Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1893-01-27

INg>ZZlIsk$M had padded his
zsSEsHH %Own canoe, swung
ST1Hgh.," himself aboard Oul
MteD*. ship, and, after
making fast his lit,
tie craft with 6
lanyard, accosted me with, "Want a
boy, sir9"
"No."
"Me good boy, sir. Do anything
"No, thank you"
al hear you go to Africa, and want
men. I been to America, been fore the
mast, been coachman, been butler in
Brooklyn, with Mr.. Hines. I'd like tc
go with you, sir"
"Why. you are quite prodigy How
old are you9"
"Seventeen, sir
I now examined him closely. He was
bfall, shapely, comely, intelligent young
man. with curly silk hair and look OF
"quite ready for anything" about him.
"Well, what wages do you want4'
Anything you like to give, sir Dol
lar, two dollar, three dollar month
You find out yourself by-m' by what |
worth. If I'm no good, no money"
why, you are extraordinary; I'll
give you ten shiilings month, and we
shall see aiterward. Eh?'
"Aw-right, sir"
And upon these terms Dualla, the
Somalia boy, entered my service. Fol
several months l did not pay mu7h heed
to him. There had been no occasion fol
any exhibition of superior ability or
courage. observed, however, that on
Sunday Dualla attracted every eye by the
splendor ara varigated colors OF his
dress. One time he would resemble a
young Genoese dandy, another day he
would astonish us by rich Mussulman
attire, the Lext he would emerge from
his cabin la Zanzibar, in tarboosh and
khansu, but always exceedingly trim and
clean. Still we had several smart young
Zanzbalis, who, though not such
exquisites as Dualla, were, nevertheless,
favorites for their intelligence and dash,
and as yet there was no chance fol
promotion.
One day new rifles were served tc
Company No. /. They were taught
how 10 manipulate them, and how to
disconnect their parts. Finally targe
was set up at point blank range, and ;
prize was offered to tie best shot, au(
in order to show the Zanzibaris wha
good shooting was, five European
officers we're requested to step forward
and exhibit their skill. But, to m,
shame, not one white man hit the target
Dualla was called upon. Straight q
an arrow he stood a second and fired
plugging the target near the center.
A few weeks later while engaged OIL
the highway for the wagons, / wishe
TO make an "indent" for provisions o.
the Main Depot below. and asked tn
commissarlat officer how many ration
he had distributed that morning. Fl
took out his note book and turned tn
leaves over backward and forward S
often that at last l got impatient an
taid:
''Do you mean to say you do not re
member how many rations you are dali.
serving out3"
"l'll tell you directly, sir" l waiteC
pen in hand for another five minutes
My time was valuable; every minut
was precious.
"Here, Dualla," at last cried. "Tcl
this gentleman how many ratlons h
served out this morning." never suspect
ing that he did know, but as an indirec
chaff at the comnissariat.
"Oue hundred and forty-eight, sir
One hundred and fortY-eight pound
rice, one hundred and forty eight pounds
BEANS" he replied.
"How DO you know" asked, aston
ished.
81 help weigh them, sir"
"Tbat will do, thank you."
At Stanley Pool an officer requested
tue loan of our new steel barge that h'
might proceed up river and visit hi
friends at the next station.
The steel boat pulled twelve oars and
completely equipped and launched ol
the Upper Congo, had cost us abou
$500. 1t was lent with an injunction
that on his return he should draw he
up carefully on the beach out of BARN
way and paddock her chain. The Lieu
tenant faithfully promised, went u
river, and on coming back reported him
self and assured me of the security o
the boat.
The next morning the boat was need
ed for special service. But she was no
on the beach, and no one knew wha
had become of her.
The Lieutenant was questioned, and
was discovered thet he had given tn
orders ior securing the boat, but had no
waited to see his orders carried out
The crew, it then transpired, had simpl
rowed her ashore, and each man ha
sprung out and gone to his own mess
1t was then obvious to all of US that tn
suroe from the Great Cataract, whic
Was but two miles below. had entere'