The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1890-06-01

Mount Owen Stanley. the highest point in
| New Guinea, was discovered forty-four years
| ago and within the past twelve years several
| futile attempts have boon made to reach its
summit. 1t is only sixty miles from the south
| coast, but eight explorers have in vain at
tempted to roach its tor. defeated in every cnss
either by the difficulties OF the way or the re-
fusal OF tlmid native porters to ascend a moun-
| tain which is the object Of superstltous dread.
| 1t was reserved for Sir William MacGregor,
last year, to reach the goal, and he trlumphed
| because he discovered. west OF tho reutes Of
| other explorers n river, the Nanapa, rising on
the slope OF the mountain, and along whose
valley he travelled far on his way.
| 1t was very difficult undertaking. and
would not have succeeded under loss deter
mined leadership. When most Of his carriers
refused to go further. MacRregor told them he
would Join the natives against them, and they
would have to reckon with whites and blacks
as enemies. When they said they were too
sick to travel he cured them instantly with big
doses OF duinine. and when they asserted that
mon who had been sent back for food did not
intend to return, he told them they lied. and
said he would 20 on with or without food. In
the latter part OF the ascent he made six days
rations hold out for ten days, in spite OF the
ravenous appetite Of Fiji Joe. who, it was die.
covered later. ate two OF the three new speci-
mons OF birds discovered on the mountain.
It took fifty days to reach the top OF Owen
Stanley from the coast Hewng their way
through the dense underground. tho party
sometimes did not travel over a mile day.
Two men were kent clearing path with large
knives. The upper attitudes were more diff
cult than other parts OF the journey. for bam-
boo stems an inch thick were almost as close
together as wheat in field. But in the upper
regions the party emerged above the zone Of
clouds. In which they had wandered for days,
seeing nothing save their immediate surround
ings. They found this stratum Of clouds to bo
nearly mile thick. 1t was necessary now and
then to halt while bridge was built over an
unfordabe branch Of the river. and fall from
one Of these bridges. felled tree. would have
meant instant death. for It spanned the stream
Just above o lofty waterfall.
MacgreRor and his white comrades nearly
forgot tho hardshirs OF that rugged wilderness,
which in all its characteristics gradually
merged from tropical into Alpine, in tho sur
prising novelties which now and then beRuiled
the weary way. One day they came to q sus-
pension bridge over 200 feet long and spanning
chhsm hfty feet above the water The cables
were fifteen rattan canes knotted together at
the ends and fastened to trees on either bank.
The floor was four canes fastened to the cables
five feet above by other rattans. and the sides
were formed OF five stretches OF rattan.
cross section Of the bridge was nearly V
shaped. The party crossed il five at time,
and from all appearances It could have borne
many more. Platform approaches were built
at the ends, and altogether it was a remarka-
BILE structure to DO conceived and carried out
by SO primitive people.
The natives Of these uplands never go to tho
coast. They were on very friendly terms with
the expedition, and sold Macgregor an abund-
ance OF food as long as he was within reach.
They told him they used the bow and spear.
but he never saw weapon in their hands. and
they apparently left them behind when they
visited him, fearing that their intentions would
be misunderstood II they came armed They
told him their legs were too weak and their
breath too short to permit them to go with him
to the mountain top. He thought them phys-
cally superior to tho coast natives and less dis.
trustful OF the whites than those aboriCines
who had seen moro Of them. They urged him
to go no further, and ried to tempt him by
lavish supply of sugar cane. pigs. yams, sweet
potatoes. and bananas to soJourn Il while in
their villages. Previous explorers who at.
tempted Mount Owen Stanley by routes fur
Their east had very different stories to tell OF
he natives. with whom some OF them had seri-
JUS trouble.
AS the climb went on moss. and heath sue.
,eeded to grass. stunted underground to fine
timber. and a temperature OF about co. at noon
20 swelterng heat. The crest of Owen Stanley,
with lts six little peaks was gained at last.
Many days before tho party had passed the
upper limit OF tropical fruits. but far up the
mountain they RECALLED themselves with lus-
'ious strawberries. lcicles were found on tho
crest. and little lrog benumbed with cold In
! pool o. water Far away was glorious Wis.
on OF the sea- but near at hand an oceanl;ke
sXpanse OF snow-white clouds clunE to the
mountain sides far below. concealing the trop-
cal zone. and looking like Il picture OF the Are.
c world. with its icy PEAKS and frozen snow.
They We're far above the region OF mist and
lamp and were breathing the air OF one Of the
lnest climates in the world.
During the two days camp on top OF the
mountain its height was computed at 1871
eet 1t was splendid journey. rich in collec-
ions. and successful in its chief aim. TO conquer
he highest point In the largest island OF tile
world. The only admissible criticism is the
Ittempt OF Sir William Macgregor TO rename
his fine summit Mount Victoria. The splendid
ange and the great summit which IL its chief
attraction were first laid down on the maps
With, approximate correctness by Capt. owen
stanley In lS49. though the highest mountain
vas reported by Lieut. lue three years
arlier For iorty-one years the range and The
mountain have been known on the Admiralty
harts and maps by the name Of Owen Stanley,
md 1t Is to be loped that geoEraphers and
nap makers will decline to ratiiy this attempt
o ignore a great explorer merely to nav an
mDty compliment to the Queen OF England