The Emmett index. [volume] (Emmett, Idaho) 1893-1925, 1897-01-16
IN AN AFRICAN wdlAoe
eiave's Picture OF Life In tn. p.rx
Continent.

Slnve's Picture OF Life I'M n, na-x
Continent.
In the Century is printedIs third mr.
ticle made up from the joudnas OF the
late H. j. Glave. who died cd the Congo
after crossing Africa in the Interests OF
this magazine. The article Is entitled
"Glave In Mid-Africa." and contains
graphic descriptions Of lie In the Dark
Continent. Here Is one:
July 31.-Yesterday on arriving at
Aisunka's the chief was absent 40
made camp outside the village ! then
sent messenger to Kisunka informing
him OF my arrival. He sent word thai
ne was at small village OF his few
miles on, and asked me to come In the
morning and see him there. However.
at early morning to-day a messenger
came to my camp from him. saving thar
during the night Kisunka had reflected
that II would be more hospitable to
come to see me. as | was a stranger. In
the forenoon the old fellow arrived at
his village, and Informed me by mes.
senger that he would take a rest. and
then come to see me. sent back a
suitable message, stating that | was
precluded from visiting him by n bad
foot-~-.ln the afternoon Kisunka ap-.
peared-a handsome African. seventy
years old, should say, tall. and as
trinity built as a greyhound. OF very
dark hue; looks black against the
other natives. He was accompanied by
about fifty Of his young warriors fine.
strapping fellows, healthy and slick.
armed with bows and arrows and
spears and few guns. Many came in
to my bona, but the chief ordered the
remainder to stay outside But as soon
as the old fellow was seated, those out
side could not repress their curiosity
TO see and hear all that was going on
inside. The chief told me his entire
belongings were mine during my stay
He was uneasy, owing to the mpetu-
osity Of his followers, and left early SO
as to restore peace and quiet During
the whole day the camp has been
crowded with native men and women
and children trading their corn and
mtara and manioc hairpins copper or
naments, etc, for beads and cloth.
There has been no squabbling, nothing
to mar the general good feeling 1t Is
absolutely impossible to do any liter
AIRY work from the hubbub constantly
maintained from morn to night. If yon
close the tent the heat becomes insult
ferable; as soon as you open 1t a solid
mass of Africans stop the current OF
air. Old and young are in constant bois-
ferrous conversation, discussing and ar
guing about you and your property,
and those not so engaged are shouting
nj the top Of their voices. telling their
friends not to make such din. 1t IS
difficult to produce any sort Of camera
for the first time without creating n
stampede. The nozzle holding the lens
Is always considered some sort OF gun
always show them some photographs
beforehand, and try to convince them
Of the purpose of the camera, and gen.
orally succeed when stay over a day
in village.
August IL visited old Kisunka to-
day. He has n fine, large village OF
dUOul lnltt nuiQi GU hoAo anu Aco~
Of small granaries. When he came to
see me yesterday, | told him | had
heard of a white man being at Mlela
. Mango. and | was anxious to send
p message to. him. Immediately on re-
turning to his village he sent me two
fine. strapping fellows. to whom | paid
fee of two yards OF blue cloth each,
gave them the letter and off they start
ed at a dog trot 1t Is n very busy VII
lace; the blacksmiths bellows consist
of two bags OF softened buckskln,
which his assistant grasps. one with
each hand. and works them. They are
both tied to a nozzle Of wood or clay
tubing pointing to a charcoal fire. The
blacksmith has very primitive tools
an anvil OF hard stone, hammer OF
iron-but then he turns out excellent
work. | have never seen the process or
smelling. but all the Wausi and Walala
obtain their iron by smelling from the
rough ore. The furnaces are made OF
clay. charcoal is the heating power. and
the pure melted iron runs free through
, clay tubing
August 2-Kisuhka furnished me
with two guides y Kasembi; they ar
, rived In good time this morning, with
hair trimmed, and wearing the cloth
gave them yesterday. Kisunka himself
came to see me of. BY some kisunka
would be called a savage. According to
= my Judgment, he is gentleman man
=, OF character and personal force, whose
commands are obeyed by some thou
sands Of people.-Century.