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
King of the Wagowa. Obstinate fights had already occurred in which
small bands of his soldiers had been beaten, several being killed. He
had, therefore, declared to the traders that no caravan should pass to
Ujiji except over his body. The Arabs hereupon held a council, and,
finding themselves strong in fighting men,
DECLARED WAR ON MIRAMBO.
The HERALD commander took part in this. The Arabs appeared to
anticipate a speedy victory, and preparations for a jungle fight were
accordingly made. The ammunition was looked to, muskets inspected and
matchlocks cleaned. The superior armament of the HERALD expedition
made their assistance a matter of great importance to the Arabs.
THE HERALD GOES TO WAR.
An address was delivered to the members of the expedition through
Selim, the interpreter, and the forces, with the American flag flying,
were marshalled by Captain Seedy Bombay.
THE FIRST FIGHT.
At daybreak on the day following, according to previous arrangement,
the armed men were divided into three parties. The vanguard for
attack, the rear guard as immediate reserve, and the remainder,
consisting of the less active, were stationed with the _impedimenta_
and slaves in the kraals. The advance was ordered and responded to
with alacrity, and the first village where the soldiers of Mirambo
were lying was at once attacked and speedily captured. The inhabitants
were
EITHER KILLED OR DRIVEN AWAY.
Another village followed the fate of the first, and both were left in
ashes before nightfall. The troops were wearied with the hot day’s
work, but all were elate at their success thus far. The commander of
the HERALD expedition, on his return to camp, passed a sleepless
night, and morning found him
IN A HIGH FEVER.
He was therefore obliged to remain in camp, and his forces refused to
fight except under his lead. This weakened the Arab force
considerably, and, although the dreaded Mirambo and his followers,
thirsting for vengeance, were known to be in the vicinity, the day was
passed in fatal inactivity.
THE AMBUSH OF MIRAMBO.
The third day seemed as if about to pass like the preceding, the
HERALD commander still suffering from the fever, when shots were heard
in the direction of the Arab kraals, and it soon became evident that
the wily Mirambo had ambushed the Arabs. This, in effect, was the
case. A superior body of natives, armed with muskets, assegais
(spears) and poisoned arrows, had suddenly burst upon the Arabs.
A TERRIFIC SLAUGHTER ENSUED,
which ended in the rout with the Arabs, who took refuge in the jungle.
The fourth day brought with it the fruit of the disaster. The Arabs
could not be prevailed upon to renew the fight, and desertion and
flight became the order of the day. Even the
MEN OF THE HERALD EXPEDITION DESERTED,
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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