Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1889-04-03
HENRY NJ. STANLEY.
HIS LETTER OF AUGUST 2STH
FROM BUNGANGETA ISLAND.

A March Through Deadly Forests
Starvation, Sickness and
Death-Etc.
ESPECIAL pIsPArcH TO THE REcoRD-uxIoN.l
LONDON, April 2d.-Henry NJ. Stanley's
letter describes the encounter between
Hambunga and Albert Nyanza. Ii goes
much into details, and is very interesting.
The expedition, which consisted of 500
officers and men, started from Yambunga,
June %, 1887. On the first day the expe-
dition marched twelve miles along the river
bank to 9aknarde. During the next six
days the expedition marched inland in an
easterly direction through densely popu-
lated district. The natives used every art
known to them to molest and impede the
advance of the party, but, although sew
eral conflicts took place, the party did
not lose man. From July 4th until Oeto-
Der 18th, he followed the left bank of the
Aruwhimi. On August 1St the first death
occurred, the cause being dysentery. So
far, for thirty-four days, the course had
been singularly successful. The party now
entered wild country, in their nine days
march through which their sufferings null
tiplied, and several deaths occurred. On
August 18th, on arriving at Aiosibbia, the
natives presented a bold front, and the
party lost five men from poisoned arrows.
On August 3lst the expedition met party
of Mongemas, and their misfortunes began
on this date. Within three days of this
unfortunate meeting twenty-six men de-
serted.
What Stanley describes as ar awful
month begins on September 18th. leaving
the station of the Arab chief Uyarrava,
when the expedition numbered 263 men,
having lost sixty-slx by desertion and
death, and having left ninety-six sick with
Ugarrava, which led to the Arab settlement
Kalinga Longo. The men lived on wild
fruits, fungi and nuts.
Before reaching Kilinga Longo, Stanley
lost So men through starvation and deser-
ton. A slave-owner at kIlinga Longo tried
his utmost 10 ruin the expedition-short of
open hostilities. He insisted on his purchas-
ing rifles, ammunition and clothing, so that
the expedition left the station beggared,
Some of the men were absolutely naked,
and were so weak they were unable to carry
the boat. Stanley was therefore obliged
to leave the boat, together with seventy
loads of goods at Kilinga Longo, under
Nelson, the latter of whom was unable to
march. After twelve days journey the
party, on November I'd, reached Ibwiri.
The Arab devastation, which had reached
within few miles OF IbwiIi, was so thor
ough that not native hut was left stand
ing between Vaarrava and Ibwiri. What the
Arabs didnot destroy, the elephants destroy
ed, turning the whole region into horrible
wilderness. Stanley continues: "Our suffer-
ingS terminated at lbwiri. We were beyond
the reach of the destroyers, we were on
virgin soil, region abounding with food.
We ourselves were mere skeletons, and a
halt was therefore ordered for the purpose
of recuperating. From 2S9 persons, we
numbered ia. Our sufferings had been so
awful, calamities so numerous and forests
so endless, that our people refused to be-
lieve we would again see plains and cattle,
the Nyanzs and Emin Pasha. They turned
deaf ear to our prayers and en-
treaties and driven by hunger and
suffering they sold rifles and equip
ments for a few ears of Indian
corn. PerceiYing that mild punishment
would be of no avail, resorted to the
death penalty, and two of the worst cases
were hanged in the presence of all. We
waited for thirteen days at Ibwiri. Sup
plies were inexhaustible, and our people
giutted themselves with such effort, that we
mad al sleek and robust men when we
started for Albert Nyanza on November
oath. We were still 126 miles from the
lake. Given food, distance seemed moth
ing. On December 9th we emerged upon
the plains, leaving the deadly ard gloomy
forest behind us. After 160 days of
continuous gloom, we saw the light of broad
day shining all around, making all things
beautiful. The men literally leaped and
yelled with joy, and raced over the ground
with their burdens. On the 9th we en-
tered the country of the powerful Chief
Mszamboni.
"The natives sighted US but we prepared
for them. Their war-cries were terrible,
from hill to hill, and pealing across inter-
vening valleys. The people gathered in
hundreds at every point, their war-horns
and drums announcing the coming strug-
gle. After slight skirmish it ended in our
capturing a COW, the first beef we had
tasted"
Here Stanley narrates how negotiations
with natives failed; how detachment as
saulted and carried villages, driving the
natives into general rout. The march
was resumed on the 18th. There were
constant light fights all along the route.
On the afternoon of the 18th, says Stan
ley, we sighted the Nyanza, with Kaiwilli
the objective point of the expedition. Six
miles off had told the men to prepare TO
see Nyanza. They murmured and doubted
When they saw NyanZa below them many
came TO kiss my hand. We were now
5000 feet above the sea level and 2,9O0 feet
above the Albert Nyanza.
After short halt to enjoy the prospect,
we commenced the ragged and stormy de-
scent. Before the rear guard had descended
100 feet the natives from the plateau poured
Oft thar tha 1rl
until within few hundred feet of the N.Y.
ANA plain. We afterwards approached the
village of Kakongo, situated about the west
corner of Albert Lake.
Three hours were spent by US in attempt
ing to make friends, but signally failed
They would not exchange blood of brother
hood, because they never heard of any
good people coming from the west side of
the lake. They would not accept any pres
ents from US, because they did not know
who we were, but they would give US water
to drink and show US the road up to Nyam
Sassac.
| From this singular people we learned
| they had heard there was white man at
Ugunro, but they had never heard of any
| white man being on the west side, nor had
| they ever seen any steamers on the lake.
| We were shown the path. We camped
about half a mile from the lake, and they
| began to consider our position.
| My cOuriers from Zanzibar had evidently
not arrived, or Emin Pasha with his two
steamers would have paid the southwest
side of the lake visit to prepare the ma
tives for our coming. My boat was at XII
linga Longo 100 miles distant, and there
| were no canoes obtainable.
There was no plan feasible except to re-
treat to Ibwiri, build fort, send party
back to Kilinga Longo for boat and store
up every load in the tort not conveyable,
leave garrison in the fort to hold it and
march back to Albert Lake aud send the
boat in search of Emin Pasha. This was
the plan which, after lengthy discussion
with the officers, resolved upon.
| On January 9TH we were in Ibwiri once
again. After few days rest Lieutenant
Stairs with 100 men was sent to Kilinga
Longo to bring the boat and goods On
| the return of Stairs with the boat and