Bonners Ferry herald. [volume] (Bonners Ferry, Idaho) 1904-current, 1918-02-19


by a sloping knoll. From afar in the
distance faint murmur suddenly
arose. The noise increased rapidly un
til it seemed almost like the frenziec
shouting of terror-slricken persons
The Americans, not knowing what t.
expect dismounted. This move hat
scarcely been accomplished when ovel
the crest of the hill appeared tum
bling, writhing mass of balloons ant
monkeys, charging in wild disorder di
rectly toward the party. The plungin,
herd numbered thousands in strength
the creatures all in a seemingly insan,
state of agitation. Voley after volle,
was fired into the animal army, which
alarmed at the fusillade. suddenl,
sweved sharply to the right, an,
passed the caravan at close range.
Throughout the route the territor.
of dozens of tribes were traverscd, Blu
many of'these were under the rulershiI
of King Menelik and the reception
given the travellers was of the mos
bountiful the country could offer. The,
were feted and dned on the fat of tn
land, and in many places were givel
one of the palaces of the village il
which to pass the night. AT times
long before a settlement was reached
they would be met by thousands of thu
natives. In their naked state the.
danced about them jublantly, and witt
weird music and shouting escorted tn,
party into the precincts Of the city.
"The habits of King Meneliks sub
jects are most peculiar, and their va
rious customs as displayed to US would
fill a book. Many of them were of tall
sturdy physique, their height enhanced
by their thick mop of coarse hair, of
times half foot in length, which stood
perpendicular on their heads. For
every person killed by them the men
wear a feather IN their hair, ard ex.
tremely proud are those who faunt a
goodly number of this insignia.
SIN the journey over the arid wastes
many sand storms were encountered.
These tempests sweep up with appal-
ling suddenness, and the tiny particles
make travel impossible. The approach
of such blast is always presaged
hours, and even-days, before the gale
bursts, by the action of the camels, who
become restless, and snort repeatedly.
Long before sweeping sand clouds APP
pear on the horizon these intelligent
creatures throw themselves upon the
ground and bury their noses in the soft
soil.
In Adds Abeba.
ARRIVING at the capital, the recep-
ton of King Mereliks subjects was
most vociferous. Throngs of the popu-
lace swooped down upon the cavalcade
ana so inter,ningled with them as to
make any sepblance Of order impos-
sible. AS the American detachment
entered the city crude band of Afri-
can instruments struck up 1.-THE Star
Spangled Banner" King Menelik him.
self received the wanderers and every
possible hospitality was lavished upon
them, and they were given the freedom
of the city and lodged in close prox-
Unity to the palace-a structure much
like barn in this country.
"Addis Abeba, the capital city, has
many luOuSuHu l1iiuDlldulS. Lie nOuSes
were mostly crude matted structures
of but few feet in height. A wonder
full zoo was kept by the king, and In
this were captive specimens of all the
beasts of the Jungle. the donkeys have
been lnterbred so much that their stat
ure has become stunted and many
were scarcely more than a foot high
yet with large heads and huge ears
resembling in many ways q strange
species of rabbit.
"The Americans were anxious to get
hold of several of the animals TO trans
port out of curiosity, but there are
strict rules guarding against taking the
creatures from the country.
1.-TWO weeks were spent at the mon
arch's stronghold before the return trip
was commenced. Prior to the depar-
ture, King Menelik shook hands with
all members of the expedition and pre-
sented each with a gold medal as q
souvenir. On one side of the ornament
was his own profile and on the other
! two lions, under which were inscribed
the words, Lion Among Lions, King
Among Kings Besides concluding O
/, successful treaty with the king, the ex-
, petition brought out many relics and
, curiOs for the Smithsonian institution