The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-06-15
A PRODIGAL son.
Return of a SOnOma Boy From
the Dark Continent.
Three Hours in the Ocean hipwrecked in
the Red Sea-Prospeeting the Zambesi
for Gold Home Again


city on the overland train last night was a
Young Californian named George Medley.
The young man Was raised on ranch near
Santa Rosa, but like many another he
wanted to 20 TO sea. His father would not
hear of such a proceeding, 50 Medley ran
away and came 10 San FTaneirco. Before
he was long in this city he found himself
liz a -ailor clearinghouse on Pacific street,
and inside OF a week was on board the ship
Wave Of Life, bound to Liverpool. Long
before she got down TO Cape Horn George
found himself wishing he was back on the
ranch again.
One morning soon after the shin got
around Cape Horn he was sent aloft to
loose the main tOp-gallant sail. There was
q heavy sea running at the time, which
caused the vessel to roll badly, and the
California lad lost his balance and went
overheard.
MAN OVERHEARD.
The mate saw him fall and Selling a life
buoy threw it to him. Medley managed to
grasp il and succeeded in getting it over his
head The watch below was called, the
ship brought to the wind and as soon as
pOssbl the liie-boat was lowered. Med
ley says be had no fear until he saw the boat
after rowing about for some time row back
to the ship. He shouted until he was
hOarSP but was not heard by his reScueTS.
He then gave himself uB for lost, bat the
captain was not satisfied and going aluft
with his glass soon saw the nall
drowned man and sent the boat away again.
This time Medley was picked up. When
rescued he was nearly dead, having been
in tie water over three hours. He was
taken into the cabin and we'll cared for by
the kind-heaTted captain and steward
When the ship reached Liverpool the
crew were paid of, and a few DAYS after
Medley Joined 4 steamer bound TO Zanzibar
with coal Soon after getting through tie
SUyz Canal the steamer was caught in
heavy gale and lost her propeller. Ali the
sail she carried had DO effect on her, and
next morning the ship drlfJed ashore and
the crew had only time to take TO the boats
before she struck, and in short time went
10 pieces.
NOT BORN TO BE DROWNED.
Medley was in the mates boat and had
tie good fortune TO be picked up by the
steamer Giengary, but none OF the other
boats were ever heard Of again,
When the Glengary reached Alden Metley
left her and made his way TO ZsnzI bar,
where he was employed by the American
Consul. His next move was to ship ID a
brig bound down TO the Cape but before
she was a week from Zanzibar she became
WateTOEged and IN order to prevent her
going TO the bottom she was run ashore.
All hands took 20 the two boats, and after
eleven days reached Zanzibar once more.
The heat was terrific and one OF the men
died from the effect, Of il.
When Medley reached the kind-hearted
Cunsu'S house he was again well cared
for and remained there several weeks, when
be joined party Of American and English
miners who were on their way 10 the Fam
besi River prospecting. Medley went
along as cook and was to be
paid q share Of what was made. The
patty was under the direction Of a
man named Graham, who had pIOspected
in Australia, California and South America.
All hands we're well armed with Winches-
ter rifles and took along supplies for two
years. Quelamane, at the mouth of the
river, was reached in a schooner chartered
for that purpose, and IN few days the lit
tie party Of eight white men found them
selves making their way UP the giant
stream ~ a couple OF boats they had
brought from Zanzibar.
IN TIE WILDs OF AFRICA.
Il took the party week to reach the
mouth # the Shire River, about 120 miles
from the coast, aud then trouble began.
They ran against tile Portuguese authori-
lies, who demanded a tax from each of the
miners This was paid, after q good deal of
talk, and then they were told that they
would have to leave their arms behind, as
no one g as allowed 10 carry any on POTtU-
guese territory. This demand the white
men refused TO accede to, and for time 1t
4tthcu ds al lLClt OppltoSolo iuGdiL 10 ldhb
the weapons by force, but they thought bet
ter Of 81 when they found the miners were
determined not To surrender without hight
They were detained al the mouth Of the
Shire nearly two weeks before they were
allowed to depart, and then the party
crossed 20 the south and began the work of
prospecting. Gold was found ali along the
banks u the river until they we're about 100
miles above SIENNA. Here they struck il
rich on 3 small stream or creek that flowed
into the Fam best from the south.
Only the Tudest cOntTlFances were used,
yet from s. to So per day fer each OF the
party was cleaned up each day. The natives
did not trouble them, but the Portuguese
did. a party Of twelve halt-bTeed soldiers
marched into camp one morning and IN
formed the white men that they had to re-
turn TO SIENNA. Rodgers, leader of the party,
had a talk with his men and It was decided
10 stay where they were. A fight ensUed
ana the intTudeTs were forced to retire, but
not before one of their number was killed
and Rodgers had a bullet through his arm.
1t was then decided to move further up the
creek, and half a dozen natives who were
very friendly we're engaged to draw the two
boats ny the stream.
BEsET By WILD ANIMALS.
That night one Of the natives was killed
by lion. The poor fellow was asleep
close to the fire, wien the camp was star
tied by loud roar, followed by screams Of
pain, aud the men jumped 10 their feet in
time to see a big lion disappear IN the dark
ness with the native, whom he had seized
by the thigh. The men seized their rifles
and dashed OF IN pursuit. but the cries
grew fainter and fainter, and soon all trace
Of the poor fellow was lost. Next day the
fierce brute was tracked to a raYine about q
mile away, and, after a sharp tight, was
Killed. All that was lett Of the poor darby
was buried and the party started for camp
On the way Medley bad narrow escape
from the claws Of an immense leopard. He
was walking about twenty feet ahead Of bis
companions when, on passing big rock
he heard a low grOwl, and to his horror be
saw, not ten feet away, leopard ID the
very act of springiDg upon him.
Lowering his rifle TO his shoulder, he fired
but the bullet only wounded the brute. In
stead Of springing at him, the animal now
tried to escape, but was soon dispatched by
The rest of the party. Medley saved the
skin as present for his mother.
THE TRAVELLER RETURNS.
The little party spent nearly fourteen
months 10 the Zambesi country, IN spite oil
the Portuguese, who seemed to have theii
hands full with the English aud the natives
When the party returned to the coast Med
ley secured a passage to the cape ON
coaster and from there made his way T.
New York and so back to California. He
showed several nuggets, some of them a;
large rs marbles, and said his share of tht
venture amounted to about 500. The res
Of the party who furnished the outfit
cleared over $1,000 each.