The Red Cloud chief., 1913-05-15
BY w. ROBERT FORAN

their adventurous Journey. Mile by
mile they made their way up the Qua
qua, Shire. and 80 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 difiiculties 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 ana
thence to the Chambesi river. 80 that
Lake Bangweolo might eventually be
reached. Where obstructions impeded
progress-and there we're countless
numbers OF such places-they had to
be overcome. Trees had to be felled,
streams bridged, hills climbed. and
bush cleared from the self-made path.
After days and days Of toll In ter.
rife 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 well 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 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 bade 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
J the launch into the bank. The cook
and servants busily stirred them
selves to prepare the delayed meal
: But suddenly they stood petrifiet
with astonishment Not more thar
nifty PAGES from them. close to the
. river bank. stood three mighty buf
falo. watching them with wondering
. eyes! They had appeared so silentl,
through the underground and reed.
that no one had had warning OF thei,
approach. These were no ordinar!
buffalo. They were gigantic and sug
b, gestive OF prehistoric types.
J, Silence. deep and impressive lik,
, that silence which foreshadows death
reigned for brief moment. Thel
. Lieutenant Graetz awoke to the dar
4 ger that threatened them. With tn
;. almost automatic precision OF the at
, venturer in savage lands. he unslun
8 his rife. The Frenchman, Fiere. 70
i lowed his example. Graetz fired tn
0 moment his cheek rested along tn
l. butt Of his Mauser rife and the sight
came on. Bang! the shot rang ou
G awakening the bird life and echoin
a through the trees beyond them an
n then family back again. The leadin
h buffalo stumbled and fell on hi
9 knees. rose again. shook his ponde
Z. Gus head In mingled anger and pail
n and then. dashing up the river BAN
.. galloped from sight into the bushe
n The other two followed their woun,
q ed brothers example.
n Meanwhile Fiere stood ready to fl
% In case OF necessity. but there was n
;; further need now. Intermittent
g through the underground the tv
ID men caught glimpses of the bufYaloe
shaggy forms as they followed II
r. But presently they saw but two
Il, them. What had become of the thir
or they asked themselves. They we
,e not out OF danger yet. APPARENT
e. Perhaps the third animal still ke
ne company with his fellows but W,
RS hidden by the bushes; more like
p still, he had left them-the sure
ts possible sign that he was severe
,r- wounded. Good! They would get hi
,ir yet "Bos CATER Graetzii" would re,
we'll in museum records and geologic
by books. thought Graetz to himself.
Ik- The decision to follow and kill d
at wounded giant was quickly reache
ch Breakfast was forgotten. Leaving Il
to cook and two OF the native followe
m. to clear away the untasted meal ri
OF pack the motor.launch ready for n
OF newed start, Graetz and Fiere ha
ch ened of on the trail OF the buffalo.
Ia. was not hard to follow. Large smea
he of blood were to be seen everywhel
vn on bushes. on rocks, on the bare sc
is. and against trees II showed plain
,is The spoor led up the bank OF [