Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1888-10-11

arin which had been falling all night
| ceased, and Dsane took off his drenched
garments to partially dry them. While
his clothes were hanging op the bushes,
shouts wsre suddenly heard few hun
dred feet off behind the party. The
Arabs had discovered their retreat and
were in hot pursuit. They were SO near
that Deane could heir the grass rattle as
the enemy sprang through it, rapidly fol-
loving the muddy tracks of the fugitive.
Dean had just time to throw his clothes
over his arm and start at full speed
through the bush, followed by his Haussa
attendants. They could hear the shouts
OF the Arabs who were on thsir trail for
hours and every nerve was strained to
distance the pursuers. At last the noises
behind them grew fainter, and by noon
it was evident that the enemy had grown
weary of the chase. Then the hunted
little party stopped for breathing spell.
1t was woebegone and almost hope
less band of fugitives. In the mad race
for life every Hussa had lost his gun, and
not weapon of any sort was left in the
party. One by one Deane had dropped
his garments, and he had nothing left ex-
cept small military cape, which he threw
over his shoulders. In the midst of an
African jungle, he had not the slightest
protection for his bleeding feet And
even if he had saved his boots he would
not have dared put them on, for the track
would have Instantly revealed to aRy
prowling Arab or hostile native that p
white man was in the neighborhood. A
cannibal tribe with whom ID cane himself
had had a serious fight, lined the river
below, and he dared not appeal to them
for succor. He was about three hundred
miles from the nearest white station at
Bangala. All that could be done was to
Struggle down the river, through the
dense bush and forest, several miles in
land, avoiding all the tribes, except one
or two that were known TO be friendly,
and living on whatever they could pick
up that would afford nutriment.
For four weeks this white castaway in
central Africa, almost naked, and weak
with hunger and fatigue, wandered
through the solitudes of the country.
The nights were cold, but the only cover
ing the fugitives had was dried leaves,
which they heaped over themselves as
they lay down on the bare earth under
the trees. They found many wild grapes
and some other fruits of the forest, but
these alone would not give them strength
to keep up the hard march. An occa-
sional monkey or bird would have been
delightful addition to their food
supplies, but without guns they
could not obtain game of any sort. They
did what any one else would do when
fighting against starvation. Many African
tribes esteem fried ants as great deli
cacy. Whenever our fugitives came to
prosperous colony of ants they laid in
supply. Then many caterpillars crossed
the path, and these treasures were care
fully slowed away in a cartridge box. At
dinner time the party would build fire,
roast their ants and caterpillars and dis
guise these solid viands as much as DOS
sible with nouthtuls of grapes and other
fruit. 1t was anything but palateb BILE food,
but it kept life in their bodies, though
the poor fellows became so weak that
they could travel only three or four miles
day.
At last they came to the Bakumu tribe,
who live along the river, and the fugitives
thought they might safely reveal them
selves to these people. Their confidence
was not betrayed, and the fugitives were
supplied with provisions which very
agreeably varied their caterpillar diet.
Meanwhile the Bangala who deserted
Deane at Stanley Falls had reached home
in canoes and informed Capt. Coquilhat
of the unhappy plight of his brother-offi
Ger. The captain at once started to the
rescue on g little steamer. He found
Deane absolutely worn out. His face
was badly swollen, his eyes we're sunken,
and he could hardly crawl. He had no
disease, but famine had nearly used him
10.