Dewey County advocate. [volume] (Timber Lake, S.D.) 1910-1913, 1913-05-23


their adventurous journey. Mile by
mile they made their way up the Qua
qua, Shire, and so to Lake Nyassa.
We will pass lightly over this sec
ton of the great journey, for it was
similar to many another African trip
trip by boat on river and lake. But
once they had reached Karonga their
real difficulties commenced. The
motor-launch had to be pushed on its
wheels across the watershed by the
so-called Stevenson road-which is no
road at all in the generally accepted
meaning of the word-to Fife and
thence to the Chambesi river, SO that
Lake Bangweolo might eventually be
reached. Where distractions impeded
progress-and there were countless
numbers Of such places-they had to
be overcome. Trees had to be felled,
streams bridged, hills climbed, and
bush cleared from tbe self-made path.
After days and days of toll in ter
rifle tropical heat, the voyagers reach
ed the banks Of the Chambesi river
and again took to the water courses.
This part Of the trip was full of dan
gers. unexpected and entirely impos-
sible to guard against.
All went we'll with them until they
had nearly reached the shores Of the
mysterious Lake Bangweolo. Then
disaster. dire and dreadful. overlook
them. Within sight Of their goal they
were overcome by a cruel. relentless
fate.
At dawn on September third, the
blood-red morning sun triumphantly
rose over the summit of the dark
chain of the Muchemwa mountains,
bathing all nature in its glorious
beauty. It babe them rise and con-
tinue their journey down the Cham
best to the lake, their long-hoped-for
! destination.
At six-thirty the two white men en-
barked, and a few minutes later the
African servants were rowing Justify
up the Chambesi toward Bangweolo,
for whenever possible they saved
their gasoline and rowed. Moreover,
there were many shallow channels to
be negotiated and these were the
more easily navigated without use Of
the motor.
For time nothing unusual hap
pened. There was no sign of life
beyond occasional birds along the
river banks. At last convenient.
place to land and partake of break
fast was found, and the two men ran
the launch into the bank. The cook
and servants busily stirred them
selves to prepare the delayed meal
But suddenly they stood petrified
with establishment. Not more than
fifty PAGES from them, close to the
river bank, stood three mighty buff
falo, watching them with wondering
eyes! They had appeared so silently
through the underground and reeds
that no one had had warning of their
approach. These we're no ordinary
buffalo. They were gigantic and sug-
gestive Of prehistoric types.
Silence, deep and impressive, like
that silence which foreshadows death,
reigned for brief moment. Then
Lieutenant Graetz awoke to the dan
ger that threatened them. With the
almost automatic precision of the ad-
venturer in savage lands, he unslung
his rifle. The Frenchman, Fiere, fol-
lowed his example. Graetz fired the
moment his cheek rested along the
butt Of his Mauser rifle and the sights
came on. Bang. the shot rang out,
awakening the bird life and echoing
through the trees beyond them and
then family back again. The leading
buffalo stumbled and fell on his
knees, rose again. shook his ponder
Gus head in mingled anger and pain.
and then, dashing up the river bank,
galloped from sight into the bushes.
The other two followed their wound
ed brothers example.
Meanwhile Fiere stood ready to fire
in case Of necessity. but there was no
further need now. Internationally
through the underground the two
men caught glimpses of the buffaloes'
shaggy forms as they followed the
course Of the stream toward the lake.
But presently they saw but two of
them. What had become of the third
they asked themselves. They were
not out Of danger yet. apparently
Perhaps the third animal still kept
company with his fellows but was
hidden by the bushes: more likely
still, he had left them-the surest
possible sign that he was severely
wounded. Good! They would get him
yet. "Bos CATER Graetzii'' would read
we'll in museum records and geological
books. thought Graetz to himself
J The decision to follow and kill the
wounded giant was quickly reached.
Breakfast was forgotten. Leaving the
cook and two Of the native followers
to clear away the untasted meal and
pack the motor-launch ready for a re-
newed start, Graetz and Fiere hast
ened off on the trail Of the buffalo. 1t
was not hard to follow. Large smears
of blood were to be seen everywhere,
on bushes, on rocks. on the bare SOIL
and against trees 1t showed plainly.
The spoor led up the bank of the
Chambesi and headed undoubtedly for
the shelter Of Lake Bangweolo.
Hour after hour went by and still
the two hunters kept steadily track