Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1889-12-17

Is 70 narush1pS, has often 70 pay tho penalty
of travel In attacks Of fever and disorders OF
the liver, and this Is q region in which be
cannot march with impunity. Europeans
cannot possibly understand what life in At
RIGA means for the white man, and those who
talk about cfvilizing the country or develop
ing commerce beyond a certain limit are ig-
norant Of the physical conditions that have
to be overcome. When you can depose Satan
from the internal regions and put out the
fires, or, in other words, destroy poison In
the air, kill the venomous reptiles and change
the habits of q race who are living on the
lowest plane of humanity, that part Of Africa
in which have lived may be redeemed, but
not until then. Even though the undevelop-
ed wealth may be enormous, it will, in nv
Judgment, never justify the risk of getting
at it."
81 suppose it is well understood that, as soon
as Stanley arrives in Europe, he viii publish
an account of his explorationsT'
THAT is beyond doubt, and il anything
should happen to him, his memoranda are so
copious and in shch shape that they may be
readily utilized by others. These records are
kept in the most careful manner, the notes
are made at the instant Of discovery and itz
verfficatton, and no data Of geographical,
historical or Of other scientific Importance es-
capes his scrutiny. 1t is worth mentioning
here that the earliest maps made by Stanley,
when the country was new to him, have stood
the test Of experience, and their accuracy to
the present day remains unquestioned."
"1f it is not an impairment question, how
did you happen to be attracted to such God
forsaken country, and when did you first
meet Henry N. Stanleyp'
THAT part of the story is very briefly
told" said Mr.. Ward, who, by the way, rare
ly referred to himself in our interview, and
impresses one es a man Of retiring manners
"After leaving school, or, rather, running
away from it at the age of 10. led a life Of
adventure and travel in various countries OF
the east, notably New Zealand, Australia,
Borneo and along the coasts of China and
Japan, until LII health In the year 1884 forced
me to return to England AS ! regained
strength, the old spirit Of wandering revived,
and in the following autumn l secured an
official position under the king Of Belgium
and started for his domains In the Congo
country. Here l hoped sooner or later to be
thrown in contact with Stanley and to join
his exploring expedition. The first year and
a half l spent in travelling among the tribes
OF the Lower Congo, learning their language
and familiarizing myself with their habits
and peculiarities
81 may say here thot they are the most ig-
norant and superstiticus people which it is
possible to conceive, being degraded beyond
the power of description. My term of serv-
ice in the Congo state having expired in the
early part Of 1887, started on my way to
the coast from Bangala, which had been my
headquarters, intending to embark for Eu-
rope, when news was received Of the ap-
preach of Stanley and the relief expedition
The thought at once occurred that might be
able to render him important assistance by
engaging and taking down the country some
hundreds of natives for the manual transport
Of the loads of merchandise and ammuni-
ton which Stanley WAS taking into Central
Africa.
Our meeting was somewhat unexpected
had broken camp early one morning and
was marching rapidly along, when in the
distance, coming over the brow of hill, l
saw a tall Soudanese warrior bearing yacht
flag, which learned later had belonged to
James Gordon Bennstt. Immediately be-
hind him, mounted on a handsome mule,
came Stanley, and then followed procession
in which were blended features that you
would see nowhere outside of Africa, and
could scarcely be initiated on the mimic
stage.
I'm the rear of Stanley were his personal
attired in braided waistcoats and
white robes. Then came Zanzibaris with
their blankets, water bottles, guns and am
munition belts; strong looking Soudanese
soldtery, with hooded coats, their rifles on
their backs and straps and leather belts
around their bodies; porters bearing boxes Of
to which were fastened axes,
shovels, rope in coils, together with their
own little bundles of clothing, which were in
variably rolled up in old, threadhare
blankets. Stanley at once greeted me with
great cordiality, and, dismounting, we took
a seat by the wayside. 1t was pleasant to
meet white man, speaking your own
tongue, and doubly gratifying to one who
had been so anxious as myself to meet the
great explorer. Producing a cigar from a
silver case which, he remarked casually, had
been given to him the night before his de-
parture from England by the Prince of
Wales, we enjoyed smoke together, and
then and there | offered r1y services as a
volunteer in his expedition. There was no
in the way, and with characteristic
promptness Stanley at once made arrange
ments for 4 subsequent meeting of our people
at Stanley Pool
Moving along the queer cavalcade, now
had an opportunity Of more fully inspecting
his outfit. At one point boat was being
carried in sections, suspended by poles, each
of which was borne by four men. Further
on was the Maxim gun, innocent enough in
appearance, but dangerous weapon to enc
mics Here and there was an English officer.
By the way, two Of them had paid $4,000
each, or e., 900, for the privilege of joining
the expedition. Donkeys, heavily laden with
sacks of rice, were met with, and then the
females Of Tippoo Tbs harem, their faces
and their figures draped in bright
colored clothes. To civilized eyes they were
not particularly attractive lot. A flock OF
large horned goats next came along, and
after these the veritable Tippoo himself ap-
peared in view, strutting with magisterial
dignity in his flowing Arab robes and large
turban, and carrying on his right shoulder
jewel hilted sword that had been presented to
MN by the sultan of Zanzioar as an emblem
II Office At a respectful distance behind fol-
lowed several Arab sheiks, whose dignifed
bearing indicated that they quite appreciated
the Importance of their position. Altogether,
the scene was picturesque and well calculated
o produce the impression intended. Il rep
resented power and state, ana to the simple
minds Of the savages was something marvel
BUS. About 200 men were in line, embracing
many tribes and nationalities, Assyrians,
MalagaSys, Soudanese, Zanziharis and others,
zach wearing the distinguishing garb OF his
)wn country.