The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1899-08-12
l0BENGUlES VIEWS.
The Matahels Warrior, N,w In London, Say Rs
IS Happr.

"In my own country was one day
the kings favorite son. and the next
common 'cobored man. fogged by the
Transvaal government for walking on
a sidewalk in Pretoria without having
first asked permission"
The words were uttered in a soft,
liquid voice, and accompanied by
smile, showing two rows Of white teeth
which even a prince might envy.
My own country is good. but in the
land of the umlunga (white man) / am
quite jabula (happy)."
Again the the smile, and again the
| gleam of dazzling teeth. and there re-
mained on THE expressive face of Prince
Lobengula a look which might have
been either a smouldering of resentful
bitterness or a philosophical and half
primitive oontentment, says writer in
the London Daily Mail.
The towering Matabele warrior, in his
picturesque war garb, stared silently
into space for a second, and then
laughed.
What does 1T matter?" asked the son
OF one OF our most powerful enemies
conquered i'm late times. II might one
day have rttied in South Africa sts king
When my father fell l lived by tend
ing oxen on the roadside fOi the Dutch.
In London l am jabula Chappy)"
The repetition was made abruptly.
as If the change of subject afforded
Prince Lobengula a theme upon which
he would rather dwell than upon the
loss of his country.
Suddenly with the inevitable smile,
he made the remark:
IF my father had known the size OF
Great Queens land he would not have
fought. He thought England a hutle
floating island"
The question as Ito whether the kings
advisers had not given him some idea
of the vastneas of England and the
British population made Prince Loben-
gula's eyes travel, with another flash
of white teeth toward the ceiling.
Devils talk" he said quietly. "He
wouldn't believe it. When / arrived in
England. my first thought was that the
whole world was fun of white men, and
that they had all come to London to
meet me.
when / got used to the people, the
chief thing that bothered me was the
houses They were so black and so
high. We build better fh nay country.
close to the ground, so tat If a hut fall
Vt hasn't far to go.
Later on. when / tried to find out
where all the white men I'm London
slept, understood better Now
Clearly the problem OF London's over
traffic had given the prince almost as
much worry as IL affords the London
G. c., for he shook his head with look
of bewilderment.
II think" he said. "some day all the
people in the great city will sleep under
the land because there is no room on
top"
The princes soft. dreamy voice had
no suggestion OF humor I'm il. Any So
luton OF the difficulty he flouted as
devils talk" What else could people
do when the land became too full 10
hold them but resor. to a state Of un-
derground existence?
III Is Lobengula's firm conviction that
London is destined beyond all question
OF doubt 60 become a vast city buried
I'm the bowels OF the earth. for want OF
space TO remain above the ground.
The prince talks gracefully and fas-
cinatingly whether on the subject OF
his own country AMI the present strain
ed outlook OF affairs in South Africa.
or some aspect OF the great white man
at home which has occurred 20 him.
His quaint English picked up before
his fathers downfall Is dign fed and
elegant. while his air is mixture OF
lordiy magnificerce and childish sun
pliclty that Is full OF charm.
He displays I'm his dress an almost
inorlinate love for jewelry. n trait
which since the arrival OF the
Matabcle nobleman I'm LonllOn several
women have Discovered ard encouraged
by presents. which nc proudly crowds
upon his person when dressed In full
war paint--almost the only vanity In
which ne INDUCES.