In Darkest Africa, Vol. 1; or, The Quest, Rescue, and Retreat of Emin, Governor of EquatoriaStanley, Henry M. (Henry Morton)
History
In Darkest Africa, Vol. 1; or, The Quest, Rescue, and Retreat of Emin, Governor of Equatoria
Stanley, Henry M. (Henry Morton)
Africa, Central -- Description and travel; Emin Pasha, 1840-1892
All things are savage in this region. No sooner had a solitary hippo
sighted us than he gave chase, and nearly caught us. He was punished
severely, and probably received his death wound. The fowls of Nepanga
declined to be caught on the island of Nepanga, but evaded the foragers
by flight into the jungle; the goats were restless, and combative, and
very wild. Altogether we captured twelve, which gave us some hopes of
being able to save some of our sick people. A few fish were obtained in
the weirs and basket-nets.
The results of 3 days' foraging on islands, right and left banks were 250
lbs. of Indian corn, 18 goats, and as many fowls, besides a few branches
of plantains, among 383 people. A number of villages and settlements were
searched, but the natives do not appear to possess a sufficiency of food.
They were said to be at war with a tribe called the Engweddé, and instead
of cultivating live on banana stalks, mushrooms, roots, herbs, fish, and
snails and caterpillars, varying this extraordinary diet by feeding on
slain humanity. In such a region there were no inducements to stay, and
we accordingly commenced the business of portage. Stairs' Company was
detailed for clearing the canoe track, and to strew it with branches
place athwart the road. No. 3 and 4 Companies hauled the canoes, and No.
1 Company carried the whale-boat bodily overland to the sound of wild
music and song, and by the end of the 6th, after a busy day, we were
encamped above the great Falls of Panga.
CHAPTER VIII.
FROM PANGA FALLS TO UGARROWWA'S.
Another accident at the Rapids--The village of Utiri--Avisibba
settlement--Inquiry into a murder case at Avisibba--Surprised by
the natives--Lieutenant Stairs wounded--We hunt up the enemy--The
poisoned arrows--Indifference of the Zanzibaris--Jephson's caravan
missing--Our wounded--Perpetual rain--Deaths of Khalfan, Saadi, and
others--Arrival of caravan--The Mabengu Rapids--Mustering the
people--The Nepoko river--Remarks by Binza--Our food
supply--Reckless use of ammunition--Half-way to the Albert Lake--We
fall in with some of Ugarrowwa's men--Absconders--We camp at Hippo
Broads and Avakubi Rapids--The destroyed settlement of
Navabi--Elephants at Memberri--More desertions--The Arab leader,
Ugarrowwa--He gives us information--Visit to the Arab
settlement--First specimen of the tribe of dwarfs--Arrangements
with Ugarrowwa.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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