The Mineral argus. [volume] (Maiden, Mont.) 1883-1886, 1885-06-11

were always ahead while on the
march. and during the fights
they gathered about me and protected
me so well that | was not wounded.
The deadly fever played havoc with
INV forces. Indeed we all had il. and my
white companions succumbed to it.
The disease is intermittent, AMI is ac-
companied with the most terrible vomit-
ing and retching. and utter prostration,
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 Oh
the sun would produce ugly fostering
sores, which rendered them almost un.
fit for travel. Every day / would sit
before my tent and distribute the con.
tents OF my medicine chest among the
suffering ones. The journey lasted
81 days, and when we reached the coast
had but 157 men remaining. With
only 20 cut OF 600 killed, Won can
Judge Of the ravagcs of disease among
my forces.
We erected some bamboo fortified.
cations and had plenty of ammunition.
and were able to keep oil the following
savages."
"What had you int ended to do on
reaching the coast?" interrupted the
reporter.
well, Of course. I had no idea of re.
tracing my steps. and l expected to be
compelled to build o canoe and cross
the Mozambique channel in it. As luck
would have it. the boats OF Swedish
bark which hal gone to peices on the
coast couple of years before had been
saved. found them on the pank Of a
creek, where they had been dragged by
the natives, who. being Ignorent of how
to use them. had left them there. se-
lected the largest one and went to work
to repair her. I caulked her up tight,
riggid sail and put to sea in her with
four of the slaves. had no compass
and steered westward course by the
sun. knew if l could keep on l would
strike land. 1 felt sure l couldn't
pass Cape Town, which was near
iv 1000 miles to tho south'W ard, and
l knew land was rs far north rs l could
go. 1t vas the season of the monsoons.
and there was pretty heavy sea on. We
were ont ten days in tine Mozambique
channel, and when We struck land ]
found we were about $50 miles south OF
Mozambique, to which place Imade my
way along the coast"
odd you suffer any serious results
r.~... Al ,v,o,,,r, - knn ayna1itin., ~
asked the reporter.
"Whcn / got to shore was utterly
exhausted from the Madagascar fever.
which hasn't left my system yet.
suffered much from prickly heat. which
turned to eczema from exposure. That
was entirely climatic. and has entirely
disappeared" 81.
Are your Madagascar travels over?"
asked the Star.
II sincerely hope not. I am an en-
thusiast ON the subject Of Madagascar,
and hope to assist somewhat, in inn
proving its condition. In fact / expect
to be sent back in couple Of months
with the presidents letters of reply to
the queen. and when Iget there. hope
to get q years leave, in which to start
some plans for the benefit Of tho peo-
pie. 1 have had some very fatterine
offers. The queen wants me to found
college at the capital, and has deposited
$50 900 with Barring Bros. in London tt
make the start, and 1 hopo to be al
lowed to carry ont her wishes in the
matter. 1t will be necessary to pur'
chase q great many scientific instru'
ments and books, &C., with which &c
make beginning. Yes, sir, Madagas
car is q wonderful country, and if tho
proper course is pursued she will make
. name for herself and be OF incalcula
BILE benefit to the commercial world
Her resources seem unbounded."