The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1899-03-10
AN ARABSLAyE HUNT
DESCRIPTION or A RAID ON AN AZ
RiCAN VILLAGE. -

and How 1t WINS ExtOrtcd and Paid.
Perhaps the simplest method of describ-
ing tho raiding system as practiccd by
the Arab bands In the forest region bo-
tween the Aruimi and the kongo would
be in tho form of brief narrative of
events based upon personal observation.
The caravan whose adventures we arc
about to follow was under the command
of Osmani, middle aged Arab who had
penetrated the continent from Zanzibar
more than 30 years before. For two weary
weeks the wretchcd party had Travelled
through an unlnhabted portion of the
great forest, trudging each day through
densely matted underground beneath the
impenctrablo canopy of primeval trees,
and sleeping each night, hungry and
weary, upon tho sotldcn ground in the vi.
tiated atmosphere of decaying vegetation.
One afternoon, when the party WAS al
most in n condition of despair, one of the
Manyema followers sustained deep flesh
wound from hard wood spear which had
been artfully concealed in the bushes be-
side well worn elephant track us a trap,
for the natives of the forest are well skill
ed in woodcraft. Upon discovering this
evidence of man S existence in thevicinity
the caravan halted, while scouts were sent
to survey the surrounding country. In o
short time 1t was reported that within an
hours march large native village had
been sighted Osmani's instructions were
brief. 1.-Two hours before the dawn we
march upon that village. Tonight no fires,
no noise, Sikia"
The night air grew gradually colder A
fierce storm swept over the forest, and the
rain, flltering through the thick foliage
overhead, trickled In continuous streams
upon the naked bodies of the raiders. 1t
was still dark and raining when the
hoarse whisper, "Iendele-tendele upesl"
(March-march quickly passed from one
to another. The party set forth in single
file, No word was spoken, and the only
sound that betokened their progress was a
slight swlshing of leaves and the mu(lled
tread Of naked feet upon the spongy
ground. Upon nearing the village clear
ing each man buckled his ammunition
belt more tightly around his waist and
wound strip of dirty white cotton cloth
about his head to serve as distinguish.
ing mark in the coming attack upon the
naked natives.
With shrill lilac yahH' tho raiders
fired their first volley directly toward the
huts where the natives were sleeping.
'Llah-la-ihu! roarcd the Manyema
as they crashed through the bushes into
the midst Of q multitude of panic stricken
savages, chasing tho black figures hither
and ththcr. Women and children Shrek
ed, fowls flew cackling toward the woods,
', oh tod tlv
but the loud rifle reports and shouts of the
relentless Manycma drowned all other
sounds. Soon the village became enyeloped
In dense white fog of sulphurous smoke
and mist, in the obscurlty of which the
raiders guns flashed forth tongues of fire.
Gradually the tumult ceased. The cool
morning breeze dispelled the heavy cloud
of mist and smoke revealing the victo-
rious raiders wagering through the dev-
astcd village, driving scores of miserable
women and children secured together in
couples by means of lashings around the
wrists. Soon tho early morning sun shone
in all its radiance, its bright beams CLINT
ing through the distant trees in sad con-
trast to the dcsolation of dead bodies and
smoldoring huts. By noon the raiders
had established themselves in the former
homes Of the natives, a rough zeriba Of
brushwood was formed around the outside
to serve as prpcaution against any sud
den attack, and the trembling captivcs
were placed in tho center under a watch.
full guard.
A few days after the attack upon the
village the Arab chief Osmani gave in
structions for two of the Oldest of the cap.
tive women to DO liberated Two feeble
creatures were brought forth and stood in
abject terror before tho marauding Chief
"Go to your people who are hiding in the
forest" said the Arab "Tcll them their
women are alive and tell them that we
will set them free when they bring lis ele.
plant tusks. For each tusk Of All elephant
we will give back one woman If within
five days from row they do not come to
lis with ivory, we will take the women
with us to another country and sell them
to people who will kill and eat them. Col
Tell our words truly" When the poor
women realized they were free to depart,
they darted forward with extraordinary
agility into the woods.
On the morning of the fifth day the Arab
camp was hailed by voice from the forest,
10 ~ lluc Jutiu Jul " O1llth uIt SUlll ullS or
at is true. 1t is indeed true" replied
Manycma In tho native dialect ~ bring
tusks Of elephants But first let me hear
their voices that I may know you speak
truly" The women were soon produced
and were made to shout a reply to the ma
tive chief, who was all this time concealed
from sight among the trees. After much
delay, during which the Manyema in turns
coaAed and threatened the timid and sus-
picious native, the young chief at length
mustered sufficient courage to step forth.
Depositing his burden of ivory in the open,
he glanced meaningly in the direction Of
the Arab camp. Instantly several women
were liberated, and they rushed to the
woods. In this fashion, during several
subsequent days, the Arab chief was grad
ually relieved of his prisoners, and In their
place he became enriched by substantial
stock Of ivory Cassells Magazine