Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1899-12-09

OF the numerous instances thai
might be recorded in illustration of the
organized traffic in human beings which
exists, reference may be made to the
conditions which hold in the district
through which the Lulungu River pass
rs. This river, which constitutes con
siderable afflueDt Of the Congo, empties
into the latter river, on the south bank,
at a point some 800 miles from the At
iantic coast. Within q short distance
Of the confluence is 10 be found series
Of strongly fortified villages. represent
Ing the headquarters of the NgomhI
wherein numbers Of slaves are impris
oned, pending the periodical visits OF
traders from the Ubangi country, which
rs situated ON the opposite side
Of the Congo. A visit to one OF these
slave depots ct the mouth of the Lulun.
gu River reveals a condition of saw
agery and suffering beyond all ordinary
power Of description. At the period 10
which these remarks bear reference II
was no uncommon experience to wit.
ness at one time upward of q hundred
eapuyes of both sexes and OF all ages,
including Infants, in their wretched
mothers arms, lying In groups; masses
Of utterly forlorn humanity, with eyes
downcast in a stony stare, with bodies
Attenuated by starvation, and with skin
Of that dull gray hue, which among col
hred races is always indicative of ply
steal distress
In cases when a suspicion existed OF
m Individual captive's intention or
ability to escape, such unfortunate crea.
ture was doomed to lie hobbled with
one foot forced through hole cut in
the section of log. while a spearhead
was driven into the wood close beside
the limb, rendering II impossible to
move except at the expense Of lacera- |
ton. Other means TO insure the prison
sr's safe custody consisted In binding
both hands above the head to the king
post of a hut, or in binding the arms
and plating the hair into a braid, which
was made fast to u branch overhead. I
At intervals these villages were visited
by the Ubangi, who came In large dug
out war canoes and the process OF bar
ter commenced, elephant tusks being
the medium of currency used in the
purchase OF the slaves. Upon the cor
clusion of this unnatural transaction, I
the visitors retired. taking with them
as many of the individuals as had been
to their possession in the
tedious process of bargaining. Upon
reaching their destination the captives
were In most cases subjected to many
further ordeals, being exchanged into
Dther hands, until eventually, after
having been deliberately fattened. they
met their tragic fate, and their bodies
were consumed.
There Is a prevalen: belief among
many of the riverine tribes OF the Up
per Congo that the flavor of human
6esh Is improved by submerging the
water for two or three days previous
TO the sacrifice. Indeed, upon two sep
Rrate occasions it was my privilege 10
release several poor creatures who
We're bound hand and foot to stakes in
the river. In certain native market
places. notably in the vicinity of the
Ubangi, it Is an ordinary occurrence for
Captives TO be exposed for sale, in most
cases with the sinister fate In view OF
being killed and eaten. proportionate-
ly, a greater number Of men than WON.
en- fall victims to cannibalism, the rea.
son being that women who are still
young are esteemed as being of greater
value, by reason of utility in growing
and cooking food. This rule does not
however, hold good throughout, for II
the vicinity Of the Aruimi River oul
observations revealed contrary ordcl
of custom.
Probably the most inbnman practice
of all is to be met with among the tribe.
who deliberately hawk the victim piece
meal while still alive. Incredible as +
may appear, the fact remains justified
by an only too abundant proof; captive
are led from place to place IN order tina
individuals may have the opportuni;,
of indicating, by external marks upcr
the body, the portion they desire to az
dulre. The distinguishing marks ar
generally made by means % colore
clay, or strips of grass tied in part!C
ular fashion. The astounding stoicsr
of the victim, who thus witnesses IL
bargaining for his limbs, is only equale
by the callousness with which he walk
forward to meet his fate. In explain;
ton of the extraordinary indifference
thus displayed 1t can only be assume
that death is robbed of all terror. Iii
under conditions OF slavery offering
little attraction.-Cassell's Magazine.
The War Spirit.