The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1894-01-27


the very good reason that 1 did moi
wish to be eaten alive by the savage
tribe that infested that region, but
the company provided me with a
close fitting suit of mail, which
wore from the time we started until
1 returned. 1t was very fortunate
for me that | was so provided, for on
three distinct occasions l was served
up at state dinners and each time
successfully resisted the carving
knife, and as a'result, was thereafter
we'll received, all the chiefs looking
upon me as one who bore a charmed
existence.
Here ethe major paused long enough
tor Mollie and Jack to reflect upon
and realize the terrors which beset
him on his way to Lake Majolica,
and be it said that if they had
thought him brave before they now
deemed him a very hero of heroes.
When set out, resumed the
Major, | was accompanied by ten
Zanz.baris and a thousand cans OF
condensed dinners.
A thousand what, Uncle Major
asked Jack.
Condensed dinners, said the Major
l had lot of my iavorite dinners
condensed and canned. l didn't
expect to be gone more than a year
and a thousand dinners condensed
and canned, together with the food
l expected to find on the way
elephant meat, rhinoceros and tigers
i thought would suffice for the
trip. l could eat the condensed
dinners and my followers could have
the elephants meat. rhinoceros and
tigers-not to mention the bananas
and other fruit which grow wild in
the African Jungle. 1t was not long
however before | made the discovery
that a Zanzibari. in order to eat
tigers, needs to learn first how to
keep tigers from eating him. We
went to bed late one night on the
fourth day out from Lollokolela, and
when we walked up the next morn
ing every mothers son of US, save
myself had been eaten by the tigers,
and again it was nothing but my
coat of mail that saved me- You
can imagine my distress at having to
continue the search for Lake Majol-
ica alone. 1t was then that | acquired
the habit of talking to. myself. |
walked on for days and days, until
finally, on Christmas eve, l reached
King Mtulu's palace. Of course
your idea Of palace is a magnifc-
ant five story building, with beautiful
carvings all over the front it,
marble staircases and handsomely
painted and gilded ceilings. King
Mtulu's palace was nothing of this
sort, although tor that region it was
quite magnificent, the walls being
decorated with elephants tusks,
crocodile teeth and many other
treasurers such as delight the soul of
the Central African.
Now as l may not have told you
King Mtulu was the hercest OF the
African chiefs, and it is said that up
to the time when | outwitted him no
white man had ever encountered him
and lived to tell the tale. Conse
quently, when without knowing it,
on this sultry Christmas eve, laden
with the luggage and canned
dinners and other things | had
brought with me, | stumbled upon
the blood thirsty monarch, Ieave
myself up for lost.
Who comes here to disturb the
royal peace? cried Mtulu. savagely
IL Il
1t is l, your Highness, 1 returned
my face blanching. for | recognized
him at once by the ivory ring ht
he wore in the end of his nose.
Who is II retorted Mtulu, picking
up his battle ak and striding tor
ward.
A happy thought struck me fhen.
These folks are superstitious
Perhaps the missionaries may hav'
told these uncivilized creatures tn,
story of Santa Claus. l will pretene
that | am Santa Claus. So answer
ed. Who is l 0 Mtulu, bravest o
the Taate chiefs2 am Santa Claus
the childrens friend, and the beare
OF gifts to and for all.
Mtulu, gazed at me narrowly tor
minute, and then he beat lightl,
upon a tom tom by his side. immen
ately 80 of the most villainous look
ing natives cached armed with clu'
appeared.
Arrest that man, said Mtulu, be
fore he goes any further. He is al
imposter
If your Majesty pleases,' be
gan.
Silence, he cried, am fierce an
l eat men, but | love truth. Th
truthful man has nothing to fea
from me, for | have been converte'
from my evil ways, and since las
New Years Day have eaten onl
those who have attempted to deceiv
me. You will be served raw q
dinner tomorrow night My respee
for your record as man of courag
leads me to spare you the torture {
the frying pan.
So | was carried off and put in
mud hovel, thr interior walls {
which we're white, a fact whicI
strangely enough preserved my Iii