The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1891-01-07

Seldom makes a wicked man.
-
Stanley In Time Of Danger.
A reporter of the Detroit Free Press
elicits an interesting story from Henry
NJ. Stanley In answer to the question.
I'm oil your experiences as war cor
respondent and explorer what was the
most thrilling and dangerous situation
In which you were plaoedY
81 hardly know, have been In 80
many tight places. However, think
that the escape from the Island of
Bumbirch was about as exciting as
any remember. 1t was In 1876. Our
party consisted of eleven persons, and
sor six hours our fate hung trembling
ly In the. balance. We were short. Of
men to go to the island in quest OF
some. He said he knew the natives
we'll, and that they were peaeeable
and favolably disposed.
'sThe island was about eight miles
from the main land on which our
camp was located, and we started for
the island in o long two-ton boat,
which was propelled by, paddles, but
also had sail attached. was not
fayorably impressed with the proposed
journey, but the men were so hungry
and the man who knew the natives OF
the island SO we'll was SO positive as to
their friendly character that finally
consented. As a precaution took an
elephant gun, several rifles and q good
stock OF ammunition. As we neared the
island noticed that the natives were
rather excited In their actions, but
they came into the water smiling and
making friendly signs. About 800
waded out to meet us. As our boat
glided in among them their demeanor
suddenly changed. They uttered u
blood-eurdling yell, seized our craft
on each side, and with sudden rush
landed the boat high and dry on tho
beach sixty feet from the water. We
were prisoners.
This WAS at 0 o'clock in the morning,
and until 8 in the afternoon we were
constantly threatened with death.
Our man who knew the natives so well
was struck with a club and knocked
senseless, and the natives pulled my
hair thinking 1t was q wig. Spears
were held at our throats and arrows
drawn TO the head, but 1t seems we
were spared for some more elaborate
killing. AT O'Clock, by command OF
the king, all the natives retired 100
yards from where we were and engaged
In conference as to the disposal of
their prisoners. Then l turned to
Sofani, our eoxswain, and asked: If
l make n plan to escape can you and
the others give me full obedience2
Will you do exactly as l say3 For IL
you will will save you. You have
promised often, but so frequently
failed me. III we remain here we shall
be dead men in thirty minutes Their
answer was: Try us, MASTER
'Irhen instructed an equal number
, of men to ait down OH each side OF the
boat in as careless manner as posi-
BILE. Sofani told to take a number OF
bright pieces OF cloth, which he had,
and unfolding them one by one walk
slowly in the direction of the natives,
and apparently looking at the cloth.
| This was TO attract their attention and
keep their eyes away from the boat.
| There were 60 feet over which the boat
had to be pushed, a task for ten men.
Seeing that tho rifles were all In good
position, started. Sofani toward the
natives md instructed the other men
that they must not stop pushing the
boat, even il speared. AS Sofani walk
ed slowly toward the savages, unfold
ing the cloths and gazing intently at
| them, could see that the natives were
| puzzled, but they did not notice the
actions of those at the boat. When
the coxswain was fifty feet away from
us suddenly gave the signal to push
| off the boat, and at the same time got
my rifle ready TO kill the foremost OF
the pursuers.
'The boat moved slowly at first, and
/ the savages did not notice il until il
had got well started. Then they came
down upon us like an avalanche. They
had l00 yards to run, and VIC had only
a few feet more to push tho boat. The
sayages were close to Solani. and one
| tall fellow was lcvelinw sr5dr " hen
/ sent a bullet through his head. An
other pulled an arrow TO the head, but
/ sent him to join his brother savage.
| At last the boat Is IN tho water, and
with supreme effort is pushed into
the lake, tho men swimming at the
sides. They tried 10 Chamber In, but ]
told them to keep in the water and
| sWim out with the boat. Sofani, few
| feet In advance OF the mad rush OF the
natives, paused on tho bank and fall
| tered, but yelled to him to jump in,
| and he reached us safely.
| Eve had escaped the murderous
mob, but as they had stolen our oars
we were rather helpless. The boards
| in the bottom of the boat were torn up
and utilized as paddles. Hardly had
| we got started when two monstrons
nlppOpotdlhfi Open-nOuUneut maze Ill
rectly for us. One snap Of their huge
jaws would have wrecked our boat.
\ In this emergency took my elephant
gun and sent an explosive she'll into
| the threats of the monsters. Having
got rid Of these a new danger up
peared. The natives rugged up two
| war canoes and soon overhauled us. !
again hnd recourse to tho elephant
gun and sunk both canoes Ia q twink
ling. Hosting our sail we then soon
| reached the main land. AS we were
pushing the beat off the Island / got
an arrow In the wTist.n
SHIT, OHiS CATARRH RFMFDY A