Washington sentinel., 1899-02-25
tn - SENTINEL
Slave Hunters.
CaSSeH'S Mdgd=iHe.

Perhaps the simplest method OF
describing the raiding system, as
practised by the Arab bands in the
forest region between the Aruiml
and the Congo, would be in the
form Of a brief narrative OF events
based upon personal observation.
The caravan whose adventures 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 uninhab-
tied portion OF the great forest,
trudging each day through densely
matted underground beneath the
impenetrable canopy Of primeval
trees, and sleeping each night,
hungry and weary, upon the sod
den ground IN the vitiated atmoS.
phere OF decaying vegetation One
afternoon, when the party was al
most in a condition of despair, one
OF the Manyema followers sus-
tanned a deep flesh wound from a
hard wood spear which had been
artfullV concealed in the bushes be.
side a we'll worn elephant track as
a trap, for the natives of the forest
are we'll skilled in wooicratt.
Upon discovering this evidence OF
mans existence in the vicinity, the
caravan halted, whilst scouts were
sent to survey the surrounding
country. In a short time it was re-
ported that within an hours march
a large native village had been
sighted. Osmani's instructions
were brief: Two hours before the
dawn We march upon that village.
Tonight no fires, no noise, Sikial"
The night air grew gradually
colder. A fierce storm swept over
the forest, and the rain tiltering
through the thick foliage overhead,
trIckled in continuous streams
upon the naked bodies of the raid
ers. 1t was still dark and raiaing
when the hoarse whisper Ten
dele! Tendele upesi" (M arch,
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 slight swish
ing OF leaves and the muftied 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 dis
tinguishing mark in the coming
attack upon the naked natives.
With a shrill "Hae YAH" the raid
ers fired their first volley towards
the huts where the natives we're
sleeping 'Llah-la -ihul" cried
the Manyema, as they crashed
through the bushes into the midst
ol a multitude OF panic stricken
savages, chasing the black figures
hitheI and thither. Women and
children shTieked fowls flew cack-
lang towards the woods, men s deer
voices shouted iucoherently; but
the loud rife reports and shouts o.
the relentless Manyema drowned
all other sounds. Soon the village
became enveloped in a dense white
fog of sulphurous smoke and mist
in the obscurity of which the raid.
ers guns flashed forth tongues oil
fiie. Gradually the tumult 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 to.
gether in couples by means otlash-
ings around the wrists. Soon the
early morning sun shone in all its
radiance, its bright beams glintine
through the distant trees, in sac
contrast to the desolation of deac
bodies and smouldering huts. By
noon the raiders had established
themselves in the former home o.
the natives; a rough zeriba o
bruShwood was formed around the
outside to serve as a precautior
against any sudden attack, and the
trembling captives were placed in
the centre under watchful guard
A few days after the attack upon
the village the Arab chief Osmani
gave instructions for two OF the
oldest oi the captive women to be
liberated. Two feeble creatures
were brought forth, and stood in
abject terror before the marauding
chief. "Go 10 your people who
are hiding in the forest" said thS
Arab. Tell them their womer
are alive, and tell them we will SCI
them tree when they bring US ele
pnant tusks. For each tusk Of ar
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. Gol Tell our word.
trulY! When the poor women
realized they we're free to depart
they darted forward with extraor
dinary agility into the woods. Or
the morning OF the fifth day the
Arab camp was hailed BY a voice
from the forest. "Is it true that
our women are still alive?" 1T il
true; It is indeed true" replied Z
Manyema IN the native dialect 81
bring the tusks OF elephants. Blu
first let me hear their voices thas
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