The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1910-03-14


wantonly. Time and again game was
| spared, the hunters becoming natural
| lists and studying the habits and char
| acteristics of the animals Thirteen
thousand specimens, many extremely
rare. were obtained. They make a re-
markable collection, including lions,
white and black rhinoceroses ele-
plants, appropriateness, hyenas and
digdig. The latter is an antelope
smaller than a jackrabbit. The col
lection is regarded, not only by the
party. but by Africans. as remarkable.
Its like does not exist. The work of
collecting was attended with great
hardships and much personal danger
For one instance. Mr.. Roosevelt shot
bull elephant without noticing that
another was nearby. The latter dash
ed at him. touching the colonel with its
trunk as it passed. The hunter saved
himself by quick jump behind a tree
Nearly every day dangerous incidents
were recorded, but fortunately not a
single white man in the party was in
jured throughout the expedition. Mr.
Roosevelt and Kermit retained their
health thus disproving Professor Starts
grewsome suggestion made in Chicago
that they probably would be Ill. The
other four whites have been i'll and
also some of the blacks. one of the lat
ter dying. On the last hunt Mr.. Roose-
welt and his son were the only ones in
the party who were in fit condition to
shoot.
His Faithful Followers.
Ever man speaks in the highest
terms of the bravery of the others in
the party. The blacks were particular
" enthusiastic regarding the colonel
and Kermit. They have a keen affec-
ton for the former because of the in
their welfare. Elevent blacks CARRIED
in the remnants of civilized costumes,
one with the lobes of his ears cut In
| twain. surrounded Mr.. Roosevelt,
standing at attention while he pointed
/ them out to visitors
Two gunbearers with teeth fled to a
point seemed on springs ready to act
whenever the master ordered. They are
described as fearless, but like children
who frequently are naughty and must
be punished. At the same time they
are faithful. Mr.. Roosevelt entertains
a royal attachment for the blacks and
regrets the impending separation wher
they return to Mombasa by way of
Cairo. They already are assuming airs
because of their association with the
great American and tell many stories
of their adventures with Bwana Turn
DO.
AS an indication of the hardships
suffered, one of the members of the
party tells of a trip Colonel Roosevelt
undertook lasting three days, during
which he struggled afoot through a
thick jungle under the burning equa-
torial sun searching for game. He was
afoot IA hours the first day, IS hours
the second day, and II hours the third
day Colonel Roosevelt was especially
touched by the action of the men in
saving the last bottle of water for his
use.
Hears News From Home.
The colonel has been looking forward
with keen anticipation to meeting Mrs.
Roosevelt at Khartum. He also is
anxious to arrive and get in touch with
the people he loves and those who love
him. Mrs. Roosevelt has apprised the
colonel of the engagement of his son,
Theodore, jr., and he expressed himself
as satisfied with his sons choice. With
reference to a public reception at New
York. Colonel Roosevelt is not averse,
provided Collector Loeb approves the
plans.
Mr.. Roosevelt will be in Egypt I'M
til March %. Then he goes to Ma
pies, arriving about April Is. He goes
next to Budapest and reaches Paris
on April %. He stops day in Brus-
sells and passes through Holland to see
the land of his ancestors. He arrives
in the first week of May in Christiania
where he delivers the Nobel prize adj
dress. The colonel goes to Berlin on
Nav 10 and leaves on May IA for
London, where he delivers the Ro-
mains lecture at Oxford on May Is.
He will stay in England. visiting
friends, particularly those who assist
ed him in Quitting his expedition, I'M
til about June IL, when he sails for
America.
He Gives a Dinner.
One seldom sees such picturesque
background as that furnished for the
dinner given by Colonel Roosevelt for
the journalists aboard the Dial, the
Sudan government steamer.
The table was set on the deck of a
barge dashed against the Dial, the
nose of which ran into the reedy bank
of the Nile. Leaping flames from
fire in the papyrus grass, driven by
northern gale, lighted up the fiat
country bordering the shallow stream.
On the lower deck of the barge blacks
lay at full length, some asleep and
others droning mOnotonouSly native
song. 1t was an undress affair. The
figure of Colonel Roosevelt was sill
houetted against the lurid light,
which gave the impression of a vast
prairie fire
The colonel presented a picture of
health and rugged strength. His face
is burned to nut brown by exposure.
His eyes are bright and clear and his
hair is slightly bleached by the hot
sun.
The coIoneTs costume was the hunt
ing clothes he has worn throughout
his trip in the African wilds-khal<i
breeches with leather knees and tight
calves He wore pigskin shoes and a
snuff-colored flannel shirt, open at
the neck.
In Fine Spirits.
The colonel was in great spirits and
told innumerabIe humorous and en-