The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1893-12-21

be anchored tas it was a point to set
the country over which they passed.
Ferguson therefore selected an ele
yation, the fire was slackened. the bal
loon sank, the thrown out grapne
caught tree, and the days journeg
was at an end. The man servant went
down rope ladder to the ground, Iii
splendid fire, and prepared q dainty
supper. Then the beds We're arranged
in the car, and two slept while the
JhiTd kept watch. turn and turn about
In the morning fresh water and
wood were taken in, the grapnel weigh
ed, the Victoria" ascended. and the
favorable east wind impelled it in the
direction of the interior of Africa.
The second day passed without any
special incidents; and on the afternoon
OF the third the travellers found them
selves over kazch, a town three hun
dred and fifty geographical miles from
Zanzibar A f9w years previously
Captains Burton and Spoke had taken
four and a half months IN covering the
same distance. kazch is one of the
most importent places in Central
Africa. situated in the most fertile
region the Unyamwesy. 1t has been
for centuries the rendezvous for cara
vans. The travellers. therefore. re
solved to draw as near to the town a.
they could. The Victoria" foated
over Kazch, and was soon noticed by
the inhabitants. Men. women, chill
dren, slaves, Arabs, and negroes gath
cred together. Ferguson cast anchor.
and the Victoria, was pulled up over
a rather tall tree. The women and
children approached this tree in sol
emn procession, and stretching out
their hands toward heaven, while the
men set up a fearful row with their
hands and tamborines.
That is their way Of praying" said
Ferguson; they seem to take Us for
supernatural beings. If [ am not
mistaken. We shall play an important
part here"
One Of the men dressed in remark
able costume, who eventually proved
to be a priest. advanced. and waved
his hand. 4 perfect silence ensued,
and lac began delivering a speech in a
most solemn fashion, though IN a Ian
guage which Ferguson did not under
stand. The priest ceased speaking
and the mob held up their hands to
him imploringly, and appeared to be
expecting an answer. FERGUSON saw
that he must do something. and hence
shouted down an Arabic greeting in q
loud and solemn voice The priest at
once answered him in Arabic: he salut
ed the strangers in apparently the
deepest emotion, and then continued:
Such piece Of good fortune had
never before befalIen this country.
1t was true that the goddess had fre-
qUently settled down on the top OF
that lofty hill, but had never before
shown herself so early in the day.
while the sun was still high iii the
heavens. Never had she condescend
cd to come so close to mortals: and
never before had one Of her three sons
addressed them"
Ferguson at once comprehended
that the "Nictoria' was taken for the
moon. He accepted this dignity with
out hesitation, and replied in a con
descendingly kind tone, Only once
every thousand years did their mother
descend in order to hear the wishes of
mortals; and this time she had select
ed the splendid city of kazch. If the
inhabitants had a desire, they were to
express it without any timidity."
Ine priest consulted with few
other men, and then replied, They
certainly had a desire: their Sultan
was i'll, aId they had to no purpose
impIored the favor Of his recovery.
Perhaps the Sons Of the Moon could
help him?"
Ferguson, led by the priest, and
accompanied by the elders, walked
slowly to the royal palace, which was
a considerable distance from the town.
1t was about 3 o'clock in the after
noon. and the sun was at its zenith
it could offer no greater honor to the
ENJOYS Of the moon. The Sultan's
son came to meet the procession, and
threw himself at DR. Eerguss0n's feet.
The Son Of the Moon raised the son of
the Sultan, with kindly gestures.
Three miles further on. the procession
arrived at a pass which displayed all
the treasures Of tropical vegetation;
a large, richly decorated house stood
inside it. and there were numerous
guards powerfully built, handsome
men in the vicinity. Several court
attendants received DR.. Ferguson at
the gateway; he walked through the
harem. in which, however, he noticed
no special signs Of sorrow Most OF
the women were laughing, and smok-
ing long black pipes; six OF them sat
apart selected, in the event Of the
Sultans demise, TO be buried alive
with him, 20 that the potentate might
not want for amusement in his eternal
solitude
Ferguson reached the sick cham
bor. On a costly bed lay a man Of
about forty years of age, utterly worn
probably through his mode Of
life unconscious and motionless. A
bottle of smelling salts brought him
slightly to his senses: he made move
ment, and as he had been lying there
apparently lifeless for several hours.
the movement was regarded as proof
Of restored life. 4 loud yell Of de
light from all present announced to
the crowd waiting outside the success
full result of the divine cure. Fergus
son said. Hail to thee. thou shalt re
cover declined all manifestation OF
gratitude-It was 6 O'clock, and be
was anxious to get back and return
ed TO the anchorage of the Victoria
with the same escort.
We have not a moment TO Lose.
Ferguson shouted to his servant Joe
who in the interval had collected
the country-women around him. and
had made their husbands Jealous: sc
soon as we are in the car. I'll cut the
cable. We have a reserve grapnel."
Ferguson had weighty reason fol
/ the greatest haste; he noticed, namely
that bright light was rising in the