Stanley's Story; Or, Through the Wilds of Africa: A Thrilling Narrative of His Remarkable Adventures, Terrible Experiences, Wonderful Discoveries and Amazing Achievements in the Dark ContinentFeather, A. G., Col.
History
Stanley's Story; Or, Through the Wilds of Africa: A Thrilling Narrative of His Remarkable Adventures, Terrible Experiences, Wonderful Discoveries and Amazing Achievements in the Dark Continent
Feather, A. G., Col.
Africa, Central -- Description and travel; Livingstone, David, 1813-1873; Stanley, Henry M. (Henry Morton), 1841-1904
Leaving N’kossu’s they rested one night at another village belonging to
him, and then made for the territory of the Wa Ussi. Here they met with
a surly welcome, and were told they must pass on. No doubt the
intelligence that they were carrying their master’s body had a great
deal to do with it, for the news seemed to spread with the greatest
rapidity in all directions. Three times they camped in the forest, and,
for a wonder, began to find some dry ground. The path lay in the direct
line of Chawende’s town, parallel to the north shore of the lake, and at
no great distance from it.
Some time previously a solitary Unyamwesi had attached himself to the
party at Chitankooi’s, where he had been left sick by a passing caravan
of traders; this man now assured them the country before them was well
known to him.
Approaching Chawende’s, according to native etiquette, Amoda and Sabouri
went on in front to inform the chief, and to ask leave to enter his
town. As they did not come back, Muanuasere and Chuma set off after
them, to ascertain the reason of the delay. No better success seemed to
attend this second venture; so, shouldering their burdens, all went
forward in the track of the four messengers.
In the mean time Chuma and Muanuasere met Amoda and Sabouri coming back
toward them with five men. They reported that they had entered the town,
but found it a very large stockaded place; moreover, two other villages
of equal size were close to it. Much pombe-drinking was going on. On
approaching the chief, Amoda had rested his gun against the principal
hut innocently enough. Chawende’s son, drunk and quarrelsome, made this
a cause of offence, and, swaggering up, he insolently asked them how
they dared to do such a thing. Chawende interfered, and for the moment
prevented further trouble; in fact, he himself seems to have been
inclined to grant the favor which was asked; however, there was danger
brewing, and the men retired.
When the main body met them returning, tired with their fruitless
errand, a consultation took place. Wood there was none. To scatter about
and find materials with which to build shelter for the night would only
offer a great temptation to these drunken, excited people to plunder the
baggage. It was resolved to make for the town.
When they reached the gate of the stockade they were flatly refused
admittance, those inside telling them to go down to the river and camp
on the bank. They replied that this was impossible; that they were
tired, it was very late, and nothing could be found there to give them
shelter. Meeting with no different answer, Safene said, “Why stand
talking to them? let us get in somehow or other;” and, suiting the
action to the word, they pushed the men back who stood in the gateway.
Safene got through, and Muanuasere climbed over the top of the stockade,
followed by Chuma, who instantly opened the gate wide and let his
companions through. Hostilities might still have been averted had better
counsel prevailed.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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