The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1899-01-31
ARAB SLAVE HUNTERS.
From Casselrg Magazine.l

lFrom CaSSelpS Magaz1ne.1
Perhaps the simplest method of de-
Scr1blng the raiding system, as prac-
tlced by the Arab bands in the forest
region between Aruirni and the Congo,
would be in the form of a brief MARIA
tive of events based upon personal OBJ
SerVation. The caravan whose adven-
lures we are about to follow was under
the command of Osmani, a middle-aged
Arab, who had penetrated the continent
from Zanzibar more than twenty years
before. For two weary weeks the
wretched party had Travelled through
an uninha bited portion of a great for
est, trudg1ng each day through densely
matted underground beneath the i'm
penetrable canopy of primeval trees,
and sleeping each night, hungry and
weary, upon the sodden ground in the
V1tlated atmosphere of decaying Vege-
tation. One afternoon. when the party
was almost in a condition of despair,
one of the Manyema followers sus-
tanned deep flesh wound from a hard
wood spear, which had been artfully
concealed in the bushes besides a well
worn elephant track as a trap, for the
natives of the forest are well skilled in
woodcraft. Upon discovering this evil
dence of mans existence in the vicinity
the caravan halted, while scouts were
sent to survey the surrounding country.
In short time it was reported that
within an hours march a. large native
village had been sighted. Osmani's in
Structions We're brief: 1.-TWO hours be-
fore the dawn we march upon that viii
lage. Tonight no fires, no noise, Sikia!''
Inc night air grew gradually colder.
A fierce storm swept over the forest,
and the rain, fltering 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, ''Tendelei
Tendele upesi' (March, march quickly,
passed from one to another. The party
set forth in single file; no word was
spoken, and the only sound that be-
tokened their progress was a slight
swishing of leaves and the muffled tread
of naked feet upon the spongy ground.
Upon nearing the village clearing each
man buckled his ammunition belt more
tightly around his waist and wound a
strip of dirty white cotton cloth about
his head to serve as a distinguishing
mark in the coming attack upon the
naked natives. With a shril 'Hae
Yah!' the raiders fired their first vol
ley directly toward the huts where the
natives were sleeping. "Llah-la-
ihu!'' roared the Manyema, as they
crashed through the bushes into the
midst of a multitude of panic-stricken
savages, chasing the black figures hith-
er and thither. Women and children
shrieked, fowls few cackling toward the
woods, mems deep voices shouted inco-
herently; but the loud rife reports and
shouts of the relentless Manyema
drowned all other sounds. Soon the viii
lage became enveloped in a dense white
fog of sulphurous smoke and mist, in
the obscurity of which the raiders guns
Gradually the tunult ceased. The cool
morning breeze dispelled the heavy
cloud of mist and smoke, revealing the
victorious raiders staggering through
the devastated village, driving scores of
miserable women and children secured
together in couples by means of lash
ings around the waists. Soon the early
morning sun shone in all its radiance,
its bright beams glinting through the
distant trees, in sad contrast to the
desolation of dead bodies and smould
ering huts- BY noon the raiders had
established themselves in the former
home of the natives; a rough zeriba of
brushwood was formed around the out
side to serve as a precaution against
any sudden attack, and the trembling
captives were placed in the center un-
der a watchful guard.
A few days after the attack upon the
village the Arab chief OsInani gave in
captive women to be liberated. Two fee
bic treasures were brought forth, and
stood in abject terror before the mar
auding chief. go to your people who
are hiding in the forest" said the Arab
Tell them their women are alive, and
tell them that we will set them free
when they bring US elephant tusks. For
each tusk of an elephant we will give
back one woman. If within five days
from now they do not come to US with
ivory, we will take the women with US
to another country, and sell them to
people who will kill and eat them. Co.
women realized they were free to de-
part they darted forward with extraor-
binary agility into the woods.
On the morning of the fifth day the |
Arab camp was hailed by a voice from |
the forest: rs it true that our women |
are still alive?" 1T is true; it is indeed |
true" replied a Manyema in the native |
dialect. 'I bring the tusks of elephants. |
But first let me hear their voices, that |
1 may know you speak truly" The wo-
men were soon produced, and were |
made to shout a reply to the native |
chief who was all this time concealed |
from sight among the trees. After much |
delay, during which the Manyema in |
turns coaxed and threatened the tiInid |
and suspicious 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 Arabs camp. In |
stantly several women were liberated, |
and they rushed to the woods. In this |
fashion, during several subsequent days
the Arab chief was gradually relieved |
of his prisoners, and in their place he |
became enriched by a substantial stock