The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1898-10-26


paratively easy, until we entered th'
territory of one tribe which was a
war with it's neighbors. These woul(
not permit our caravan to pass unti
the impending battle was fought
This gave me an excellent opportunity
to observe the native manner of carry
ing on war, and I watched the battle
in company with the women and chill
dren Of the tribe, from the top Of
neighboring hill. 1t was strange
sight, several thousand naked Malays
advancing in irregular lines, in semi
circles, to meet upon an open plain.
Each party had guns bought from ma
tive traders, who had introduced them
from the Dutch settlements, but they
were used almost entirely as effective
ly as the Spaniards used theirs The
savages advanced with terrific shouts
trying to frighten their opponents.
Each man had loaded his gun with a
tremendous charge of powder, which
he fired when he was ready. AS his
gun went off he fell howling to the
ground from the kick of the heavy
load. This noisy firing, harmful to
the owners of the guns alone, contin-
ued for about half an hour, when a.
shower came up and all of the COM
batants rushed back to their huts for
shelter. The battle was over. Al
though the tribe with which l hap
pened to be admitted itself beaten by
the greater noise of the enemy (there
was not soul killed or, wounded),
they returned as if they had been vic
torious and gave up the night to sing
ing and feasting. The battle was to
be renewed next day, SO aswar dance
took place, but the women, not the
warriors, did the dancing. When the
whole tribe had gathered middle
aged woman rose and began to stamp
the ground in time to the rude music
of the drum and calabash. Her move
ments became quicker and quicker,
she loosened her hair, her eyes flashed,
she seemed to be raging witch. The
chief joined the dance for few min
utes, and as he resumed his seat three
other women dashed forward and join
ed the wild dance, shrieking and
jumping as if possessed. Suddenly
the music ceased, the dancers paused,
death-like stiffness prevailed. The
leading dancer was given mixture Of
palm wine and camphor to refresh
her, she danced again still more wild
ly until she fell exhausted to the
ground, where she lay repeating
visions of victory on the morrow:
ssAt the village of Lontong 1 was
made prisoner, along with carriers.
The chief lad been very friendly when
we first appeared, and we had no
means of knowing why he had made
us captives, but the prospect was very
discouraging. From where I was seat
ed in the native hut which served as
a prison, and which was guarded by
two stalwart blacks armed with jagged
war clubs, could overhear an earnest
discussion going on among the war
riors who had gathered short dis
tance away. The guide who was be-
side me told me that they were dis
cussing the fate of their prisoners,
and as the babble of conversation
went on he interpreted such remarks
as we must overcome them while
they sleep, slay and eat them. 1t is
needless to say such prospect was
sufficient to Danish every thought of
sleep. The guide informed me that
there were two parties to the discus
sion; one wished to kill and cat us
and the other to let US pass. We had
no means of knowing which would
prevail, and we sat all night with our
seven guns loaded and ready for in
staat use, and our pistols by our sides
There was a tumult in the early morn
ing, and We grippcd the guns, ready
to sell our lives as dearly as possible.
There were cries Of 'The enemy the
enemy! and soon it appeared that a
neighboring tribe had attacked the
village, carrying off two Of its women.
A little later the chief called to see
me and said What if we keep you
to work in our fields for year or
two?' I answered: You would not do
such thing, and to prove that I did
not fear him, l gave the chief hand
some pistol, which delighted his saw
age heart and apparently restored him
to the greatest friendliness. Seeing
that / had made an impression,
added, If you dare to touch hair of
our heads our brothers will come and
kill all of YOU The chief immedi-