The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1894-02-11
A PERILOUS JOURNEY
DR.. Johnston Tells of Some Of His
Adventures in Africa.
A Narrow Escape from Death in the
Matabele Country at the Hands Of
Treacherous Natives.

DR.. James Johnston. whose recent jour
neyings through the south central part Of
Africa have excited so much interest, is
stopping with the family of Mr.. and Mrs.
Joseph r. Robinson, at No. 81 East Mich
igan street Four years ago this fall DR..
Johnston was in the city. and after re-
ceiving financial aid from his many friends
here he went almost directly 10 the scene
of his journeyings. DR.. Johnston removed
his home from Scotland years ago on ac-
count of i'll health to his plantation in ia
maica, on which he resided for several
years. During all this time he was greatly
interested in the field of the medical mis-
sionaries, and he finally conceived the idea
OF engaging a number Of native Jamaicans
and entering the field for himself. Thus, in
the fall, three years ago, with these ma
tiveS and without the companionship of a
white man, he started on his journeyings
and adventure, which have attracted the at
tention of all the world. and which he has
narrated in a book of recent publication.
1t was not the intention of DR.. Johnston
to force his way through the country Of the
hostile tribes, as did Stanley and others,
or to make his way along gradually as a
religious missionary, as did DR.. Livingston,
but he went there intent on seeing the
country and to offer his medical skill, un-
known to any Of the interior tribes. With
this plan of action always before him. he
succeeded in covering territory that no
white man had ever set foot on before. He
found that il was much easier for him TO
progress through previously unviSited coun-
tries. He was suspicious of every one. One
thing Indicative of this fact is that he had
his guns so arranged that no one knew how
to use them but himself, for fear of an up
rising of his followers who, while carrying
them, would use them against him. Dur
ing his travels he experienced many haz-
ardous adventures. but his suspicion OF ev-
cry one and his presence of mind carried
him safely through them all.
An adventure experienced In the Matabele
country illustrates the common danger to
which he was exposed. He was lying in the
doorway OF his tent one evening when he
noticed certain unusual actions of the ma
tives. which continued until after he had
looked repeatedly at his couch spread out on
one side of his tent, and apparently were
very much concerned as to its exact loca-
ton. Such was his experience that he knew
at once that they were intending to treach-
erously kill him during the night. He re-
moved his bed to the other side of the tent
midnight he heard the descent Of a spear
as ii crashed through the tent and struck
hard and fast in the ground where his
couch had been before it's removal. He
waited and soon another crashed through
and stuck close beside. Another and Z
fourth followed, and all was still. He waited
~. ~ ~. h0-a hONA-o "NN
calmly turned himself over on his side and
went to- sleep. In the morning. on his APP
pearance, the natives were paralyzed with
fear. he explained TO them that he was
charmed. The story had its force and he
was assisted many miles along his route by
the fearing natives. This is but one OF the
many experiences that DR.. Johnston has so
Interestingly told in his book.
DR.. Johnston is Thoroughly acquainted with
the territory in which war is being waged
between the English and the Matabele I'M
der their renowned king, Lobengula. He
says that the Matabele are a desperate peo-
pie, and will continue to stir up war as
long as they exist in numbers sufficient to
be called a tribe. DR.. Johnston Is an expert
photographer and he has with him many
views of celebrated spots IN central Africa,
including the falls of the Zambezi. which
are likened to Niagara. On returning from
Africa, DR.. Johnston brought with him the
Jamaicans, who are now at their homes
on their island. The Jamaicans are enthu-
siastic over the countries OF Africa, and
are DESTROYS Of returning. 1t is the inten-
ton of DR.. Johnston TO remain in this city
until the latter part Of this week. This
evening he Will be heard from the pulpit Of
the Second Presbyterian Church. He will
lecture at Plymouth Church on Tuesday
night. His lecture will be illustrated by a
number Of the views, all of his OWN taking.