The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1893-02-16
SLAVE RAIDERS ROMANCE.

. SLAVE RAIDERS ROMANCE.
Alone in a dark corner of his tent,
toying with the beads of his rosary,
sat Osmani ibn Seyf. His swarthy
Arab face was lined and careworn. and
his eyes were downcast in thoughtful
mood.
For six weeks this famous slave
raider had led his caravan of Manyema
marauders and captivcs through the
dismal depths Of the great African for
est in search of human prey. Day by
day they had trudged through thOrny
Uuderug0wth. beneath the impcnetra-
hle canopy Of primeyal trees; and each
night they had slept, hungry, upon the
soGden ground, IN the viliated atmos-
pherc OF dCcaying vegetation.
Tho region they had trayerscd was
uniuhabitcd.
That afternoon a Manyema follower
had been wounded by 4 wooden spear.
adroitly concealed in the bushes. by
the side Of a well worn elephant
track.
Here at last was an evidence OF man.
The caravan had halted. formed IN
effective zcreba. and Usm?ni had dis
patched scouts to survey the vicinity.
"Hod!,' cried a voice from without.
O-mani started from his reyeric and
iu-tiuctiyciy reached toward the load
ed rifle by his side.
"karih'
\ curtain was drawn aside, reveal
ing the figure of an armed negro.
All. khalitan."
= laam bWaGa.' the negro crossed
his hand, upon his breast and bowed.
"khahari @aui? Speak, what news?"
"Gooi news" replied the negro,
mindful of preserving a good omen;
"lEc scouts have returned"
"Eema. And what have they found?"
In a few words the negro explained
that the scouts had discovered traces
oi a large native village, situated
abouttro hours march to the eastward
Of their cncampmcnl.
Osmani's face instantly lighted at
is WELL said he. The sun is now
setting. Two hours before the dawn
we march upon that village. Tonight,
no fires. no noise, "Sikia."
Our masters words are law"
"Hava, May Allah preserve us"
aud Osmani waved his hand in token
Of dismissal.
With profound saIaam, the negro
Withdrew. Sentincls were posted, and
soon the camp was wrapped in sIum-
Der.
The night air grew cold. \ storm
swept over the forest. The rain filter
cd through the thick foliage overhead.
and triuhied in streams upon the naked
bodies Of the miserable wanderers,
who grumbIed, and crouched together
i'm groups.
Il was still dark and cheerless when
O>maui emerged from his tent
"Hmilla, >imillia Make way, there,
for BWaua Osmaul,"
Silent and Su!lcn the Manyema
Uarau lcrs arose, stretched their stiff
fened limbs, and buckled their ammu-
milton belts around their waists. Each
man rolled a strip of dirty white cot
ton-cloth around his head, tur@an-
wise. to serve as discriminating
mark in the coming fray with the
naked savages.
"Tendele! Tendele, upesi," The or
der to march 2Choed through the
camp, and in few minutes Osmani
and his marauders started forth in
single file. No word w"s spoken, and
the only sounds t3at DctOkcncd their
progress was a Slight swishing of
leaves and the muflied tread of naked
feet upon the spongy ground.
The camp containing numerous ma
tive slaves captured in former raids,
together with a valuable stock Of ele-
plant tusks, was left in charge of fifty
wcll-armed Manyema allies Of Os-
mani.
The attacking party pIodded on
wards through the dark forest until
they thev came within sight of the
yillare clearing.
Dawn was iu>t breaking when the
first deadly vo,iey was fired. followed
an instant afterwards 10y shouts Of
"Allah-llah-Ial' as the brutal assail-
ants rushed upon their prev. Women
/ and children, sbriakinp and CRYING.
! fled In al1 directions. dazcd by the sud
/ den ONSLAUGHT. Fowls flew cackling
toward the woods. Mems deep voices
shouted iucohcrgntlv. but above the
thrilling unroar Of gunshots. cries. and
! grOaus the fatal "Ilah-la-inu' of the
/ Nauyema sounded loud and relent-
less. as they crashed through the
bushes into the midst Of the multitude
Of panic-strickcn savages, chasing the