The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1893-02-12

sounds that bctollencd their progress
were Il slight swishing of leaves and the
mutllcd tread of naked feet upon the
| spongy ground.
| The camp, containing numerous ma
tive slaves captured in former raids,
together with Il valuable stock of elc-
| plant tusks, WAS left in charge of fifty
| wcll-armcd Manycma allies of Osmani.
The attacking party ploddcd on
wards through the dark forest until
they came within sight of the village
clearing.
Dawn was just breaking when the
first deadly vollcy was fired, followed
an instant aftcrward by shouts of
Allah 'llah-'la!' as the brutal assail-
ants rushed upon their prey. Women
and children, shriclling and crying, fled
i'll all directions, dazcd by the sudden
onslaught. Fowls flew caciling to-
wards the woods. Mems deep voices
| shouted incohcrcntly, but above the
thrilling uproar of gunshots, cries and
| gronns, the fatal "'ilah-la-ihu" of the
Manycma sounded loud and relentless,
us they crashed through the bushes
into the midst of the multitude of panic
stricken savagcs, chasing the black
figures that darted hither and thithcr,
hurting them to the ground. and bind
ing them with stripes Of plated grass
cord
The sulphurous smoke from the raid
ers' guns, combining with the carly
morning mist, produced dense fog,
which settled in an almost impcnctra-
bic cloud upon the scene; in the obscur-
ity of which the Manyema guns flashed
forth tongues of flame Osmani had
now lost all control over his frcnzied
mob, and their iron slugs whizzed
and whistlcd through the air in all
directions.
In cndeavoring to penetrate the dark
cloud of fog and smoke, the Arab
leader suddenly found himself face to
face with Il burly savage, who bounded
towards him, brandishing huge
sickle shaped knife. Osmani raised
his revolver and fired The savage
groaned and fell heavily to the ground.
But Osmani's aim had proved untrue,
for the savage, recovering from the
shock, endcavorcd to rise. The Arab
stepped forward. "A curse upon Won!
Die, You black tiend!" The revolver
was lcvelcd at the natives head, Os-
mani's finger frightened upon the trig-
ger, but just as he was about 10 fire
the fatal shot he was startled by a
piercing scream. ''IIey, Noyo.' cried
Il female voice at his elbow, and the
next moment native girl spranr for
ward and threw herself at his feet.
CHANGING downward Osmani caught his
breath. The savage maidcn's beauty
fascinated him. Her mute appeal to
spare the wounded natives life was
answered, for Osmani's hand dropped
20 his side lie paid no heed to the
grooming savage. His eyes were riv-
eted upon the graceful maiden at his
feet.
hurried footstcp behind him caused
him to start and turn. The negro Khal-
ifan ran forward.
Hey, Bwana! Greatly have we
feared for our masters safety; we have
searched i'll every place for you"
Pointing to the llnecling girl and
the wounded savage-whose fate had
been so strangely averted-Osmani
waved his hand, saying: Bind them.
Bind them both! Sec that the girl es-
capes not. Bring her to Inc in my camp
at sunset
Gradually the firing and the tumult
ceased. a cool, refreshing breeze dis
PEELED the heavy cloud of mist and
smoke, revealing the victorious raiders
staggering through the devastated
village leading and driving scores of
miserable captives, who skunk along in
awed silence, with bowed heads and
shivering limbs
Then, in complete contrast to the
former scene, shonc the early morning
sun in all its radiance. Its bright
beams glinted through the distant
trees, and fell upon the dcsolated
scene, the narrow streets INSTRUCTED
by the bodies Of the slain, and upon the
smoldcring frame work of many
home. Little sunbirds, with rcsplcn-
dent plumage, lowered around the
| trampled bushes, swarms of flies and
bees filled the air with continuous
buzzing, and large zephyr winged but
tcrilies scared and circled. vulture-likc,
above the ruin.
BY noon the wrctchcd captivcs were
herded together, and Osmani and his
heartless minions commenced the re-
turn march to their forest cncampment.
| The captives were driven in single file.
and occasionally some OF the clatcd
raiders pranccd down on either side Of
the line, executing wild dance and
singing snatches of war songs, which
echoed strangely through the gloomy
woods. Guns were occasionally fired
out OF pure wantonncss, causing the
terrified natives to start and trcmble.
In loud, harsh voices the Manycma
raiders clustered and Dragged of their
cruel prowess, and cursed their ill-for-
tune in permitting SO many of the
natives to escape them during the at
| tack.