Rensselaer Republican, Volume 25, Number 4, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 22 September 1892 — CAST UP BY THE SEA. [ARTICLE]

CAST UP BY THE SEA.

BY STR SAMUEL W. BAKER.

2 ■ CHAPTEIVXIXCositndid. Wild shouts and immense confusion followed this speech; - Some of tbs people woule have agreed to the proposal, while others declared that he should be put to. death at once. The tumult rose to sbch a pitch that the riot became general and the parties were proceeding to blows, which would certainly have ended in the slaughter of Ned. had not Tim struck several loud blows upon the great drum, which important signal restored tranquility. Tim did not lose the opportunity, but at once addressedthe people, and being thoroughly conversant with their ways, he made a proposal that met with general approbation and satisfied all parties. As he explained this suggestion to Ned: “Itell dese black jstoppid niggers dis much. Says 1, ‘You all right on the one side, my good feilers, and you all right oh de oder s ide, too. Now. if every body all right, nobody all wrong; dat's a fact 'xactly. Now one side say, “Kill him to day' -quite right; but de oder side say, “Wait six days”— quiterigbt. Now I say, “Make it half of de one and half of de oder — dat's de proper way, den everybody right.” Dat's de way to talk to de niggers, Massa Ned. Now dey understand—now dcy quite pleased. If de rain come in tree days, very good fun; if not, dey kill us all, dat very good fun too for de niggers; but we ll cut and run, and get de start for tree days; dat’s de trick ’xactly.” Tim’s epeech had completely satisfied the natives. The shouts lately so angry quickly turned to those of merriment, as they all looked forward to rain in three days. Ned lost ho time in preparation, and determined to start at once. To avoid suspicion it was arranged that the natives should carry a certain amount to the grove of palm, trees by the lake; no shelter was required, as there was neither dew nor rain. It would be impossible to carry much, as Ned determined to make forced marches; therefore the two old knapsacks were quickly arranged with longer straps that would fit the broad shoulders of the two powerful young men, and these were packed with strips of dried meat, with a quantity of native bread that, dried in the sun, would serve in the place Of biscuit during a long journey. The sextant, compass, etc., and ammunition completed the outfit; but of the original stock of the latterjao more than sixty rounds of ball cartridge remained,’ and the shot had been expended years ago. The cartridges were divided between them; and with their two doublebarreled guns with new flints, and a sharp cutlass eaeh, they accompanied the natives to the palm trees, where they were to be left in perfect seclusion for the stipulated three days. : The natives quickly left them, and as the moo,ft would be nearly futiNed determined to start shortly after sunset. \

At that hour,'when the natives were engaged in penning their cattle, which they had driven within their Irraals, Ned and Tijp departed, followed by old Nero. They knew the country for the first twenty miles; thus they accomplished that distance in about five hours, and then contin'ued to march throughout the night over vast plains of withered grass interspersed with large trees. By sunrise on the following morning they had marched about forty miles and had gained a fair start of the natives, in case they should be pursued. During the entire distance they had found no water, but happily shortly after daybreak they arrived at a ravine, which, although a formidable torrent during the rainy season, was now reduced to a dry rocky bed, with small pools of clear water at intervals. Having bathed in a pool, they slept beneath an overhanging rock, which gave a delightful shade, which was the more grateful as the trees were all devoid of leaves, owing to the intense drought. They woke at about 2p. in.,and immediately buckled on tbeir knapsacks refilled their goat skins with clear water for the march. Ned’s greatest anxiety lay in the want of water. The country was entirely unknown to him, and he knew that ferocious tribes ot negroes existed between them aud Zanzibar, but these he did not fear so much as a frightful death by thirst. The entire country was burnt up, the underwood in the jungles was dead, the trees leafless and the plains were a bright yellow ; the ground was cracked in all directions by broad and deep Tisß ures the

ravines that generally held water were completely dry. Trusting in Providence, but fully sensible of the extreme danger of the journey, that was simply a last resource to escape certain death. Ned led the way. They had hardly started, when be perceived a large herd of buffaloes coming across the plain toward the ravine, and raising a cloud of dust from the parched ground as they galloped toward the drinking place. As fresh meat for themselves and the dog was sorely needed, Ned determined to obtain a shot, if possible ; accordingly, both he and Tim concealed themselves and watched the herd of thirsty animals, who now rushed headlong to the water. Presently the}’ arrived at the margin of the ravine, down whiph they hurried in adense mass, and Ned distinctly tbeard the clattering of the loose rocks which fell as the numerous .hoofs dislodged them. Creeping iquietly towani the spot where the Inerd had disappeared Hi the ravine, Ned reached the precipitous bunk,

accompanied by Tim and Nero. Looking cautiously over the edge, he observed: a herd of about a hundred buffaloes wallowing in the pool below. As he required meat of a good description, be selected a cow instead of a bull, and, aiming steadily at the shoulder of one that stood about fifty yards distant, he fired. For the moment she fell to the shot, and Nero, with his usual dashed forward to the attack and seized her by the eat. Recovering on this instant, the buffalo sprang upon her feet r and tossing her head with immense force, she swung the dog high in the air. Unfortunately, poor old Nero had lost many of his teeth, and the ear slipped from his hold. Falling from the height of several feet, the buffalo with great adroitness caught the dog upon her sharp pointed horns, and bored him upon the ground. The herd had, in the meantime, remained standing in astonishment, as they had never before beard the report of a gun,neither could they distinguish the cause ; but as they saw the wounded cow attacking the dog they were seized with a sudden fury, and one and all, headed by an enormous bull.charged desperately forward upon the unlucky Nero. There was a savage and tremendous tumult of hoofs and horns. The wounded cow that was streaming with blood from the shoulder became the object of attack as well as the dog; she was bored to the ground by a phalanx of maddened animals, who now fought with each other in their rage, while Others tossed in the air and alternately trampled under their feet a black, woollv mass, that had entirely lost the shape of a dog. All this had happened so quickly that Ned had neither time nor power to render assistance. The rage of the buffaloes was such that he fully expected they would turn their attack upon him, should he be discovered. Accordingly he dared" not fire until both he and Tim had climbed to the top of a large frag'ment of rock about seven feet above the level of the ground on the margin of the ravine. From this secure position he fired at the shoulder of a large bull in the midst of the melee, now within twenty paces of him. For. an instant the struggle ceased, and the entire herd, leaving the cow dead upon the ground, charged recklessly toward the spot where the smoke of the gun hung heavily among the bushes. It was well that Ned and Tim had taken the precaution to secure a strong position. The herd came thundering up the steep bank of the ravine, and as the wave is broken by a reef so the dense body divided upon either side of the rock upon which Ned stood, against which they were pressed by the weight of those behind. Although ammunition was scarce, Ned could not resist a downward shot in revenge at the neck of a huge bull, whose tough sides rubbed against the rock close to his feet as he rushed blindly past; the ball passed through the spine and he fell dead, the rest of the herd galloping over his body. Following their mad impulse the herd dashed frildly on, they knew not whither, anc shortly nothing eould be distinguished but a dense cloud of dust on the plain as they disappeared in the distance. Ned and Tim jumped from their stronghold and ran quickly down to the spot where the poor dog lay, crushed to a mummy by the infuriated herd. It was Edith's dog, and Ned recalled the day when he left the rectory and saw her for the last time, and Nero came bounding after him. From that moment the dog had been the faithful companion of all his wanderings and the partaker of every danger and hardship; he had slept by his side at night and watched over his safety; and, next to Tim, Nero was his greatest friend. His soft, curly coat was now a mass of matted gore, and nothing remained that bore the faintest resemblance to the fine old dog that a few minutes before was full of courage and vigor. Tim fairly blubbered like a child as he and Ned dug a hole in the sand with two stakes that they had sharpened with their cutlasses, and they buried their faithful companion. As they covered the grave with largo stones and thorn bushes to prevent the body from being exhumed by hyenas, Ned lingered for affew minutes on the spot, and then sorrowfully buckled on his knapsack and slung his water skin upon his shoulders. Taking up their guns, they silently commenced their dreary march; neither could speak. ~ It was intensely hot and not a cloud shaded the sky. They had cut a few steaks off the buffalo, and the air was already swarming with vultures that had observed the carcasses from the immense altitudes Twhere, themselves invisible from the earth, they soared throughout the day upon their untiring wings and watched for prey beneath with telescopic sight. They had marched for about four hours over arid plains, almost devoid of trees, when they arrived at a broad belt of forest; passing through this, they entered upon a vast tract of high tangled grass that was nearly double the height of a man. This was perfectly impenetrable, and. after having vainly endeavored to discover a' path f Ned came to the conclusion that they must alter their course or ■ trust to a broad track that had been I made by the trampling of elephants. ■ Tim suggested that the latter might ' possibly lead them to water. It was . nearly dark, and after wandering' 1 fruitlessly, on the tracks which turnled in various directions, there was

no other course' than to bait tor the night. They now felt the loss of their good friend Nero, who had always been their faithful sentry;- and fearful of sleeping! without a watch being kept, it was resolved that, although tired, they should take turns to keep guard throughout the night. They cleared a s mall space i n the high grass, made a fire, upon which they threw for a few minutes their strips of buffalo meat which served for their dinner, and Ned first went to sleep. The moon was bright, and had the country been clear the night would have been the most favorable time for marching. Tim, being on guard, had taken his station on top of a large white ant hilt about twelve feet high, at the foot of which Ned was asleep; from this elevated station he had an extensive view of the bright yellow filain that glistened in the moonlight ike burnished gold, Lions were roaring in the distance, but Tim was so accustomed to this sound that it made little impression upon him, and for about an hour lie kept a vigilant watch. As Tim was a Christian he n>-ver omitied to say his prayers, and it suddenly occurred to him that he had forgotten his evening devotions; accordingly, as he sat on guard on the conical summit of the ant hill, he repeated his accustomed prayer, and. being thoroughly fatigued”, he fell asleep before he had actually concluded. Row long he slept he could not tell, but he suddenly awoke as what he imagined to be the bright sunlight was streaming in bis eyes. A vivid glare shone upon the sky, and an intense line of light streamed along the surface of the earth. Recovering frpm his sleep, .Tim shouted “Fire!” and at once scrambling down from his high post, he drew his*cutlass and set to work like a madman to mow down the high grass by which they were surrounded. Ned.lnstantly awoke, and quickly made Aware of the danger, he joined Tim in his work with a desperation incited by the extremity of the moment. The wind was blowing strong from the direction they wished to pursue on the following morning, and the prairie being dn fire, an immense volume of flames, that extended in a long line that appeared to have no limit, was driving toward them at a rapid rate. As Tim had been asleep for some hours, he had not observed the fire until it was within a mile of their position and the bright light had awakened him. Keeping the ant hill for a center they now worked desperately, and cut down the grass in a circle until the mound stood in a clear space about seventy feet in diamecer: they now dragged the cut grass to the leeward side of the circle and piled it against the wall of dried and inflammable material that was to be ignited to clear a space before them. Taking a brand from their fire that was still smoldering, Ned lighted the {file to leeward, and both immediatey retreated to the windward side of their cleared circle. The grass was so intensely dry that it burnt like flax, and the flames at once leapt upward to a height of about thirty feet with a loud rushing sound, accompanied by cracking reports resembling pistol shots, as the reedy stems burst in the blazing fire. The heat was almost insurmountable, and Ned was forced to retreat into the high grass to windward, while Tim sheltered himself behind the ant hill, as the flames spread with wonderful velocity, and, swept by they strong breeze, they licked up the grass before them and rushed forward, leaving a dark and level surface behind them like a pall of black velvet, in which flared the withered stumps cf numerous trees. r In less than ten minutes several acres of ground were cleared by the fire to leeward, and although the grass had ignited around the circle, so that Ned was forced to join Tim at the ant hill, it burnt slowly to windward, and did not produce the distressing heat to which he had at first been subjected. The warning had been short, and had Tim slept a little longer nothing could have prevented their destruction. The ground left by the receding fire was scarcely cool enough to be endurable by the feet, when dense volumes of smoke rolled over them from the advancing fire, as the flames, fanned by the wind, leapt forward as though rejoicing in their power to annihilate all before them. Ned and Tim were obliged to rush far forward upon the burnt ground to avoid suffocation. The sight was grand in the extreme, as the whole earth appeared to be in a blaze of fire farther than the eye could reach. Presently it reached the cleared circle, and an instant the flames ceased in that portion of the line, which, now broken, swept by on either side, and vanished as it met the limits already burnt. They were safe! And as Ned looked forward now in the rear of the advance line of fire, the earth was cleared of every particle of vegetation, and was covered with a light black ash. as as though with a light fold of crape. There was no longer any danger to fear from either man or beast, and the two tired and blackened figures, Ned and Tim, lay down and slept till morning. Th£y rose before sunrise, and, as the ground was even and perfectly cleared from all obstacles, they marched rapidly by compass, steardirect for the position of Zanzibar. Ned had his chart with him that he had preserved throughout his first journey from the coast, which he knew to be correct; therefore there would be no difficulty in discovering the right position, provided that the nature of the country should permit provided that the nature of the country should permit a direct line of march. Aware of the great

importance of speed, they pushed on at a rapid" pace throughout the day and only halted when they arrived at water in a beautifully wooded hoflow at about fourin the afternoon. Ned calculated that they had travded thirty-fivc miles- since the morhing. They had now reached tho origin Of the’prairie fire, which had evident ly commenced on the high bank of the stream which they discovered in the wooded hollow beneath. In the wet season this was a considerable river, but the dry weather had re- , duced it to atriekling brook of beau-’ tifully clear water, that rippled over the pebbly bed in a depth of only a few inches, except in certain bends where the torrent had hollowed out deep pools; these were gome acres in extent, and hardly had Ned descended the river’s bed, thanhis ears were delighted by the loud snort of hippopotami, and he noticed several of these animals with their heads above the water. He lost no time in endeavoring to procure a dinner. A large tamarind tree grew in the steep bank above the deep pool; hiding behind this Ned sent Tim to the opposite side of the pool to shout and to throw stones at the hippopotami, so as to drive them over to the spot where he was lying in ambush. This had the desired effect, and presently, after a succession of loud snorting and repeated diving, the hippopotami retreated from Tim’s side of the pool, and a large head suddenly appeared on the surface, exactly beneath Ned and within five or six. yards of the muzzle of his gun,. He fired in the back of thehead between the ears, as the animal was looking away from him, its attention being engaged by Tim. It sank immediate ly, but Ned felt certain that it was killed: he therefore determined to waste no more ammunition, but to wait until it should float, which would be in about an hour and a half. (to be continued)