Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1893-02-17

limbs, and buckled their ammunitio
belts around their waists. Each MA
rolled strip of dirty white cotton-clot
around his head. turban-wise, to serv
us discriminating mark in the comin
fray with the naked savages.
''Tendele! Tendele, upesir' The OF
der to march echoed through the camr
and in a few minutes Osmam and hi
marauders started forth in single file
NO word was spoken, and the onl,
sounds that betokened their progress
was u slight swishing Of leaves and tn,
mutfied tread of naked feet upon til,
spongy ground.
The camp, containing numerous nativ,
slaves captured in former raids, togethe
with valuable stock Of elephant tusks
was left in charge of fifty well-armet
AIanyema allies of OSmani.
The attacking party plodded onward.
through the dark forest until they came
within sight Of the village clearing
Dawn was just breaking when the
first deadly volley was fired, followed ar
instant afterwards by shouts of Allah
'lah-1a!' as the brutal aSsailantS rushed
upon their prey. Women and children
shrieking and crying, fled in all di
rections, dazed by the sudden onslaught
Fowls flew cackling towards the woods
Mems deep voices shouted incoherently
but above the thrilling uproar of gun
shots, cries, and groans, the fatal ''llah,
la-ihu'' Of the Manyema sounded loud
aud relentless, as they crashed through
! the bushes into the midst of the lnul-
/ titude of panic-sIicken savages, chasing
| the black figures that darted hither and
thither, hurting them to the ground, and
binding them with stripes of plated
grass cord.
! The sulphurous smoke from the raid
ers' guns, combining with the early
morning mist, produced a dense fog,
which settled in an almost impenetrable
cloud upon the scene; in the obscurity
Of which the Manyema guns flashed
forth tongues of flame. Osmani had
now lost all control over his frenzied
mob, and their iron slugs whizzed and
whistled through the air in all direc-
tons.
In endeavoling to penetrate the dark
cloud of fog and smoke, the Arab leader
suddenly found himself face to face with
a burly savage, who bounded towards
him, brandishing 4 huge sickle-shaped
! knife. Osmani raised his revolver and
fired. The savage groaned, and fell
heavily to the ground. But Osmam's
aim had proved untrue, for the savage,
recovering from the shock, endeavorel
to rise. The Arab stepped forward
The curse upon you! Die, you black
t :iend! The revolver was leveled at the
natives head, Osmani's finger frightened
upon the trigger, but just as he was a.
bout to fire the fatal shot he was startled
by a piercing scream. Hey! Hoyo!"
cried a female voice at his elbow, and
the next moment a native girl sprang
forward and threw herself at his feet
CHANGING downward Osmani caught his
breath. The savage maiden's beauty
fascinated him. Her mute appeal to
spare the wounded natives life was
answered, for Osmani's hand dropped
to his side. He paid no heed to the
groaning savage. His eyes were riveted
upon the graceful maiden at his feet
A hurried footstep behind him caused
him to start and turn. The negro Kha-
lifan ran forward.
Hey, Bwana! Greatly have we
feared for our masters safety; we
have searched in every place for you"
Pointing to the kneeling girl and the
so strangely averted-Osmaniw waved his
hand, saying: Bind them. Bind them
both! See that the girl escapes not
Bring her to me in my camp at sunset"
Gradually the firing and the tumuIt
ceased. A cool, refreshing breeze dis.
PEELED the heavy cloud Of mist and
smoke, revealing the victorious Riders
staggering through the devastated vii
lage leading and driving scores of mis-
cradle captives, who skunk along in
awed silence, with bowed heads and
shivering limbs.
Then, in complete contrast to the
former scene, shOne the early morning
sun in all its radiance. Its bright beams
glinted through the distant trees, and
fell upon the desolated scene, the mar
row streets obstructed by the bodies Of
the slain, and upon the smouldering
framework of many a home. Little
sunbirds, with respondent plumage,
lowered around the trampled bushes,
swarms of flies and bees filled the air
with continuous buzzing, and large
zephyr-winged butterflies scared and
circled vulture-like above the rui n.
By noon the wretched captives We're
herded together, and Osmani and his
heartless minions commenced the re-
turn march to their forest encampment
The captives were driven in single file,
and occasionally some of the elated
raiders pranced down on either side Of
the line, executing a wild dance and
echoed strangely through the gloomy
woods Guns were occasionally fired
out Of pure wantonness, causing the
terrified natives to start and tremble.
In loud, harsh voices the Manyema
raiders clustered and Dragged of their
cruel prowess, and cursed their ILL
fortune in permitting so many Of the
natives TO escape them during the at
tack.
The arrival in the encampment was
distinguished by triumphant shouts and
bowls. The marauders were beside
val between their arrival and the set
ting of the SUN was occupied by drink
ing and feasting. After securing their
captives by means of grumnets and
forked sticks. the successful raiders