Telegram-herald., 1890-08-05
IN AN AFRICAN DESERT.
Terrible Experience or a Deserted
Explorer.

Explorer.
The colonial policy Of Germany dates
back only few years. but the master
hand which planned and executed the
eDdden acquisition OF vast tracts IN
Africa and Austral4 4sia was busily pre-
pairing Tor years ahead. The astonish-
meat ot the colonial powers Was COM
ple.e 20 this unexpected stoke OF na-
tlon which did not own square inch
outside Of IT'S own frontiers, and which
had always maintained that colonies
were a source OF weakness 10 the
mother country. The time was well
chosen Englend WIS having deal OF
trouble with the Zulus. Beers and the
= raalconte Ia Egypt. and Frarce had
her hands full with wars in Tonquin
and Madagascar. These Disturbances
facilitated tho dealings with tho African
tribes. and only when the German flag
was waving over some OF tho most de-
sirous tracts In Africa did the other
powers realize how they had been fore
stalled.
Out OF party OF twelve army officers
which left Germany in 1850 20 explore
and navigate in SOathern Africa only
three reached home in 1884. Several
were killed by wild animals and snake
bites. others were murdered by hostile
natives, others succuu ubed 20 the climate
or perished IN the desert OF the three
survivors the writer was one, though
there were times when he despaircd OF
seeing the sun rise again Sometimes
az the mercy OF loodthirsty, crazy
chiefs. sometimes robbed and deserted
by treacherOus servants, sometimes ac-
cuscd as spies By English or Boers-
death by violence. hunger or thirss
1urksd on every side. and escape seemed
impossible.
Four Of Us had explored and mapped
the west coast from Orange river to
Walhsch boy by the end of September.
1ss2. Our labors completed, we were
thinking OF home when We received or
ders 70 form two expeditions and start
eastward Oeo party was 80 go by way
81 Lake Nga al, tho other by Latakoo.
We drew lots for choice Of route. and,
having won. Liout. V. R and 1 chose
tho northern course. We took five Hot
tentots IS drivers OF our eighteen span
Of oxen. attached 70 huge vaar, or
wagon, three riding horses, and twenty
head OF cattle. We expected TO load up
with a good supply OF ivory, skins and
os.rich plumes, and we were not mis-
taken At . cost OF about $500 worth Of
cloth. knives, guns, beads. mirrors. ctc.,
We possessed ourselves OF about S11. 900
worth 81 goods. We had 10 hurry for
ward or else NO could have augmented
this by our rifles
After surveying the country and con-
vincinr numerous tribes OF tho mighty
power o. Germany. &c left tho Okawan-
go river In December and anticipated
lissle trouble IN reaching the Trans
vaaL We had hired four mea of tho
Balala tribe before leaving Lake Ngami
and were pushing ahead rapidly My
companion was o little too inpcrious
and hot-eomperrd In bis treatment OF
cur servants Bold and fearless and
possessing great personal strength, 10
relied on bis authority and word os com
rnaul aad used lt'lo diplomacy IN his
dealings With them For some d.ys
they bad beCu Durmuring and one daT
thoy broke ont into opcn revolt Won
r. knocked two of them down and as
they had no weapons they were soon
brought into submission. We kept an
eve on them Tor few DAYS and took
turnsat watching nights, bus our threats
az death 90 any grurn bier seemed 20 havo
crushed them.
One night ve we're encampcd on tbs
western borders OF the kalahari Desert
Won R. and were both awakened
from sound sleep by hearing a gun
fred We jumped up and felt for 7ar
rides-they bad beon renOvcdi Just
then one of Tho Balala fellows cried out
IN Yusrh. Get out o. tho ear and runr'
The sshers joined IN ard cried. Hun:
the brush. yoa do-s-ges ortl"
We snranv out of the wagon. and n
the Hght % The campfire We saw that
The rascallY blacks bad armed them
selves with our rifles and revolvers and
were aiming rirhs az Us One % the
Hottentots could speak little EnSiish.
aat. unknown to the 0-hers. I tried "a
induce him to give ne bis rife, prom
isinr him unhear3 - riches. snd
threatening a fearfnl revenge for tbs
robbery Il he 1id rot f0rsa<e bis con-
ra.fes he answered. owe shoot you
who know" Lioutcnant Non r.
was storming st che Others in Dutch. bit
q 10 eject Unarmcd - eoul5 Go
nothing. ard the rascals drove ~ ont q
the caup W. lav down fn the sani
about afsY yards away. and saw tho rob
brrs harness the drsu~b oxen and start
OF north wards a. early dawn As FAR a.
tsn~ could see az they reviled 81 ard
IN. hir Rslsla fellow fred az - several
tf-ues. but withoat d0ing anT damaTn.
We vent back - tae s-clderinz camp
fres snd uirSed NJ some fragments 81
shar-aa a,eas-reuanans = cur supper.
n the heart % tho 8esert Tishont t9od
water -r Vearo0s. thors seemed bus ~
tfo .hance fer car Hves We yesci rei
= ~ou-in-te ~ travel eastward and. a
oar only hone lag in making TIE bes1 81
cur rressns strength. se started a. cnce.
Afsar a few miles we eSr1e upon =
~oifs - veilew Anestoue For t1ree
horrs or - ea scrsra laed ever haTe
fs--fsers bus re faarfal heat e tee
eun vas .ec niuch for rs. and az Noon ~
-~rrr f-rce3 81 lie n the stsae - scyae
I - --s'-s sxaaEsted A2d rsnslnz w