The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1895-12-12
CLAvE IN MID AFRICA.
One of the Last Letters Written by the
Brave Young Explorer.

Brave Young Explorer.
The October Century contains o
tribute by Robert Howard Russell to
the late E. J. Glave, who died in Afri-
ca while conducting an expedition to
investigate the slave trade for the Cen
fury Magazine. The following letter is
quoted, written from Lake Bangweolo:
There is no postoffice at above address.
L must carry this letter myself for an
other 300 miles before 1 can despatch
1t. 1 am just now in very wild part
OF Central Africa. I am travelling up
between the Luapula river and the
Bangweolo lake, toward Lake Moero.
Upon reaching this I shall turn to the
east again, and strike the south end of
Tanganyika; thence I cannot say for
certain, but hope to descend the Con-
go and come out on the west coast. l
have covered lot of new ground, and
got together budget of manuscript,
new, and 1 think of some value as
throwing considerable light upon the
slave trade. have had splendid hunt
lng-bagging lion, zetca Gland and all
sorts of buck antelope. 1 have kept
fifty men supplied with fresh meat for
three months, besides feeding many a
hungry native. My journey has thus
far been most successful, in so far that
nave not had the slightest trouble with
any chief or his people. I have sue
ceeded in making friends everywhere.
MY men, rag-tag- and-bobtail lot, have
Dehaved splendidly, but I am not out
OF the woods yet. I shall have a hne
collection of photographs if [ get out
all right-some of considerable value
L feel confoundedly lonely at times
without white companion, and have
not spoken any English for months.
MY object all along has been to do
snare toward the suppression of slav-
cry, and the information I have gath
ered on this trip in regard to the sub
Ject Will to some extent aid the cause.
L should like to return to Africa, to this
section OF the continent, and take some
active part in the suppression of slav-
cry. l have now only four rifles be-
sides my personal weapons; but with
SOO rifles could rid the whole land be-
tween Lake Nyassa on the east and
Lakes Moero and Bangweolo on the
west of lawless slave raiders. With my
present information, know where the
murderous crews could be hit the hard
est. The cattle plague has played
dreadful havoc among the domestic and
wild animals throughout Central Afri-
ca. A year or two ago vast herds of
buffalo roamed throughout the country
have traversed but have not seen a
single one. have also been unfortun-
ate in the failing to see a rhinoceros,
although 1 have seen their tracks doz-
ems of times, some quite fresh, which I
followed, but with no success. Twice in
the journey the grass has been covered
with frost in the morning miser-
able for my poor blacks, with their bare
feet and legs, and only flowing rags
around their loins: but as soon as the
sun is up the air becomes more genial.
have enjoyed remarkably good health,
and I feel that I am as tough as piano
wire. To be constantly among these ma
tive tribes is not cheerful existence
for lone white man. They are a cruel,
merciless lot, grasping in all their deal
ings, and absolutely untruthfu1; yet,
withal, they are poor, prosecuted peo-
pie, and when subjected to humane gov
eminent they may be wonderfully i'm
proved