Rensselaer Republican, Volume 24, Number 47, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 21 July 1892 — CAST UP BY THE SEA. [ARTICLE]

CAST UP BY THE SEA.

©HAPTEH XIV— Continued. These stores were equaHy divided Between himself and Tim, while Mere carried a portion of the bullets land a supply of bisects for his own use. • :?* ' * It was on a bright moonlight night that Ned had determined to start. At about la. m., when the people pf the village were asleep, Ne.d Xstrapped the small saddle packs upon Nero, and, with the knapsacka-upon their backs and the double-barreled guns in their hands, he and Tim forsook the comfortable hut and struck Into the depths of the forest. They Hjjarched till daylight upon a narrow footway that resembled the run of *heep; this was already known to them for a distance of about six miles, as they had often traveled upop the route during their excur'slons, burblyond that limit all was unexplored. When day broke Ned found himself in a dense forest where giant trees rose to the height of upward of a hundred feet, springing from a thick and tangled underwood through which it would have been Impossible to penetrate except by the narrow path already mentioned. They had marched five hours when the sun rose at six o'clock, thus Ned f /calculated that they hadmade fifteen - miles ;. be accordingly determined to push on until eight at the same rate of three miles per hour. * The night had been cool and they had marched almost without fatigue until sunrise, but the last two hours had been extremely hot, and Ned was thankful When he suddenly arrived on the banks of a clear stream that rippled over a bed' of pebbles between tw<J overhanging cliffs. It was a lovely spot, shaded by the dark foliage of the tamarind trees that grew in the deep clefts among the rocks, and Ned had dp sooner arrived than be unstrap; > -d Nero’s load, and quickly throw: .g off his clothes he plunged in to a pool of cool water that formed a natural - basin- in th« river’s bed. The dog followed his master, together with Tim, and all reveled in the luxury of the morning bath;- —-7—_____ After bathing Ned arranged hts packs upon some bare rocks beneath the shade of a large tamarind tree, and all being extremely hungry, he looked despairingly at the bag of biscuits which formed their scanty fare Tim had already lighted a fire, although there was nothing to cook, when Ned suddenly listened to a distant sound, and, jumping up, he took this gun, which he loaded with shot instead of ball, and started dong the , bed of the stream in quest of guineafowl that he had heard cackling in the distance. He was followed by Nero, and after a rough scramble among the rocks in the bed of thewinding stream, he arrived close to the sound. As he carefully turned a corner in the river he observed a large number of guinea-fowl Sitting close together upon the branches of a tree, from which they kept up an incessant cackling at a falcon, which, having captured one of their party, was now eagerly devouring its prey upon a high rock above the stream. Creeping through the bushes while at tention of the guinea-fowl was I attracted by the falcon, Ned arrived I unseen within thirty yards of the I ‘tree, and aiming at the center of the I flock, he fired. To his delight five I turds fell to the ground, one of ■ which, being only winged, would I have escaped in the thick bushes had ■ not Nero at once secured it. They ■ were in exceedingly good condition, ■ and as Ned felt their fat breasts with ■ satisfaction, he tied their legs to- ■ gether with a strip of tough bark ■ which he tore from the stem of a ■ mimosa, and then joyfully returned Rto breakfast. They had now suffi- ■ cient for the evening, as the birds ■ were so large that even their appe■vtes could hardly manage two for ■ breakfast; therefore the pot was ■ placed upon the fire and two were ■ boiled, while three were stuck upon ■ spits for roasting. Tim was a good ■ hand at jungle cookery. Thus he R placed a straight bamboo across two ■ forked sticks which rested in the ■ ground close to the fire; against this ■ jhejaid his spits, with one end fixed ■in the earth;, these he occasionally ■ turned when they required it, and in ■’about forty minutes the fowls were ■(beautifully roasted. Breakfast was ■[ready; they wisely determined to eat ■ the boiled fowls and to carry the ■ roast upon the afternoon march, as ■ they would better support the heat ■of the journey. A few biscuits ■ stewed up with the soup of the boiled ■ fowls, together with the bones left ■ from breakfast, afforded Nero a ■ hearty meal, and both Ned and Tim J lay down beneath a shady tree, ■ against the st em of which they placed ■their guns; in a short time the whole ■party, including the dog, were sound ■asleep. ■. They had slept for about four ■hours when Ned was suddenly awoke ■by a low growl from Nero, and sit■ting up, he, saw the dog rush into ■the jungle and bark furiously at Tj \jne object unseen; but almost at same instant Ned felt himself ■seized from behind, and before he ■had time to offer the slightest resist■ance, or even to discover the cause ■of attack, his arms were firmly ■bound, and he was entirely helpless. ■Tim had been secured in the same ■manner. A loud yell was now raised, ■and Ned was surrounded with a ■party of naked savages, armed with and bows. Nero, upon hearthe noise, came bounding back |Kroin the mtn whom he had attacked ■n the jungle, and, seeing Ned. he immediately took his stand by his ■ide. ■ All this happened so suddenly and

BY SIR SAMUEL W. BAKER.

unexpectedly that Ned could hardly believe his eyes, but putting a bold face upon the matter, he smiled as the leader of the party confronted him, at the same time he made signs that the twisted palm-leaves that" confined his arms caused him much pain. This man was an immensely powerful negro, with a ferocious expression of countenance, but upon seeing Ned smile he examined nim closely with surprise; he then looked at the dog and at Tim, as though completely puzzeled at the nature of his prisoners. In the mean time Nero was growling fiercely, although restrained from attack by Neds voice. Having satisfied himself that the party consisted of only two persons and the dog, the negro chief gave an order to his men, who qt Once prepared two longlorked sticks, about the thickness of a man’s arm. In a few minutes Ned found his neck firmly secured in the fork by means of a cross piece of wood that was lashed across the points. Tim was fettered in a similar manner; a rope was then attached to the extremity of the handle. and thjus led by two powerful negroes, both Ned and Tim found themselves in the possession of a gang of slave, hunters. Without further delay severalmenteokpossessipn of the guns, knapsacks and various effects, wat lay upon the ground, and they marched rapidly forward for about an hour, until they arrived at a narrow path which turned to the west, upon which they hurried without once halting until nearly sunset. Ned was suffering severely from thirst and fatigue, the heat was excessive, and upon arrival at a considerable stream he made signs to Bi man who led him that he wished irin k. At that moment the party ted, and the negro descended to the river, and, having slaked his own thirst, - he returned with a large gourd shell full of clear water. Never had Ned enjoyed a draught of water with such delight, and he drained every drop from the gourd. He now made signs that they should release him from the yoke, and that ha would not attempt to escape. Upon this, a consultation was held, which ended by the approach of the leader of the party, who, with violent threats and gesticulations explained that, should Ned attempt to desert he would be immediately nut to death. He thendrew a knife from a sheath slung upon his arm above the left elbow, with which he cut the rope that secured Ned’s neck in the fork, at the same time he released his arms. Ned -was so stiff that he could scarcely raise his hands to his forehead in gratitude for his freedom, but having performed this simple act of courtesy to the negro chief, he explained by signs that Tim also should be released. Without further delay Tim’s bonds were cut; at the same time he was given a gourd full of water. Having taken a long draught, Tim stretched his stiffened arms, and then rubbed his elbows as he sat do wn by the side of Ned, who, tired out, had thrown himself at full length upon the ground. —‘iJis. is a prettyliettle ob fish',” Massa Ned!” exclaimed Tim; “pity Massa Ned didn’t marry all de ole chief’s gals! Now we run away we got into bad business. Tim knows dis work; not de fust time Tim had his neck in de fork. Dese black fellers big blackguards, Massa Ned; eatched we for slaves; Tim knows dis work; catched Tim before now.” Tim’s former experience had been severely practical, and he rightly surmised that both he and Ned were captured for the purpose of being sold to some neighboring tribe; thus they might be handed about from one to the other as slaves for the remainder of their existence. At the same time, when he had reflected upon Ned’s want of diplomacy in refusing the old chief’s daughters, he in no way faltered in his allegiance, as he was thoroughly prepared to suffer any misery so long as he could share the lot of his youngs master; but it was Ned’s misfortune that he regretted. J “Do you think they mean to sell us, Tim?” asked Ned. “Yes, Massa Ned, p’raps sell Tim to one man; sell Massa Ned to anoder.” “Brutes!” exclaimed Ned, “this slave trade is, indeed, an accursed traffic!” : —-7 —_■ “Yes, Massa Ned,” rejoined Tim*, bad business—almost bad like King George’s bus’ness.” “What do you mean, Tim?” asked Ned. “ I say,” replied the practical fellers almost bad as de pressgang fellers, only not quite. De king’s fellers steal de boys to let de Frenehmen shoot’em; do black niggers steal ’em, make ’em do de work ; pressgang more bad, take de white slaves let de Frenchmen kill ’em.” Ned would not question Tim’s logic; there was no doub't of their situa--1 tion; the tribes were at perpetual warfare with each other for the purpose of capturing slaves, some of which were exchanged for ivory with distant countries, while others were transported tp Zanzibar, which was the great Portuguese depot for the trade. One fact was clear, that it was necessary to find favor in the eyes of their captors, and to trust in Providence for their future guidance. Determined upon this policy, though stiff and tired Ned rose from the ground and assisted the party in collecting wood for the night fires that were necessary to protect them from wild animals. There was a large quantity of fallen timber in the for-

est, and in a short 'thne the united efforts of the people had collected numerous- trunks and branches of dead trees, which were arranged in several piles. > All being completed, a negro commenced the tedious operation of. producing fire by the friction of two pieces of wood. He first procured a stick, in which he cut a notch; he then selected a piece of straight and dry wood about as thick as the little finger; this he sharpened to a point, which he inserted in the notch, and holding this firmly upon the ground with his toes he rapidly twirled the upper stick between the palm of his hands, so that the point revolved within the notch as though it were a drill. In about three minutes it began to smoke, but as the success in producing fire by this method depends upon the quality of the wood, much labor was vainly expended, and the friction brought no spark, as the wood was of the wrong kind. Ned immediately produced a flinx and steej from his pocket with a piece of tinder formed of canvas; with this he at once struck a light, to the astonishment of the natives, who crowded around him to witness the extraordinary operation. For at least ten minutes he was obliged to! continue the performance of producing a shower of sparks by the blow of the flint and steel, to the intense delight of the natives, who vainly attempted it, but only succeeded in knocking the skin off their knuckles. It was nearly dark, and the forest appeared in deep gloom, as the pile of dry wood blazed brightly and illumined the trees upon the banks of the river where the patty had bivouacked. The chief, accompanied by one of his men, had been some time absent in a search for wild yams, which abounded in the forest, and climbed like gigantic convoluli round the stems of the trees. Tim had already placed his pet upon the fire, and the water was boiling in anticipation of the supply of vegetables, when suddenly a loud shriek was heard in the dense woods at no great distanceythis was almost immediately succeeded by a terrific roar; another leud cry of alarm was heard, and alLtha men rushed to their arms crying, “The lion! the lion I” • , V In an instant Ned seized the gun loaded with ball, and without the slightest hesitation he rush.ed toward the spot through the thick bushes, followed by Nero and the entire party. In the excitement of the moment his stiffness and fatigue had vanished, and he dashed forward wiltft a speed that was hardly equaled by the naked negroes who accompanied him. In less than a minute they heard a rush in the jungle before them. Ned immediately cocked the gun; but in that instant the figure of the powerful negro chief appeared flying toward them as he shouted the dreadful name, “The lionl” A loud roaring and growling was distinctly heard within a hundred paces of them, and the negroes hesitated to advance. Ned resolutely pushed forward, followed by Tim and Nero; and presently the dog, who had heard the terrible sound, dashed from his master’s side, and, rushing toward the spot, was heard barking loudly at the lion. In a few moments Ned arrived at a small open glade in the middle of the forest, in which to his horror he saw the lion upon the body of a man whom he had seized by the throat, while Nero stood within a few yards bayring him furiously. Upon Ned’s arrival in the open spot the lion angrily shook the neck of the man. as a dog would shake a rat, and then slowly dragged the body toward the thick bush. Ned rushed forward, and stood within ten paces of the immense brute, who seeing himself thus challenged, turned, and releasing his hold of the neck of his victim, he placed one of his paws upon the chest, and crouched upon the ground, facing and glaring upon his unexpected adversary,. At this moment Nero sprang toward him and barked loudly; this diverted his attention, and the lion turned his shaggy head toward the dog; profiting by the opportunity, Ned took a steady aim at the temple, a little in front of the ear, and fired. At the report of the gun, the lion rolled over upon his back, and convulsively stretched out his prodigious paws, which trembled in the palsy of death, as the ball had passed through his (train. Hardly had the smoke cleared, when Nero rushed in and seized the lion by his hairy throat, which he shook and tore in desperate fury, at the same time he received a deep scratch from one of the claws that contracted in the death struggle. At the report of the gun, the natives had rushed back in terror, but now that they witnessed its effect, they crowded around Ned, and taking his hand, they kissed the palm and jembraced him after their fashion, by raising both his hands three times above his head. The ferocious looking negro, who was their chief, also drew near in the ecstasy of the moment, and throwing up his arms, he shouted an address of admiration, which was succeeded by a loud yell of praise from all present. The dead body of the negro who had been killed was drawn upon one 'side, and est for the beasts of prey that would devour it during the night, while with exciting shouts of victory the negroes dragged the lion through theforest, and laid it by the night fire that was brightly blazing at the place of biviouac. It appeared that the chief and the deceased negro were returning from their search after'; yams, when the lion suddenly sprang upon them from the thick jungle, and seizing the man by the throat, he quickly strangled him; the chief had thrown his spear without effect, as it had glanced from the stemof the tree; e had then shouted for help, which

bad been so quickly and courageously given by Ned. For several hours after the moon rose the conversation continued upon the recent event, and there was a general feeling of astonishment and admiration at Ned’s courage and the power of the gun. Nero also shared in the praise, as the negroes were delighted that the dog had flown so directly at the lion’s throat when the fatal shot was fired. While ths exciting topic was discussed by the blazing fires, the heroes of the night, Ned, Tim and Nero, were stretched upon some dry grass fast asleep, tired out with the long day’s march; they had gone supperless to rest, as sleep was more desired than food; in the mean' time, the natives, having skinned their late enemy, made use of Tim’s cooking-pot and feasted on the lion.