The free press. (Poplarville, Miss.) 1890-19??, 1893-02-23
lanyard, accosted

tie craft with 6
lanyard, accosted me with, "Want a
boy, srl"
"No."
''Me good boy, sir. Do anything. >
''No, thank you."
81 hear you 60 to Africa, and want
men. l been to America, been fore the
mast, been coachman, been butler in
Brooklyn, with Mr.. Hines. I'd like to
go with you, sir"
"Why, you are quite a prodigy How
old are you2"
Seventeen, sir"
now examined him closely. He was
atall, shapely, comely, intelligent young
man, with curly silk hair and look of
"quite ready for anything" about him.
"Well, what wages do you want2"
Anything you like to give, sir. Dol
lar, two dollar, three dollar a 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 shillings a month, and we
shall see afterward. Eh?"
"Aw-right, SIR" -~-s-.--,
And upon these terms Dualla, the
Somaia boy, entered my service. For
several months did not pay mu:h heed
to him. There had been no occasion for
any exhibition of superior ability or
courage. observed, however, that on
Sunday Dualla attracted every eye by the
splendor and varigated colors OF bis
dress. One time he would resemble a
young Genoese dandy, cnother day he
would astonlsh us by rich Mussulman
his cabin la Zanzibar, in tarboosh and
khansu, but always exceedingly trim and
clean. Still we had several smart young
ZanzibaIis, who, though not such
exquisites as Dualla, were, nevertheless,
favorites for their intelligence and dash,
and as yet there was no chance for
promotion.
One day new rifles were served to
Company No. 1. They were taught
how TO manipulate them, and how to
disconnect their parts. Finally a target
was set up at point blank range, and a
prize was offered to the best shot, and
| in order to show the Zanzibaris what
| good shooting was, five European
| officers were requested to step forward
and exhibit their skill. But, to my
shame, not one white man hit the target.
Dualla was called upon. Straight as
an arrow he stood second and fired.
plugging the target near the center.
A few weeks later while engaged on
the highway for the wagons. | wished
to make an ''indent" for provisions on
the Main Depot below, and asked the
commissarlat officer how many rations
he had distributed that morning. lie
| took out his note book and turned the
leaves over backward and forward so
often that at last / got impatient and
| said.
'.Do yon mean to say you do not re-
member how many rations you arc daily
serving outY"
'I'll tell you directly, SIR" waited
pen in hand for another five minutes.
NV time was valuable every minute
was precious. >,
"Here, Duala," at last cried. "Tell
! this gentleman how many rations he
served out this morning." never suspect
ing that he did know, but as IN indirect
chaff at the commlssariat.
"One hundred and forty-eight, sir.
One hundred and forty-eight pounds
rice, one hundred and forty eight pounds
beaDs," he replied.
"How DO you know" asked' aston
ished.
al help weigh them. sir"
"That will do, thank you.' =,
At Stanley Pool an officer requested
the loan of our new steel barge that ne
might proceed up river ana ViSlt MS
| friends ut the next station.
The steel boat pulled twelve oars anu
completely equipped and launched on
the Upper Congo, had cost us ABOUT
$500. 1t was lent with an injunction
that on his return he should draw he'
up carefully on the beach out OF harnl
way and paddock her chain. Inc h'eu,
tenant faithfully promised, went up
river, and on coming back repor1eo. h'''ie
self and assured me OF the security oi
the boat.