The Springdale news., 1889-06-21
STaNLEY'S NOTEBOOK.
The Great Explorers Experience with Stu
 perstitfous Africans.

upon tiny clearing, whieh-seooped out of the vast black forest that bris- tied along both shores as far as the eye can reach-betokened the neighbor- hood of a native village, a man was standing alone, taking rapid notes in small book. while behind him lay moored along the waters edge a fleet of canoes, crowded with the dark brown or black faces of Arabs and negroes, whose crooked swords and long ivory stocked guns glittered in the morning sunshine.
 The solitary figure on the bank seemed to be the only white man of the whole party, and even he. lean and ragged as he was, with his face burned almost black by the sun, and matted mane of grayish-black hair and beard hanging loosely around it, seemed quite as savage as any of his followers. But, small and thin though he was, with plain, almost coarse, features, and dress of which any re- spectacle scareerow would have been ashamed, he had in his sunken eyes that look of power and command which stamps the born leader of men. And such, indeed he was, for this man was no other than Henry Morton Stanley.
 So engrossed was Stanley with the notes which he was making that he never saw the black, scowling face and fierce eyes which peered out at him suddenly from the encircling thicket. Presently another head appeared, and another, and another still; and then the matted boughs shook and parted, and several men stole forth with long spears in their hands.
 But Stanley's quick ear had caught the rustic of the leaves, and, taking several strings of beads from his pouch. he advanced to meet them, ut- tering the long, shritl, beat-liise salu. tation of the country. "sen-aen-nehl' (peace).
 But there was little sign of peace among the advancing sayages. who darted threatening looks at him, and kept muttering angrily among them selves. Then huge, scared warrior. who seemed to be their chief, said. with a flourish of his spear:
 elf the white man wishes peace, why does he try to bewitch us?n
 "How have I tried to bewitch youP" asked Stanley, in amazement. "I come as your guest, not as your enemy. You all see that my men have laid down their guns and swords. and are waiting to be friends with you.n
 "The strangers words are not straight answered the savage, fieree- ly. Did we not see him making spells of witchcraft against us and drawing them on the magic charm that he carries with him?n A sudden light flashed upon Stanley-it was his notebook that had offended them. "If the white chief means fairly by Us let him throw his magic work into wonder fire and then he shall be our brother and shall eat with us; but if not, our spears shall reach his heartm
 For one moment the bold traveller stood aghast. To destroy his valua- ble notes, gathered after so much toll and suffering, would be to fling away the whole fruit of his weary and peril ous journey. Yet, to refuse might cost his life and the lives of all his men, for the savages were evidently in earnest, and all the thickets around him were already swarming with fierce faces and leveled weapons
 All at once bright idea came to him. In his pouch lay small pocket Shakespeare (the companion of all his wanderings), which was sufficiently like the objectionable note book to have deceived keener observer than an African savage. Quick as thought he drew it forth and held 1t up so that every one could see it.
 .'1s this the book that my brothers wish me to burn?n he asked, loud enough to be heard by all present.
 .It isl it is!' roared hundred voices at once, while half dozen bony black hands were outstretched from the front rank of the crowd as if to clutch the formidable "witeh-booll "
 And if I burn it, ,n said Stanley, will you be friends with me and give food to my men?"
 We will,n chorused the black spearmen.
 Behold, thenr cried the great lead CT. and with one jerk of his hand he flung the Shakespeare into the fire be- side him. In moment it famed up, shriveled away and was gone.
 Then broke forth a yell of delight from the superstitious savages as they saw the dreaded magic vanish into smoke. A score of big, bare-Hmbed warriors, all smeared with paint and grease, rushed forward to overwhelm their white brother with sticky em- braces, while others brought forward armfuls of fruit, fish and potato-like cassava bread. Stanley's hungry men ate their fill, and all went as merrily as picnic. The precious notes were saved,-St. Nicholas.
 Daan Dark p-nhIap,