The daily morning journal and courier., 1905-07-07

the light of the early morning was an object Of great curiosity to all those who remained in camp while the war riors ran out to see what it was that had come down into their midst from the skies.
 50 intense was the interest of the women and children in me, clad as I was in close fitting blue acrObatic costume. that they had to be driven to their duty of preparing breakfast by their male relatives. Kept a prisoner under guard, had reason to think that the intentions of the chief toward me were entirely hostile, yet their kindness in other respects puzzled me not a lit- tie. We had no means of communica- ting except by pantomime, but they readily understood me. My first re quest was for drink of water and in response to it woman was called from the camp by one of the guards, few gutteral words exchanged between them and the woman disappeared, to return in a few minutes with a gourd full os clear, cool water When l had finished drinking they asked me by signs if wanted more. My food was sent to me by the chies himself, and shortly ater breakfast was carried be- fore him for an inquisition. In all the panoply of state and war he could mus ter up the chief received me in front of his hut. He was seated on small log, surrounded by detachment of warri ors, whom presumed to be his body guard, and on the other side of the chief stood two withered old creatures, whom I was unable to determine were men or women.
 PUZZLED BY THE PRISONER.
 T was invited to sit on a log placed short distance in front O. the chief, and an awkward attempt at arriving at an understanding between us was made by means of signs. We didn't accomplish very much, and in the end the chief motioned to the two old with cred creatures, who advanced toward me and walked around me several times, jabbering like monkeys all the while, their chatter occasionally pune tured by a query coming from the chief, What it was, whether an incan- tation or not, never knew, but at it's close the chief arose, and, planting his assegal in the ground, folded his arms and stood just behind it, looking me straight in the eyes. I took it to be a sort of challenge respecting my lnten- tions, and, rising also, pointed to the assegal, shook my head, raised my arms, pointed toward the sky, then to- ny.1 flhp a once more, and, advancing, offered the chief my hand. I was novice at all this sort of thing, but l thought made my amicable intentions clear The chief didn't take my hand, but pulling his assSgal from the ground, waved his arms and 1 was marched back to my resting place under the tree A few hours later l was removed to q small hut with but one opening, which served as door, window aud freplac>, and be- fore this a stout and dangerous looking warrior was placed to keep an eye on me. ra.
 ''I was decidedly uneasy after my in terview with the chisf, and plans for escape revolved in my mind, but l was offered not the slightest opportunity. The guard sitting in the. doorway nev- CT removed his eyes from me, and at night a fire was built just before the entrance in such a position that it illu- minated the whole interior of the hut
 ''The next morning was awakened just before dawn to find the whole camp'in an uproar and preparations for removal evidently under way. Imme- diately after the aanorning msal I was placed in long boat made from sim gle log, along with the chief and about fifteen warriors, and left the camp in advance of the others, whom I nevsr saw again.
 HOW ESCAPE WAS EFFECTED.
 ITO make a long story short, we rowed down the river all that day and far into the night before we arrived at a large kraal, which was probably our destination. Without any delay was hurried to a small hut near an open place in the center of the village, and the same method of guarding me estab- lished as that which had prevailed dur ing my night in the other camp. This ulhII lUoNCNS4t lldN cb SiIlrilI OpStllilS OIl either side about four feet from the floor, in addition to the door in ront. The openings were only about foot square, but in addition to the guard in front soon discovered that another guard had been placed in the rear to prevent my escape by those apertures. Both men were drawn from the boat crew, however, and it was due to this that was able to effect my escape. Refreshed by my sleep during the day, I remained wide awake all night, but both ofamy guards wsre evidently worn out by the hard rowing they had been doing all day and during the evening, and toward dawn l discovered tthat both of them were asleep.
 DESCENDED AMONG sAVAGEs.
 Tt was my opportunity, and I wasn't lingering any about taking advantage of it. Fearing that might awaken the black at the door by attempting to leave that way, and not caring to ven ture out in the glare of the fire, began to Wriggle out of window. It was a hard job, and twice at least I made so much noise that it was 8 miracle the guards didn't awaken, but they slept soundly, and in few minutes I found myself outside the hut. Cautiously I crept among the huts to the forest close by, and then turned toward the