Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1890-01-04

but been unable
to execute, because it involved separa-
ton from my father. Put shortly, 1t
was to undertake trading journey Of
exploration right through the countries
now known as the Free State and the
Transvaal. and as much further north
as could go. 1t was an adventurous
scheme, for, though the emigrant Beers
had begun to occupy positions in these
territories, they were still 70 all practi-
cal purposes unexplored. But I was
now alone in the world. and It mattered
little what became Of me; so, driven on
by the overmastering love of adventure.
which, old as am, will perhaps still be
my cause of death, determined to un.
dertake It.
Accordingly sold such stock and
goods as we had upon the station, reserv.
ing only the two best wagons and two
pairs OF oxen. The proceeds invested
In such goods as were then In fashion,
for trading purposes, and In guns and
ammunition. The guns would have
moved any modern explorer to merri
ment; but such as they were I man.
aged to do a good deal Of execution
with them. One of them was q single
barreled, smooth bore, fitted for percus
sion caps--a roer we called it--whicb
threw q three-ounce bali, and was
charged with handful of coarse black
powder. Many is the elephant that
killed with that roer, although 1t gener
ally knocked me backwards when I fired
it, which only did under compulsion.
The best Of the lot, perhaps, was dou
BILE barreled No. 10 shot gun, but 1t had
flint locks. Also, there were some OLD
tower muskets, which might or might
not throw straight at seventy yards. ]
took six Kaffirs with me, and three good
horses, which were supposed to be sailed
that Is, proof against sickness. Among
the Kaffirs was an old fellow named In
daba-zimbi, which, being translated
means tongue Of iron."
suppose he got this name from his
strident voice and exhaustless eloquence.
This man was great character in his
way. He had been noted witch
doctor among neighboring tribe, and
came to the station under the following
circumstances, which, as he plays con-
siderable part in this history, are per-
haps worth recording.
Two years before my fathers death ]
had occasion to search the country
round for some lost oxen. After long
and useless quest 1t occurred to me that
had better go to the place where the
oxen were bred by Kaffir chief, whose
name I forgot, but whose kraal wac
about fifty miles from our station.
There went, and found the oxen safe
at home. The chief entertained me
handsomely, and ON the following morn.
ing went to pay my respects to him
before leaving, and was somewhat sur.
prised to find collection of some hun.
dreds of men and women sitting round
him anxiously watching the sky, In
which the thunder-clouds were banking
up in very ominous way.
"You had better wait, white man,
said the chief, "and see the rain doctors
fight the lightning"
inquired what he meant, and learned
that this man, Indaba-zimbi, had for
some years occupied the position of
wizard-in-chief to the tribe, although he
was not a member of it, having been
born In the country now known az
Zululand. But son Of the chiefs,
man of about 80, had lately set up as
rival In supernatural powers. This irri-
tated Indaba-zimbi beyond measure, and
a quarrel ensued between the two witch
doctors that resulted in a challenge to
trial by lightning being given and &C.
cepted. These were the conditions
The rivals must await the coming of o
serious thunderstorm, no ordinary tenn.
pest would serve their turn. Then,
carrying assegais in their hands, they
must take their stand within fifty PAGES
of each other upon a certain patch Of
ground where the big thunderbolts were
observed to strike continually, and by
the exercise of their occult powers and
invocations to the lightning, must strive
to avert death from themselves and
bring 1t on their rival. The terms Of
this singular match bad been arranged
month previously, bat no storm worthy
Of the occasion had arisen. Now the
local weather prophets believed it to be
brewing.
/ inquired what would happen Il
neither of the men were struck, and
was told that they must then wait for
another storm. If they escaped the
second time, however, they would be
held to be equal in power, and be jointly
consulted by the tribe on occasions of
importance.
The prospect Of being a spectator OF
so unusual sight overcame my desire
to be gone, and I accepted the chiefs in
vitation to see 1t out. Before midday
regretted 1t, for though the western
heavens grew darker and darker, and
the still air heralded the coming of the
storm, yet it did not come. BY o'clock
it became obvious that it must burst
soon-at sunset, the old chief said, and
in the company of the whole assembly
moved down to the place of combat.