Africa, Central -- Description and travel; Slave trade -- Africa
"We had passed over several miles and had only seen a few small
antelopes, when upon ascending some rising ground in the very open
forest, we caught sight of a herd of tetel bounding along through some
high grass towards some low, rocky hills, a few hundred yards distant.
There were many large trees growing out of the clefts of the rocks, and
I proposed that Lieutenant Baker should go round the hill on my right,
while I should creep quietly over the summit of the rocks, as I expected
we should find the antelopes standing in some sheltered glade.
"When I arrived at the base of the small hill, which was not higher than
seventy or eighty feet, and was composed of large masses of granite, I
carefully ascended, without making the slightest noise.
"On arrival at the denuded summit, I was well concealed by a detached
block of granite that lay upon a flat weather-worn surface of the same
rock.
"I raised my head, and looked in vain for the antelopes. The ground was
a beautiful park, characterized by numerous masses of granite, like
ruined castles, among trees of all shades of green. The ground was
covered with young grass about six inches high, which had sprung up
after the annual fire that had destroyed the last year's dry herbage.
"I could see no game. Presently I observed the native, who was a few
yards on my left, making eager gestures, and pointing with his finder in
order to direct my attention. I at once perceived a family of wild pigs
which had emerged from some bush, and were quietly feeding along the
glade, so that they would shortly pass in front of me within sixty
yards.
"The natives love pork beyond all other flesh, thus I had a good
opportunity for showing them a little treat. With a quick right and left
shot I knocked over two pigs, and reloading the "Dutchman" in a few
instants, I rolled over a boar that had galloped off to about 120 yards'
distance. This animal recovered itself and got away to some place of
cover.
"Upon the arrival of Lieutenant Baker and the natives, we tracked the
blood for about 300 yards to a small plot of high grass that had escaped
the fire. I knew that we must find the wounded boar in this retreat. I
therefore ordered the natives to beat it out. The boar soon broke cover
and galloped off along the open, but quickly rolled over as a shot from
the "Dutchman" struck it behind the shoulder. The natives were delighted
with the success of the rifle, as it had produced three fine pigs for
their service within a few minutes."
"February 24. --The whole of the troops and baggage from the vessels
arrived safely to-day, together with the cattle and sheep, thus all my
arrangements have, thank God, speeded, and I am now in possession of my
force and material."
Major Abdullah delivered his report. As I had expected, he had been
attacked in great force by the natives after my departure. The Baris, as
usual, had employed treachery, which had very nearly succeeded.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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