The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1899-10-22
MADNESS N THEIR GLANCE
STRANGE TALES or A RACE OF
AFRICAN GIANTS.
Aabitants Of the Country Near
Lake Radelf Said to BE Able TO

TN HE latest story from Africa Is
very odd story indeed. so od3
as TO be worth a moment se-
rioos discussion. Il is told by
IL Capt. Welioy, who has been
exploring the unknown country
between Lake Rudolf and the Nile val
ley. and who, besides being one OF thu
Quickest OF men. seems to be a conae-
tent observer with some scientific knowl
esige and habit OF mental exactifude
There appears 10 be no reason whatever
for doubling his good faith, and we can
ourselves help q little TO exonerate him
from any charge OF undue credulity or
disposition TO wonder. He says he found
two races Of naked giants living neal
Lake Rudolf The world now doubts
about giants as formerly IL doubted abou,
pygmiss. and Capt wellby will be cross
examined but tribes obviously the same
were described by DIR. Verne, . German
doctor who accompanied a pasha sent by
Said Pasha OF Egypt some fifty years ago
to see IL he could not exact tribute OF
some sort from the extreme south OF the
Egyptian dominion Mr.. John Murray
published In two small volumes trans
lation of his singuiarly lucid and inter-
esting narrative, and in II he gives an ac-
count, apparently Identical with Capt.
Wellby's, of a race Of naked men who
were on an average seven fee; high.
AS individuals reach that height even In
England. and are common In Patagonia.
we can believe that story without diff
Guilty; but the account OF the Waiamo
district IL a more severe draft on our
credulity. 1t II probably true. neverthe.
less. though the explanation is not easy.
The natives about Lake Rudolf believe
that the people of Walamo are possessed
OF the devil. and Capt. Wsllby Is obvious
ly not quite sure that they are not. Their
land Is singularly and exceptionally beau
tiful, grand tropical park, In fact. we'll
watered and we'll timbered, "a fortnight's
Journey south Of Ads Abeba." and the
people are quite friendly to white men.
They are accused, however. of possessing
a gift. nothing less than the power OF
creating, by suggestion only. insanity
In those upon whom they gaze. Capt
Weliby, of course. disbelieved this story
but he was soon undeceived. Fl only
state the facts. The first sign OF any
thing wrong was when one of my Sonali
escort rushed into camp shouting 'Waia-
mo, Walamo.' He was frighffully ex-
cited, no shook violently and kicked like
a mailman, and In the intervals between
his shrieks he told me that he was pos
sessed by a dewitt. The whole OF that
night he was neither more nor less than
a maniac, but the next day he was per-
fectly we'll. / had been previously told
that once a man had become 'Waamo,'
or devil possessed. he was always liable
to a second attack, and as a simple meas
ure of precaution the mans rife was
taken away from him. While on the
march he had another access OF this curl
Gus madness. in the course of which he
drew a knife. and. rushing about. threat
ened 20 kill everybody. II took several
men to hold him down" 1t il supposed
TO be specially dangerous to eat food In
the presence Of the Walamo people. and
on one occasion Soudanese In the ex-
petition who did so became q ravtng