New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-01-22
ARAB SLAVE HUNTERS
THE STORY OF RAID on A CENTRAL
AFRICAN VILLAGE
From Casselrs Magazine.

From Casselrs Magazine.
Perhaps the simplest method Of describing the
raiding system, as practised by the Arab bands
in the forest region letWeen the Aruimi and the
Congo would be in the form Of a brief narrative
or events based upon personal observation. The
caravan whose adventures we are about 10 fol-
low was under the command Of Osmani a mid
dle-aged Arab. who had penetrated the CONT
nent from Zanzibar more than twenty years be
fore. For two weary weeks the Wretched party
had travelled through an Uninhabited portion OF
the great forest trudging each day through
dcnsely matted underground beneath the i'm
penetrablc canopy Of primeval trees, and sleep
ing each night hungry and weary, upon the sod
den ground in the vita ed atmosphere OF decay
ing vegetation. One afternoon, when the party
was almost IN condition Of despair, one Of the
Manyena followers sustained deep flesh wound
from hardwood spear, which had been art
fully concealed in the bushes beside well-worn
elephant track as trap, for the natives OF the
forest are well skilled in woodcraft. Upon dis
covering this evi tence OF mans existence In the
vicinity the caravan halted while scouts
sent to survey the surrounding country. In
short time IL was reported that within an hours
march large native village had been sighted
Osmani's instructions were brief. Two hours
before the dawn VIC march upon that village
Tonight no fires. no noise. Ska"
The night air grew gradually colder A fierce
storm swept over the forest, and the rain, filter
lng through the thick foliage overhead triCkled
IN continuous streams upon the naked bodies OF
the raiders IL was still dark and raining when
the hOarse whisper "Tendeei Tendele upesi"
March, march quickly, passed from one to an
other The party set forth in single file. no
word was spoken, and the only sound that be
tOkened their progress a slight swishng OF
leaves and the mutfled 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
10 serve as distinguishing mark in the com
ing attack upon the naked natives With
shrill "Hae Yah" the raiders fired their first
voIlcy directly toward the huts where the ma
tives were sleeping 'Llah-la-ihu" roared
the Manyema, as they crashed through the
bushes into the midst OF a multitude OF panic
stricken savages chasing the black figures
hither and thther Women and children
shrieke1 fowls flew caCkling toward the woods
mems deep voices shouted ncoherently, but the
loud rifle reports and shouts OF the relentless
Manyema drowned all other sounds. Soon the
village became enVeloped IN a dense white FOG
OF sulphuTous smoke and mist IN the obscurity
Of which the raiders guns flashed forth tongues
Of fire
Gradually the tumult ceased The cool morn
ing breeze dispelled the heavy cloud OF mist and
smoke. revealing the victorious raiders sWag-
gcrinC 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 radiance its bright beams glintins
through the distant trees. IN sad contrast 10 the
dcsOlatiOn of dead bodies and smouldering nuts
BY noon the raiders had established themselves
in The former home OF the natives "a rough
zeriba Of hrushVood was formed around the
outside 10 serve as a precautiOn against any
sudden attack and the trembling capuves were
placed in the centre under watchful guard.
few days after the attack upon the village
the Arab chief Osmani gave instructions Tor Two
OF the oldest Of the captive women o. be hber-
ated Two feeble creatures were brought forth
and stood IN abject terror before the maraudng
chief Go to your people who are hiding in the
forest SAID the Arab TEL them their women
are alive and tell them that we will set them
free when they bring W. elephant tusks. For
eacn tusk OF elephant We Will give back one
woman II within five days from now they 90
not come 10 ne with ivory we viii take the
women with 10 another country, and sell
them to people who will Kill and eat them Co
Tell our words truly" When the poor women
realized they were free to depart they darted
forward with extraordinary agility into the
woods
On the morning OF the fifth day the Arab
camp was hailed Ly a voice from the forest rs
II true that our women are still alive 1T is
true. II is indeed true" replied Manyema In the
native dialect i bring the tusks OF elephants
But first let me hear their voices. that may
know YOU speak truly" The women were soon
produ ed and made 10 shout reply 10
the native chief who was all tins time concealed
from sight among the trees. AFTER much deldy-
during which the Manyema IN turns coaNed ana
threatened the timid and suspicious native, the
young chief at length mustered sufficient cour-
age 10 step forth Depositing his burden Of
ivory in the open, he glanced meaningly ~ the
direction Of the Arabs camp. Instantly several
women were liberated, and they rushed 10 the
woods In this fashion during several suDse-
auent DAYS the Arab chief gradually re-
lieved OF his prisoners and in their place he be
came enriched by a substantial stock OF ivory