Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1889-04-04
STANLEY'S LETTER.
Sir Francis De Winton Publishes
the Explorers Letter.
EXTREME DIFFICULTIES OVERCOME.
October, 1887, an Awful Month TO- ne En-
pedition-Emin Bsy At Last Met
Scene on Reaching Lake
Nyanxa.

Francis De Winton is in the nature Of q
report of his expedition. and is addressed
to him as chairman Of the Emin Pasha re-
lief expedition. 1t is dated at Bungan-
getta island, on the Aruwhimi river, Au-
gust Is 1883 It Is a record of hard fight
Ing and great privation. Stanley says:
The expedition started from Yambuga on
June q. 1887. 1t consisted of $50 officers
and men. Twelve miles were covered the
first day. On the second war begun.
As they entered the Yanconde dis
trict the natives fred their huts,
and under cover Of the smoke
attacked our pioneers as they were
clearing away the obstacles placed in
front Of the first village. The skirmish
lasted a quarter of an hour. The next day
we turned inward from the river, and for
five days marched through a dense pop
ulation- Every effort however, known to
the native mind was made to oppose our
progress. Finding we were going too far
from our course We turned back, reached
the river again on July 4, not yet hav-
ing lost a man, and followed the left
bank until October Is On the
twenty fourth day out two men deserted,
and on the thirty fourth the first
death occurred from dyse ntery. The ex-
petition then entered the wilderness, and
its sufferings began. Several deaths oc-
Cured and the sick multiplied A boat
was of great use in carrying them and
the provisions, and steady progress was
made. On August 13 we arrived at Air
slbba, and lost five men from poisoned ar
rows. Lieutenant Stairs was wounded
but recovered. On August Is Mr.. Jepson
wandered inland and lost his way, but we
were reunited on August 81
On August 81 they fell in with an Arab
caravan under Ugarrowas, formerly a
tent boy of Spoke. Then their misfortunes
began. The Arabs tempted the men to
desert, and twenty-six left them within
three days. On September Is they camped
near Ugarrowas Food was scarce and he
had devastated the country for miles
around. They pushed on from Ugarro-
was and on October 1S entered a settle
ment belonging to Abeben Saliar, of bad
and bloody reputation.
This was an awful month. They had lost
sixty-six men by death and desertion, and
on reaching the last station found they
had lost fifty-five more by starvation and
desertion. They lived mostly on wild
fruit and nuts. The slaves of Saia did
the most they could to ruin the expedition
except to open hostilities. They bought
our rifles, ammunition and clothing, so
that when we left their station we were
beggared, and naked and physically weak
They were obliged to leave their goods and
boat behind with Swegion Parke and Cap,
tain Nelson, being unable to carry them
all owing to want of food caused by the
Arabs devastating the country. At Ifwisa
they reached an untouched country and
the famine ceased. They were mere
skeletons, and only numbered ia. Two
rebels were shot on the way. The party
rested thirteen days at Ifwisa feasting,
and were completely restored. There
they went out for Nyanza, 126 miles, on
November "a. They were thre atened by
thousands of natives on December in the
country of MZamboree, powerful chief.
An effort was made to treat with them,
but next day the enemy fred upon the ex-
petition, and on the 11th there was q
pitched battle in which the natives were
On the following days they
were attacked constantly by new forces,
but successfully repealed them.
On the 18th Stanley told his people to
prepare to see Lake Nyanza The men
murmured and doubted, but on the fourth
day thereafter the lake lay before them,
and they crowded around hi m and kissed
his hands for joy and gratitude The ex-
petition had reached the plateau of Un-
yoro, 1000 feet above Albert Nyanza.
They were in latitude degree 20 minutes.
They descended into the plain, then the
hostile natives poured down after them,
but were repulsed by the rear guard.
On his arrival at Kahongo, at the foot
of the lake, Stanley was disappointed at
finding neither news from Emin nor the
couriers he had expected from Zanzibar.
He returned through the hostile country
and came back with fresh supplies April
26 He marched alongside of the lake and
arrived at Kavali, where he found letter
from Emin. who wrote that he had gone
to the south shore of Nyanza in search Of
''White man"
On April 30 he saw a steamer approach Z
ing, and Emin and Cossati landed and
there was joyful greeting They res
NAMED together in camp until May %,
when Stanley left them to return to
Aruwhimi. He took up Nelson and Stairs
IN the way. Of fifty-six men left with
hem, only sixteen remained. All the rest
we're dead or had deserted. On August II
he reached Bunolya, where he first heard
If the murder Of Major Bartelotts, s9d
'ound the rear guard a wreck
Stanley reports that Emln Pasha had
wo battalions of $50 and $40 besides irrsg.
liar sailors, artisans, clerks and servants.
Altogether there were 10000 people, in
,luding women and children, who would
lave to leave the country IL the Pasha
lid. These he would be unable to bring
way, and lie was unwilling to leave them
o their fate, so he decided to remain. He
vas urged to come without avail. STAN
ey has gathered men and stores and ex-
'ected TO be back with him on Nyanza -
wo months, taking what he describes as
lew and short cut.