New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-09-06
A WOMAN IN AFRICA.
MRS FRENCH SHELDON'S STORY OF HER AR
DUOUS JOURNEY.

MRS. FRENCH SHELDON'S STORY OF HEN AN
DUOUS JOURNEY.
Cardiff, August %.
One Of the most interesting addresses made be-
fore the British Association this year was Mrs
French Sheldons on her journey in Africa, where
she visited Mount Kilma-Njaro and Lake Tchala.
Mrs. Sheldon is best known as literary WORKER
and her trip TO the African wilderness was much
of surprise TO all who knew her. Various mo-
tives were ascrbed to her which she had never
for a moment entertained She made no protes-
sion of possessing scientific attributes, and had no
thought of geographical exploration. Her plan
was to study the native habits and customs Tree
from the influence of civilization aud ID their
primitive condition. She started on her Journey
without companionship or the assistance OF d
lieutenant, and not even with a doctor Inc eN-
petition Of 100 men was personally directed dis
ciplined, and led by herself Her English stew
ardess was taken seriously ILL., and the expedition
had TO carry her for three-fourths OF the dis
lance in a most dangerous condition. The ma
iority of her caravan party were unframed ana
unreliable, and until she gained complete mastery
over them there was a disposition TO be rebelllous
The hazard, however, was taken with eyes open,
and the responsibility was incurred in order that
a norton of the country should he visited which
was solely inhabited by natives who had never
seen the face Of white men women. she re-
ceiyed before starting many hints from men Ike
Mr. Stanley and other travellers. She had be-
sides read most of the books on the subject, ana,
taking warning from their mshaps she trleo 10
effect the formation of caravan free from liapl-
ity TO such dangers but the time was short ana
great haste had TO be made.
The start was made from Zanzibar But there
she had great difficulty in securing suitable men.
The Sultan personally assisted her, however, ana
AZ length the quota was made up. The men were
afierward mutinous, and gave her indescrlbahe
trouble
She had expected hardships, but she did not
expect TO have, day after day, in the solitude oil
the desert to contend with new difficulties when
arose and to overcome which almost needed
more than human aid There was nothing left
to her but to gain absolute control over her men.
This could only be done by an application OF
| the raw-hide whip She often lay awake at night
trying to decide what would he the best thing to
do. Had she consulted her own first impulses
she would have shot more than once every man
! in the caravan. She found, however, that GER
tain degree of patience had TO be cultivated, and
when punishment had to be mcted out it
was necessary to wait patiently for the execution
of orders This delay was of the most difficult
things she had to contend against, because Of her
impotence to have her orders executed. The
hardships entailed by the climate were also very
| great. The rains had begun TO fall, and when
marching she and her party were frequently up to
the armpits in water or half sunk in marshes.
1t was interesting to observe that the natives,
instead of taking to flight on the approach Of her
| party and deserving the caravan paths, came down
! to meet her. BY some system of communication
| all the tribes seemed 30 know of her approach,
and it afforded her no little amusement to hear
| the native men and women describe her in their
own language as woman MASTER They seemed
| not to be able TO comprehend the position Of q
| woman in charge Of caravan; but, instead or
| showing her rudeness the natives from one coast
! TO the other, routes which passed through say
age and wild districts, showed nothing but defer
cnce and homage They treated her in fact as if
She were potentate She frequently received as
| many as ten oxen as mark of homage, and the
chiefs would send messengers and couriers ahead
| in order TO find out whether she intended 10 pass
| through their territory, either going or
returning. But she went straight ahead to
| Kiima-Njaro. Sometimes the natives reconnoitred
| her approach and held aloot. On those occasions
she went frankly toward them with extended
hands containing bright attractive offering as
a present She went into Africa with all deli
cacy and womanlineSs but quite prepared to accept
| things as they were there. Tn one OCCASION d
band of warriors appeared at her camp in an
entire state of nudity. Next day, however, they
reappcared clothed as her own followers We're,
thereby showing that they had OWNED that their
| original state was distasleful TO her. She had
| been invited by both the men and women Of
tribes TO attend their marriage feass, dances, and
! funeral services, which was very rare expert
enee for any one outside the tribe to enjoy.
| On April 26 she started with portion Of her
| caravan TO visit Lake Chala near Kilima-N faro.
! Descent 10 the lake could only be obtained by
| sliding down the rocks. crawling over PROSTATE
trees, forcing way through primitive forests,
| and swinging from tree TO tree like monkeys.
| When she reached the bottom Of the cliffs sur
rounding the lake she thought that it was the
most acTed looking place she had ever seen.
Owing 10 the overhanging cliffs and the strange
| murmur of the water the situation was weird in
state OF tremOr and marvelled at the curious
! aspect of the waves the face OF
the lake. She also puzzled very much over the
origin of those waves, and whether or not there
was a current 10 cause them, but there was neither
inlet nor outlet In the lake to account for them.
A,kind Of raft constructed and the lake was
| cireumnavigated. She was astOnlshed at having
| 20 make constant detOufs into various little
| lake, owing 70 the time taken in the journey was
! eight miles round. But this would now be n0di-
! fled into a distance OF six miles, figure which
| approached more nearly scientific accuracy The
| overcome, much SO that they we're compelled
| to keep the boat near the shore. BY means Of
| plummet the bottom Of the lake was touched at
one point at fifty yards depth In her return
| Journey She met With unfortunate accident
| While being carried in palanqun across q swollen
| torrent the pOrters stumbled and she was thrown
! from a height Of thirty or forty feet. She was
| dropped by her carriers second time, and injury
! 10 her spine was the result.
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