The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-10-01

prisoned pending the periodical visits OF
traders from the Ubangi country, which is
situated on the opposite side OF the Como
A visit TO one of these slave depots al the
mouth of the Lulungu river reveals con-
dition OF savagery and suffering beyond ell
ordinary powers of description. Al the
period TO which these remarks bear ref
erence il was no uncommon experience 10
witness at one time upward of a hund el
captives, of both sexes and OF all ages in
Guiding infants I'm their wretched moth
ers arms. lying in groups masses of ut
terly forlorn humanity, with eyes down
cast in a stony stare, with bodies aLtenu-
ated by starvation, and with skin OF that
dun gray hue which among colored races
Is always indicative of physical distress.
in cases when a suspicion existed OF am
individual captive's intention or ability to
escape, such unfortunate creature was
doomed 10 lie hobbled with one foot forced
through a hole cut in the section Of a log,
while a spearhead was driven into the
wood close beside the limb, rendering II
impossible 10 move except at the expense
OF laceration. Other means 10 insure the
prisoners safe custody consisted in bind
ing both hands above the head 70 the
kingpost of a nut, or in binding the arms
and plating the hair into "A braid, which
was made fast TO branch overhead Al
intervals these villages We're visited Jy
the UDangi who came in large dugout war
canoes and the process of barter com
menced, elephant tusks being the medium
OF currency used in the purchase of the
slaves. Upon the conclusion OF tn I'M
natural trdnsacl lion, the visitors retired,
taking with them as many of the individ-
uals as had been transferred to their ros-
session in the tedious process of bargain
ing Upon reaching their destination the
caDtiVes were, in most. cases subjected 10
many further ordeals being exchanged
into other hands, until eventually, after
having been deliberately fattened, they
met their tragic fate, and their bodies were
consumed.
There Is a prevalent belief among many
of the riverine tribes of the Upper Congo
that the flavor Of human flesh is improved
by submerging the prospective victim up
TO the neck in the water for two or three
days previous 70 sacrifice. Indeed. upon
two separate occasions II was my privi-
lege to release several poor creatures who
were bound hand and foot to stakes in
the river. In certain native market places,
notably in the vicinity of the Ubangi IL
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. Proportionately greater
number Of men than women fall victims
to canniDalism, the reason being that wo-
men who are still young are esteemed 9S
being of greater value. by reason OF their
utility in growing and cooking food. This
rule does not, however hold good through
out for IN the vicinity Of tho Arumi riy
or our observations revealed a contrary
order Of custom.
Probably the most inhuman practice of
all is to be met with among the tribes
who deliberately hawk the victim piece
meal while stu alive. Incredible AZ II
may appear, the fact remains justified by
an only too abundant proof. captives are
led from place TO place IN order that in
dividuals may have the opportunity Of in
dicating, by external marks upon the body,
the portion they desire 20 acquire. The
distinguishing marks are generally made
by means of colored clay or STRIPS Of
grass tied in . particular fashion. The
astounding stoicism OF the victim. who
thus witnessed the bargaining for his
limbs, is only cqualed by the callousness
with which ne walks forward 20 meet his
fate. IL explanation Of the extraordinary
Indifference thus displayed II can only be
assumed that death rs robbed of all terror,
life under conditions Of slavery Offering 50
little attraction