The Dickinson press., 1884-11-29
MADAGASCAR.

exploration of Madagascar, had quite o
wonderful experience. As he told the
story of his travels to a 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 q young naval officer
in the line of duty. "For a long time
I had felt a desire to explore some of
the unknown eastern countries"
said Lieut.. Shufeldt, "but it was
not until a year after I had
volunteered my services. to explore
Madagascar that I 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 obtain information of a
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 nv
vessel in China and sent me on special
duty in the shape of o trip through
Madagascar. 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 and what was
before me you must know that it san
immense island, considerably larger
than the republic of France, with a
population of about 5000, 900. 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
Hovss, and are entirely distinct from
any other inhabitants. They cores
pond exactly with the Malay type,
while the rest of the tribes all have the
African characteristics. The suppose
tion is that centuries ago these people
must have landed on the shores from
some of the Eastern countries and set
tied there. 1t was impossible for
them to dwell near the marshy malari-
GUS shore, so 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 300 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
: 60 years old, and is the prime minister.
The Hovas are literally surrounded by
these hostile nations that I 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 Sakalayas never recognized the
emancipation. They have immense
herds Of cattle, which are cared for by
the slaves or macaos, and without then
their herds would run wild. AS [ said
I made my way to the capital, but thai
was an easy trip, without danger, a:
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
was to be made. I remained at the
capital three weeks perfecting the ar
rangements. I had two interviews will
the queen, and [ guess I was the frs
white ;aan to shake her by the hand
Shortly after arriving 1 gained he
sanction to the expedition, and I say
her again, just as l YES about to start
She intrusted to me letters to the pres
ident, which, have just delivered tothin
in,person,"
ing to six hundred" continued TIL
lieutenant. "They were Sill either ma
tives or slaves, with the exception o
myself and three miners who volun
teered to go, two E%nglishmen and OIL
American. At last we started on gu
journey of 600 miles to the western
coast. It was slow and attended will
many dangerous disasters. The hos
tile Sakalevas lowered about us during
:the entire journey, but only %venturet
80 twice to make an attack upon u party
. Then were replused both times, with
loss to my party of twente-nine men
They we're 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 creased unit
they reflected the sunlight like mirrors
They seemed to have no fear Of firearms
haIf; made the attack with q savage yell
Each ma carried five assegais, throw
ING them t,ue at q time as he ran to
ward us. ley soon found that the:
could not conou;,r our party, and hal
to be content with logging u steps
lying in wait for any poor straggle
who was unable to keep up. ] lad
body-guard of Macaos, who were con
tinually about me. Some ct then
were always ahead while on tn
march, and during the fight
they gathered about me and protecte!
me SO well that I was not wounded
The deadly fever played havoc witt
my forces. Indeed we all had it. and M
white companions succumbed to it
The disease is intermittent, and is &C
companied with the most terrible vomit
inc and retchinp. and utter prostration