Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-02-16
ARAB SLAVE HUNTERS.
The story of Raid u Central
African Village.

From Cassels Magazine.
Perhaps the simplest method of describing
the raiding system, as practiced by the
Arab bands in the forest region between
the Arumi 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
under the command of Osmani, mid
dle-aged Arab, who had penetrated the con-
tinent from Zanzibar more than twentv
years before. For two weary weeks the
wretched party had Travelled through an
uninhabited portion of the great forest,
trudgins each day through densely matted
underground beneath the impenetraL
canopy of primeval trees, and sleeping each
night, hungry and weary, upon the sodden
ground in the vtiated atmosphere Of de-
caying vegetation. One afternoon when
the party was almost in a condition of de-
spair. one of the Manyema followers sus-
tanned a deep flesh wound from a hardwood
spear, which had been artfully concealed
in the bushes beside a well-worn elephant
track as a trap, for the natives of the for
est are well skilled in woodcraft. Upon
discovering this evidence OF mans exist
ence in the vicinity the caravan halted,
while scouts were sent to survey the sur
rounding country. In a short time it was
reported that within an hours march
large native village had been sighted Os-
manis instructions We're brief: Two hours
before the dawn We march upon that VIII
lage, Tonight no fires, no noise, Sikiai''
The night air grew gradually colder. ~
fierce storm swept over the forest. and the
rain. filtering through the thick foliage
overhead tricked in continuous streams
upon the naked bodies of the raiders 1t
was still dark and raining when the hoarse
whisper, ''rendele. Tendeie upesi'' March,
march quickly, passed from one to
other. The party set forth in single file;
n n W. mr. ha only
that betokened their progress was Il slight
swshing 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 strip of
dirty white cotton cloth about his head TO
serve as distinguishing mark iis the COM
ing attack upon the naked natives. With
shrill ''Hae Yah!' the raiders fired their
first volley 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 null
titude of panic-stricken savageS chasing
the black figures hither and thither Women
and children shrieked, fowls flew cackling
toward the woods. mems deep voices shout
ed incoherently; but the loud rife reports
and shouts of the relentless Manyema
drowned all other sounds. Soon the village
became enveloped in a dense white fog of
sulphurous smoke and mist, in the oil souri,
ty of which the raiders guns flashed forth
tongues of fire
Gradually the tumult ceased The cool
morning breeze dspelled 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 lashings around the wrists. Soon
the early morning sun shone in all its radi-
ance, its bright beams glinting through the
distant trees, in sad contrast to the desola-
ton of dead bodies and smolderiug huts
BY noon the raiders had established them
CEl1t t1ynf Ory 81
rough zeriba of brushwood was formed
around the outside to serve as a precau-
ton against any sudden attack, and ,.e
trembling captives We're placed in the CEN
ter under watchful guard.
A few days after the attack upon the viii
iage the Arab chief Osmani gave instruc-