The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-03-04

without paddles or manual labor. but by
means Of an angry kissing ndoh (devil)
whom the mundeli had captured, and who
uttered at times strange and fearful
shrleks, Though so frightened at first
that she and all her people had fed
to the shelter of the bush, she had ulti-
mateiy, trusting in the efficacy of her nkissi
(ietish) to protect her from harm, ventured
oil from the shore in her canoe TO demand
the reason OF their visit. She had found
tnem not the monsters that rumor had de-
picted them, but made much after the
fashion OF black man, save that they had
ugly pale faces, wore much fine cloth
wrapped strangely round their bodies, and
covered their feet They did not appear
to feed upon the flesh OF black men, but
asked to buy goat and some fowls. That
altogether they seemed peacefully disposed.
They readily dispensed most wonderful
gifts, the like of which had never been
seen before and which she could not de-
scribe; but among them was magic some
thing at which you looked and beheld
person just like yourself, who initiated all
that you did. Finally, she babe Princess
fiela, her chief, receive these mundeli in
friendly manner, and gaze herself on the
wonders she had told her messenger TO do
scribe, and thus be satisfied that Ngankabi,
the Queen, had not spoken falsely.
Hence the unusual commotion in the
village. The people, consumed with n Gu.
riosity they were hall afraidto crafty, kept
n keen look out upon the river. Presently,
gliding slowly along in midstream, a small
steam launch appeared. Open mouthed
they watched the progress OF this strange
canoe, and as they heard with shudder
the putting noise OF the imprisoned ndoki,
Involuntary all started back 10 hide, but
were restrained by gesture from Yiela,
their princess, and the head chieftain of
their village. who now appeared at the
door OF her shimbek. She was a striking
figure, and one easily singled out from the
rest, distinguished no less by her appear
ance as one accustomed to command than
by her personal comelincss. She was tall
and slim, the perfect formation Of every
limb and the shapely development Of her
breasts showing TO the full the grace Of
their natural curves as she stood forward,
drawn TO her full hight-her body wholly
uncovered, save by cincture OF woven
grass. The rich copper hue Of her skin had
the soft, clear appearance OF perfect health,
and her swarthy face, though IL possessed
no single striking feature, was full OF pleas
ant expression. An air OF power looked
out from her keen and wistiul eyes and
lowered round the curves OF her proudly
pouting lips. Her whole attitude was
that Of one who has q sense Of position.
In token OF her rank and freedom
she wore round her neck thick and mas
sive brass collar, and on her ankles were
heavy, rudely-chascd anklets Of the same
material.
She stood watching the canoe Of the
mundeli, which had now come to an
anchor opposite the village, and its occu-
pants could he seen making friendly signs
TO the natives on the shore. Princess
Yiela, remembering the message Of her
Queen, stepped down To her canoe without
hesitation, followed by many OF the
others. Alotioning 10 the unfortunate
man who acted as her husband TO sit down
at one end, she graspcd the paddle and
commenced 10 propcl the canoe contain
ing herself and him in the direction Of the
steam launch. II was M II she OWNED
that the man would have a ridiculous ap-
pearance II he were seated there helplessly
while she did the work. This was one Of
her methods-and a very feminine one
for making her position felt Calmly she
piled the paddle, and came alongside, hay
ing sufficient sense OF her dignity the
while to try ana look MS II she were not
curiously eying the vessel and its ap-
pointments with a vague wonder not UNI
mixed with alarm. A male native, were
he King or slave, would never have re-
mcmbercd his dignity in such n case, but
would have taken the undisguiscd interest
Of a child in the novel sight Not No
Yiela; though an untutorcd savage, she
was woman, and Mother Eve has not
transmitted all her idiosyncrasies to white
ladies only.
At length arrived alongside the launch,
her eager eyes curiously deyOured the
strange sight before her, resting In turn
upon the fittings OF the boat, Ms dusky
crew. and without the least amount OF In
tercst upon the two pale.faces that wen
smiling before her. She imperionsly de-
manded Of the black interpreter, who
stood awaiting her approach, why they
had thus vcnturcd 90 disturb her town.
Through the same medium the chief white
man replied that they came In friendly
guise, bringing rare curious presents for the
chiefs and people, whom they would pay
In the same coin for all food supplies; that
the fame Of Princess Yiela (this sop 10
| Ccrherus) had reached the ears Of the
mundcli, who wished 10 enter into n
friendly compact with her and abide for n
short space In her village M her brother.
Finally he proposed that palavor should
be held, nj which the whole matter could
DO discussed. To this she In form ~.
scented, and was then invited 10 step on
board and view the strange vessel. Con-
quering her irt feeling Of alarm, she duly
inspected its appointments. uttering many
an exclamation of wonder and after in
viting her strange visitors on shore, she
took her leave and graciously accepted nj
parting-as an earnest III future friend.
ship-a present of colorcd cloth and
tinkets, not forgetting looking glass, NJ
the production Of which she was unable
10 conceal her delight, for she recognized
In Il the magic gift described 10y the mos
scngcr from the Queen Ngnnknbi.
Meanwhile, during all this talk, the un
fortunate husband still sat on his haunchci
In the canoe, dumb and immovablc. Tn,
only signs OF interest or life lac displayed
were by tho shifting glanccs Of his eyes, N
they restleasly contemplated the move
ments OF the crew, and returned nj inter
walls 10 cast n dcprecating look ON hi
spouse-just M n dog turns ever aud anor
with obedient simplicity 10 watch his mas
tcr's countcnancc.
They departed ~ they came, Well
vigorously plying the paddle, and the i'm
passive figure seated behind her, NUT
impression Of faint In the air which I, tn
mundcl IN question. involuniarily shud
dcrcd At, though l laughed az I waichcg
Il A -. A. l.. l.. -