Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1889-08-23
Killed by Wild Elephants.


This gentleman was in command of
the Stanley Falls station when it was
attacked two years ago next month
by the Arabs. On his retreat from
that station Ee had one of the most
thrilling experiences that ever befell
a white man in Africa.
Before the station fell his ammuni-
ton had been almost entirely ex-
hausted, and the greater part of his
force had skurried down the river.
leaving him to his fate. In
the darkness of the night
Deane and his comrade, Dubois.
with three or four Haussa soldiers.
away from Stanley Falls and noise
lessly made their way westward along
the river bank. 1t was not long be-
fore Dubois, slipping upon a stone at
the waters edge, fell into the rapid
current and was drowned Deane
was left alone with his few black COM
rades, and the prospect that they
would escape was very slight.
They pushed on all night, but in
the intense darkness they were able
to make their way only q few miles
through the thick underground.
Thoroughly tired out they stopped
at daylight for short rest. The
rain which had been falling all night
ceased, and Deane took off his
drenched garments to partially dry
them. While his clothes were hang
ing on the bushes, shouts were sud-
denly heard q few hundred feet behind
the little party. The Arabs had dis
GOV cred their retreat and were in hot
pursuit. They were so near that
Deane could hear the grass rat
tie as the enemy sprang through
it, rapidly following the muddy
ira cks of the fugitives. Deane had
just time to throw bis 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 their trail for hours, and
every nerve was strained to distance
the pursuers. At last the noises be-
hind them grew fainter and fainter,
and by noon it was evident that the
enemy had grown weary ofthe chase.
Then the hunted little party stopped
for breathing spell.
1t was woebegone and almost
hopeless band of fugatives. In the
mad race for life every Haussa had
lost his gun, and not a weapon of
any sort was left in the party. One
by one Deane had dropped his gar
ments, and he had nothing left except
a 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 to put
them on, for the tracks would have
instantly revealed to any prowling
Arab or hostile native that a white
man was in the neighborhood. A
cannibal tribe, with whom Deane
himself had had a serious fight,
lined the river below, and
ne dared not appeal to
them for succor. He was about
300 miles from the nearest white sta
ton at Bangala. All that could be
done was to struggle down the river,
through the dense bush and forests,
several miles inland, 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 wan
dered through the solitudes of the
country. The nights were cold, but
the only covering the fugitives had
were 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 oc-
casional monkey or a 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 O. great
delicacy. Whenever our fugitives
came to a prosperous colony of ants
they laid in supply. Thenmanycater-
pillars crossed their path, and these
treasures were carefully slowed away
in cartridge box. At dinner time
The party would build q fire, roast
their ants and caterpillers, and dis
guise these solid viands as much as
possible with mouthfuls of grapes
md other fruit. Itwas anything but
oalatable food, but it kept life in their
bodies, though the poor fellows be-
'ame so weak that they could travel
only three or four miles day.
At last they came to the Bakumu
lribe, who live along the river, and
'he fugitives thought they might safe
y reveal themselves to these people,.
Their confidence was not betrayed,
md the fugitives were supplied with
provisions which very agreeably
'aried their caterpillar diet. Mean
While the Bangala who deserted
)eane at Stanley Falls had reached
lone in canoes, and informed Capt.
;oquilhat of the unhappy plight OF
lis brother officer. The Captain at
nee started to the rescue on little
teamer. He found Stanley Falls sta
ion burned to the ground, and as he
Yin the river hehad n hotexchange
# compliments with the Arabs in q
attlinU fro IF touSLotr,, L. mos cx,;