Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-08-23

They uttered loud cries. and the rings
through the noses of some and the ele-
plant tusKs rafting around their necks,
made hideous and revolving spectacle.
They were armed with spears and asse-
gas. L ordered my men not TO nre until
l advanced and endeavOred to hold par
ley. suppose had taken half a dozen
steps when big negro ran forward ana
cried out:
"'Boss, does you speak EnglishY
II was surprised and quickly ex-
CT aimed:
"'Where In - did you come from?
~ came from Baltimore, boss!
II demanded an explanation, and he
informed me he had been sent out from
baltimore to Liberia by the American
Colonization Society. He found on ar
rival in Liberia that 1t was not land
moving with milk and honey, and that he
mad to work. 1t was not what he bar
gained for. He went to the interior and
joined tribe inhabting the Kong noun
tains. He was as much CT a native as
though born and reared among them, had
no aspirations above the lowest. and
could speak their dialect fluently. gave
HIM presents and he became my guide.
DE pacitied the tierce-looking tribe and
satisfied them that we were friends.
THAT NIGHT WE SPENT IN DAKAR.
1.-The inhabitants turned out en- masse,
naked, to gaze upon us. If Emile lola
desires TO depict revolving realism ad-
wise MIN to visit Dakar and study the
native citizen in his primitive state. 1t
was moonlight night and the natives
heid one OF their internal fetch dances.
1t was weird and unearthly scene-the
incarnation OF the idea of pandemonium
let loose. The belle Of the occa-
sion was a tall Kong negress, who
was attIred in a costume that Pc
cullarly displayed her muscular physical
charms. An empty metallic cartridge
shell hung suspended from the centre car
hlage OF her nose, and highly polished
charms made from the ivory OF the hippo
potamus were strung around her giadia-
torial neck. Around her massive lOins
double row of glass beads jingled as she
sprang about like wild dervish, and
huge brass rings Tapped from the lobes Of
her ears. When lett the scene the Kong
belle was executing fantastic pirouette
and bowling rasping dirge, not nearly
so melodious as whistling buoy.
Bright and early, with the Baltimore
negro as one of pay guides, l started for
the interior. he called me boss and
convinced me that l could trust him as far
as personal safety was concerned. |
loaned him rife and put him in front of
theFan he started off whistling Yankee
Doodle, the only evidence he gave of
Kindly remembrance of the land he was
reared IN. For two or three days we made
good progress, and then our journey be-
came somewhat dangerous from meeting
rowing bands of pomads VINO wished us to
pay tribute for the privilege of PASSING.
sometimes few trinkets would satisfy
them, and If that failed few drops OF gin,
which they priced more than all money.
After weeks of constant travelling and en-
counterlng all kinds of difficulties
WE DISCOVERED ELEPHANT TRACKS.
1t raised commOtiOn among the guides
and the native carriers in the van. They
wanted to see an elephant killed. [ hoped
that the elephant would keep out of sight,
as L did not want to shoot and perhaps
only wound one. At the close of a long
days journey the guides in front set up a
cry and came running back. l heard
heavy cracking as if some ponderous
animal was rushing through the forest,
breaking the bushes and twigs.
They shouted elephant My idea
was that the elephant was trying to
escape, and l concluded not to interfere.
the trail suddenly turned and coming
down upon us was huge male elephant.
The animal was trying to get away, but
had got mixed up as to the proper direc-
ton to take. His speed was so great l
knew that he could scarcely turn before
fled. The Baltimore negro threw down
his rife, but when he saw me brin ging my
gun into position he came back. | fired
quickly and the elephant r0Gred with
pain and turned. | took deliberate aim
then and sent ball into his side. This
must have penetrated a vital part, for the
animal came near falling. Four more
shots in rapid succession were fatal In
their result. The elephant ran 100 yards
and fell upon knoll, where he soon died.
The natives in the caravan came up and
danced around the fallen king of the
forest in great joy. A village not far off
heard that an elephant had been slain,
and turned out to eat him up. They
looked like vultures descending upon a
carcass. The sight was revolving. The
women had ravenous appetites as we'll
as the men, and gOrged to their hearts
| content This was evidently a stray ele-
phanhfor they are not numerous OF the
western slope of equatorial Africa.
THE CHIEF OF THE VILLAGE,
in recognition of my services in filing
| the stomachs of his people and in consid-
GRAFTON of bottle OF gin, treated me
royalty. He invited me to his palace and
| extended his rude hospitalities. he ad-
mired my rifle and especially my empty
cartridge shells. | gave him the shells,
but not my rifle. He vacated his palace, a
| nut SOlne Ten Ieeb square. tnFee feet high
at the sides and nine feet high In the
centre, from ground to ridge pole, for me
| to sleep in. 1t was built of reeds and
grass tightly woven and tied TO frame
work. The rafters were bamboo sticks.
/ The door was four feet square and con-
sisted OF heavy grass mat woven to q
bamboo frame and made to slide either to
the right or left. Goat skins were
spread upon raised bamboo frame, which
served as bed. | retired very much IA
tgued, butmy rest was broken in an hour,
so L had to get out and sleep on the
ground with the caravan. The chiefs
palace was reeking with vermin, and |
could not stand it. How he managed to
remain all night would be a mystery if he
were not to the manor born. His twenty
| five black wives looked healthy and free
! from Mysteries. They wore heavy brass
| bands around their wrists and ankles and
brass rings through their noses. A brass
founder might thrive in that section. The
chief the next morning accepted CRATE
| fully half dozen more cartridge shells
and small measure Of strong gin. He
never asked me how | rested in mis- palace.
After weeks OF travel we got back
to the coast. took south bound steamer.
The parting between the Baltimore me-
gro and myself was comical, but not al
| fectionate. He had been a faithful guide
and rewarded him. lie came on board
the steamer TO bid me farewell. | gave
him pea-jacket, a pair of trousers and n
ofo 81,