Omaha daily bee., 1889-11-02
THE LAST MAN FROM STANLEY
Herbert Ward Tells of His Exper-
F ience on the Congo.
IN THE JuNeLEs OF AFRICA.
Curious Customs of Savage Tribes
Hc Thinks the Grcnt Explorer
and Enin Pasha Are Now
at Ngauga.
A COMPANION of stanley.


was one OF the five officers in charge of
the ill-fated camp on the Aruwhimi,
where Stanley's rear guard was located,
writes Herbert Ward, (who recently re-
turned from Africa), in the New York
Morning Journal. am at this momeut
tho last man who has returned TO
civilized country from association with
Mr.. Stauley's lutest explorations in
Africa.
The first year and half l spent in
travelling among the tribes of the Lower
Congo. l applied myself to learning
their language and to obtaining Us much
information as possible ABOUT their Gus
toms and superstitions. They proved
to be the most ignorant and most super
stitious. They lived in small villages
scattered about the country, aud in no
single instance was ruler to be found
with more than a few hundred subjects,
The greatest obstacle 10 progress and
enlightenment in this portion of Africa
was functionary known TO the natives
as the "Nganga Nkissi," or charm doc
tor. Indeed, some OF their beliefs were
past comprehension. For instance,
they carved images which they con-
sidered to be endowed with a super
natural power. In times of drought
they talked to these images and suppli-
Gated them to influence the elements
that rains might come. People whom
they suspected OF being in league with
the unpropitious elements they caught
and kept bound as prisoners until the
rain arrived; then they set them free.
In the event of the mans death large
meeting was held, and the services of
the "Nganga Nkissi" were called in.
The doctor appeared, attired in
feather head-dress, with eyelids painted
white and blood-smeared. Around his
waist hung number of wildcat skins,
while over his left shoulder hung
punches of leopards' claws and snakes
heads.
The charm doctor went through a
series of antics, and eventually picked
upon some unfortunate wretch, whom
he accused of having "eaten the spirit
cruel ordeal by poison. In the event
of the miserable scapegoat succumbiug
to the effects of the highly poisonous
decoction administered to him, his
neighhors reioiced in what they con-
sidered the eminent Justice of the pun
ishment.
might relate, if 1 had space, some
unique stories characteristic of the peo-
pie of this district and their curious
superstitions.
Soon | was put in command of sta
ton at Bangala. 1t should be remem-
bered that it was at Bangala that Stan
ley had his most serious tight with the
natives in the course of his memorable
journey through the Dark continent.
The Bangalas are n large ana pow
erful tribe, and in addition to being
highly savage and ferocious they are
cannibals. They do not, however, eat
people OF their own tribes. 1t Is only
the miserable captlves and purchased
slaves that they devour. This import
ant tribe was at that time governed by
| a magnificent specimen of the African
| savage, Nata Bwilli by name. He was
an old man over six feet high.
AT the commencement of my COM
mand at this station L was forced TO un
| dergo the blood Brotherhood cere-
| mony" in conjunction with this remark
| able potentate. This ceremony, which
| may briefly describe, is practiced
| through all savage Africa. An Incl
F.! sion is made in the arm of each Of the
| participants in it. When the blood
| flows the wounds are sprinkled with
| potash, salt and powder made from a
| species of bean. Then the two incised
| arms are rubbed together. so that the
| flowing blood may intermingle. This
done the two men become blood broth
| ers" and both swear that in times of
need they will assist each other.
After two years OF adventure, some
! of them thrilling in their nature, met
| Stanley when l was on my way down
| country to the coast to embark for Eu-
rope, having fulfilled my term of
service.
| happened to be able to render Stan
| ley most timely service by engaging
| and taking down the country with me
some hundreds of natives for the manual
| transport of the loads of merchandise
and ammunition which Stanley was
| taking into Central Africa.
My actual meeting with Stanley was
picturesque. Stanley saluted me very
| cordially, and ms succinctly as possible
| L related to HIM my adventures, and
| told him how anxious | was to accom-
| pany the Emin Pasha Relief expedition.
| In the end Stanley accepted my serv-
| ces as a volunteer officer, and instructed
| me to hurry down to obtain the mer-
| chandise and ammunition which had
| been left at the point of debarcation,
| Matavi. | was urged to hasten back to
overtake Stanley at Stanley Pool,
| whence the expedition was to embark
oh VIZ ioh6 i''Si JUL Wy 'hS cppSi
| Congo.
L was left in command of the first
camp of the expedition at Bolovo. Stan =
ley in the meanwhile proceeded on to
| the Aruwhimi, where he had made an
intrenched camp, which he left in com
mand of Major Barttelot and Mr.. Jame-
son. Stanley left that camp on the 10Th
of June, 1887, and, according to his
plans, he expected he would return
again after having visited Emin Pasha
about November.
| In due course | arrived at the Aru-
| whimi camp with my men. In March.
1888, no news having been received of
Stanley, the situation was considered
critical, and it was decided that one Of
my party should proceed to the coast
| by forcing way through tho Upper
1 Congo by canoe, with the object OF
communicating by cable with the COM
| mittee of the expedition in London.
| / was selected for this arduogs task,
which successfully performed, accom-.
4 panied by thirty-fve Zanzibaris and
Sou 1anese soldiers. In reply to my
message the committee directed me TO
| return.
On my way back news reached me OF
the assassination of Major Barttelot, at
Bonalya. Further lll-fOrtune was in
store, for information soon arrived that
1 ,t IL, iall