The weekly messenger., 1888-08-11
QUEEN KABUTU.
A Powerful and FerociouS Fem
inine Potentate of Africa.
A ConSul'S Unsuccessful At
tempt to Interview Her.

cas- coast of Africa, who told me the
following tale of this redoubtable per.
son, which well nigh outrivals Mr..
Rider Haggard's "She." Mr. HIS juris-
diction extends over an area of 1000
miles, all of which he is supposed to
visit in his official capacity. Lying
toward the interior of the country is
range OF impregnable mountains, over
which rei9ns supreme rich and power
ful Queen-Kabutu by name. So ter
rible is her reputation, and so greatly
feared is she py the natives far
and wide, that she is never called by
her rightlul appcllation, but is designat-
ed as "Thc Woman Who Lives Over
There" with a wave of the arm toward
the frowning hills. This queen has two
sons, who rule PROVINCES under her to
the north and south. She Is particular
ly anta- onistic It white men, regard
ing them not only with adherence but
with an implacable hatred, clubbing
them as monsters, wizards and dealers
in magic. And so we'll is her warllke
attitude toward them understood that
no white man has ever dared to
penetrate into her presence, or
indeed, desired to do SO since
instant death is the least evil that
would follow on his temerity. Mr.. IL,
however, was determined to interview
this queen of the mountains. He there
fore started inland with a strong armed
guard and twenty Interpreters. 1t was
q long four days march through the
jungle before he reached the outlying
territory on the south, over which
reigned the son OF this terrible monarch.
This king being of a more pacific ma
turc and possessed of considerable curl
osity, consented to receive the white
wizard, and even went so far as TO say
he would speak good word
for him to the awful Kabutu,
and, thus encouraged, the consul pro-
ceeded on his way. But after another
days journey his interpreters came to
him IN great perturbation an6 told him
they had received secret warning from
some friendly natives that Kabutu was
preparing to greet them in her own pc.
culiar royal style---a dungeon for Mr..
H., with perpetual Imprisonment to be-
terminated only with execution, and the
slave stakes and torture for his servants
and guards. On hearing those san
culinary prophecies, 80 OF his men at once
deserted and fled, preferriny possible
death in the trackless jungles to falling
into the hands of '.The Woman Who
Lives Over There" Mr.. H., thus rendered
almost de!enceless. and though know
ing himself to be in the greatest danger,
dared not show the least fear or appre-
hension. He prepared to push on
further, and would undoubtedly have
fallen victim to Kabutu's cruelty had
not messenger arrived secretly from
the friendly sen, entreating him to 90
no further. and saying that his mothers
rage and fury at tic white monsters
presumption knew no bounds; she was
already gloating over the varied forms
of torture whore with to punish him.
He further offered at the risk of his
own crown, to have Mr.. II. conducted
back in safety; but the journey must bc
performed at night and with the great
est circumspcction. Taking all things
into consideration, NJ. ii. decided to
accept the friendly Kings offer. and
quietly moved off and out of
the dangerous neighborhood. His
way lay for miles and mile
through dense junglcs and morasses
before the borders of civilization were
reached. Thc ferccious Kabutu still
remains uvanqui'hed and unseen by
the white ma1, but NJ. H., who returns
10 his consulate In August, intends in
October to push his way into the very
presence of the terrible one. In those
delightful regions pounds and pence
are unknown and Of no value, the ac-
eepted currency being beads, haudker-
Chiefs. and colored lines; and so par
ucaiar and fussy are the native mon
dalnes that to offer bead of last years
shape, q han dkerchief of last years
color or calico of last year 5 dye, is
oire oifense and Of about as much good
as bag Of stones would be. The eli
mate Is charm inp the vordrlre nprnet-