The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1885-10-24
THE WHITE MANS FETISH.


An Interesting Experience In the Carcc,
of Mr.. II. NJ. Stanley.
Mr.. Stanley tells characteristic
story of the way in which he gained the
respect and fear of an important tribe
who positively refused his expedition
passage. As the chief, after angry re-
fusals, was about to leave, the following
prearranged comedy was played for his
benefit:
''While standing near the tent door,
for q moment irresolute, he caught
sight of the large Chinese gong sus-
pended to cross-bar supported by two
forked poles.
What is thisp'I he asked. pointing
70 the gong. rs.
.',ItS is fetish l answered, senten.
tiously.
His young son, Enjeli, who was
much more acute than his father, whis-
pered to him his belief that it was
kind of bell, upon which Ngalyema
cried out:
".Bula Matari, strike this; let me
hear it, .-
30, Ngalyema, dare not; it is the
war fetish = 49,
".No, no. said he, impatiently. Beat
it, Bula Matari, that may hear the
sound. ~
90 dare not. Ngalyema. It is the
signal for war; it is the fetish that calls
up armed men; it would be too bad
mo. no, no! 1 tell you to strike.
| Strike it, Bula Matari;' and he stamped
on the ground with childish impotence.
We'll, then-taking the beaten in
my hand remember, told you it was
bad fetish-a fetish for war; and as
l lifted the beaten high with uplifted
hand, L asked again; Shall l strike
| now?'
.Strike-,strike it. l tell your
'With all my force struck the gong;
the loud bell-like tone sounding in the
silence caused by the hushed.l concen-
trated attention of all upon the scene,
was startling in the extreme, but as the
rapid strokes were applied vigorously,
the continued sounds seem to them like
thunder. They had not recovered from
the first shock of establishment when
the forms of men were seen bounding
l over the gunwale of the En- Avant'
right over their heads, and war-whoop-
ing in their ears. From my tent, and
from the gorge behind them, stream
of frantic infuriates emerged as though
from the earth. The store-tent was
violently agitated, and finally collapsed,
and yelling crowd of demonaic mad.
men sprang out one after another,
every one apparently madden than his
,neighbor. The listless, sleepy-eyed
stragglers burst out into perfect frenzy
of action. From under the mats in the
huts there streamcd into view such 8
frantic mob of armed men. that to the
panic-struck natives the sky and the
earth seemed to be contributing to the
continually increasing number of death
dealing warriors. Every native present
would-be friend and would-be foe. lost
his senses completely. The seated
warriors forgot their guns and fled be
fore this strange deluge and awful scene
The ammunition bearers threw theil
gourds away-some were broken, anC
the powder and slugs were scattered
over the ground; and as Ngalyema wa
standing paralyzed with fear, and will
his faculties benumbed, / seized him b.
the arm, and said softly to him:
".Be not afraid, Ngalyema. Remem
Der Bula Matari is your brother. Stan(
behind me; will protect you."
.'The Zanzbaris were now yelling
4 crowd in front of me, calling out taunt
ingly and menacingly:
| "'Ha, ha. Ngalyema! You came {,
fight Bula Matari, Ngalyema! Wher,
are your warriors, Ngalyemar .ass
/, There could not be better repre-
sentation of relentless, bloodthirsty fur,
i than that which was shown by thes,
amateur black actors in the suddenl,
improvised scene. Their assumed
frenzy was the next thing to reality
Had l not been in the secret l ais,
should have been duped; while the valo
with which defended my poor brother
who with his two hands grasped m,
round the waist, danced from side t,
side to avoid furious strokes from tn
wild-eyed men. while young Enjeli ciun;
behind his father and followed hi
movements. reminded me of the long
forgotten play of hen and chickens
Il "'Save me, Bula Matari; do not lie
them hurt me! did not mean any
thing cried Ngalyema.
i "'Hold hard, Ngalyemar cried
Keep fast hold of me; will defen,
you, never fear. Come one, come all
Ha, hat etc.
"But the camp was almost emptie
of our visitors, much of the ammunitio
; was left behind. the guns were strew
over the ground, and the play was we
acted.
Enough, boys; fall into line;' an
/ Silence was cried out by Susi and hi
brother captains; and the obedient, wei
, | trained fellows fell into line at 'Shoulde
, arms with all the precision,of militar
veterans. Then, as Ngalyema ha
, allowed his hands to fall down by hi
/ side minute surprise at isother trans
formation scene, took hold of his tw
hands. and said. with an assuring smile
} "'Well, Ngalyema, what do you nov
!. think of the white mans fetish?'