The National tribune., 1900-05-17

iron and possibly other metals. 1t is but
short distance up to the historic Bangala.
l did not have time to go up, sc. returned
homeward, keeping well out from the
shores and away from those warning reb-
els, and arrived safely at Lulongo.
After securing wood and loading we
started on down the river. That after
noon terrific storm came UP, which did
not last long, through which we steamed,
as we We're far from any good landing.
We stopped and called on Lieut.. Lemare
and Mr.. Banks, and then left for 1rrebu.
ATTACKED BY A HIPPoPoTAMUS.
About half an hour before we reached
the station we were running in location
which l knew to be shallow, but | also
to spare. The moon was shining brightly,
and | was watching the road closely, as
we were plowing along at good speed
Past our 1rrebu wooding / knew of \ sand
crescent ahead on which we generally saw
a number of perhaps eight
or 10. They usually stayed on the most
shallow part, which was probably, 200 feet
from our line of travel. l knew this route
well and ordered full steam ahead. When
we came into this straight channel and
had three or four knot current with us,
we were just flying down stream. just
see how steam was. At that moment the
wheelman had pulled the whistle string;
l Jumped to see what was the matter. and
was just in time to see huge hlppopota-
mus coming at us in an attitude Tor a
fight. The whistle had aroused him, and
of course he was going to annihilate that
screeching monster. just as he was pre-
pairing to turn, the sharp ram-prow of the
gallant Reed struck him aI1idship. ]
heard one grunt, the bow raised, then the
stern raised, and two knocks Cl the pad
dle-wheel told that the hippopotamus had
h. - 1f tar tn
shallow sand bottom under the steamer:
The two knocks of the paddle-wheel had
helped him into eternity.
We all watched closely to see that there
were no more knocks, and as the wheel
played evenly we knew that it had received
no injuries, so we went on. A moment
later 1 called by whistle for Trebu, and
soon we We're under the big plum tree,
safely at anchor. Five minutes more and
several canoes were on the way TO find a
dead hippopottamus.
Next morning we were presented with a
nice quantity OF hippopotamus steak,
heart, and other parts.
POWERFUL SECRET ORDER.
I might write hippopotamus, buffalo,
elephant, and even fish stories for long
time, but at present time forbids. How
mention, but had better be treated sepa-
rately, among them the "Ukimba." This
Ethiopian Order, according to accounts
handed down from father to son, dates far
back, beyond any present history. The
lodges or orders seem to be under the
Great Chief Of all Congo, and any one di-
vulging any of the workings is punished
with secret death. No women are taken
into the Order.
A young man, to become member,
am told, must fast long time, then
must be subjected to an examination of
very rigid sort, after which he is admitted
cover his body with white powder or
chalk for a certain period, and must not
speak to any one, nor utter a sound.
/ believe this period lasts seven moons.
If by this time Yakili (Boy) Ukimba has
proven faithful, he Is granted another
step, and must, believe, remain indoors,
or out of sight of everybody, for another
period of seven moons.
Each degree is a special step to itself.
| do not know how many degrees consh-
tute perfection, but probably the number
is seven. After this the member may go
among his people and enter public places,
but he must at all times remain coated
with this white wash of chalk. Should
any of our people meet one of these white
washed negroes, not knowing the facts in
the case, he certainly would be, surprised.
Just imagine coatblack eyes, black lips,
curly, black hair, and all the balance OF
the body chalk-white.
EMBALMING.
The preparing of the dead for burial is
another subject of interest. When an i'm
portant person dies the Uganga doctor
takes the body, and with herbs and other
material embalms it. I believe he first