huge hampers, they pounce lik,
q flock Of y%ultures on the villages indi
Gated. bind their victims. throw them
into the hamper and take flight. u
tcrly INSCRIPTIONS and well armed, ia
native attempts to obstruct their pas.
sage they kill him without mercy.
Such atrocities justify only too well
the hatred that the African tribes bear
10 foreigners aud the cruel treatment "a
which they subject those who fall into
their hands. Have they not the right
to look upon every paleface as m enc
myP Unfortunately. here AS elsewhere
the innocent suffer for the guilty, and
honest travellers have expiated III,
crimes OF these tTafickcrs in human
flesh.
Returning on board nj sunset, W,
were present ut the supper of thcs,
slaves. And what a support som,
dirty Hour stirred up in water-a por
ridge which our dogs would eat will
disgust. They were all shisering. half
naked, around a scsnty fire Of PUSHES
and were coughing with q dry cough
already the cold was affecting thos,
lungs accustomed TO the temperature o
the equator. and disposing them to con
sumption.
had remarked in the group n tai
and beautiful girl. with n naughty mien
inc features aud graceful figure. Sh'
alone was not east down and seemed I,
defy fate. | was contemplating he
with compassion, mingled with a Ger
tain artistic curiosity, seeking TO detiup
the exact meaning Of that wor,
grace" which has its equivalent In al
languages and is applicable to al
species. when the ruiiian asked II
would like to buy her.
"Toll him" said | to the dragoman
"that he is the one | would like TO buy
to have him hanged"
| My reply had no other effect upo
} him than TO provoke n smile Of sanct
monious serenity. That smile cxaspcI
aled me. | am by no means cruel. W
| could have blown the fellows brain
: out In cold blood. In Europe we hur
/ down the wolves and foxes that dec.
matc our shecp-folds and pillare ou
poultry-yards. aud ought We TO sho,
/ child stealers any more consideration
One Of the women. still young. W.
weeping while sqnatting before N
warm ashes. Hakim Chakor. wh
/. could speak n little in the Soudanes
tongue, approached and offered her a
| orange and some sugar. She refuse
! 1t, but seeing the friendly hand thI
| had brought her the tirt consolation
she covered Il with tears and kisses.
! "why do you not eatP' asked u
i doctor.
"whilc my child Is III I shall take n
nourishmcnt."
o "whcrc is your shild'' asked u
!, doctor.
''He Is In the boat II you are
physician. cure him. The master wi
= killed my husband aud my broth,
wishes perhaps TO Kill him also. Tbs
y l shall starve myself 10 death"
y Night had now come. The ia,
trader. brandishing his courbacA. u
tered a formidable lila (fcrvar =
. and in the twinkling Of On eye oil tho,
wretches, %shfvering with terror "a
u cold. had disappeared In the hold Of n
y dahabieh. The sccursed cpsft went 1
= wsy, and We Eel, relieved. >, le.st
y having no longer under our eyes n
y ignohle spectacle. -sssstesng, n "a
pcr kssyI