 5. In which the travelers enjoy themselves extremely, and Disco Lillehammer sees several astonishing sights. Behold our travelers, then, fairly embarked on the waters of the Great African River Zambezi into Canoes, one of which is commanded by Harold Cedrift, the other by Disco Lillehammer. Of course, these enterprising chiefs were modest enough at first to allow two of the Macalolo men Jumbo and Zambo to wield the steering oars, but after a few days' practice they became sufficiently expert, as Disco said, to take the helm except when strong currents rendered the navigation difficult, or when the weather became so piping-hot that none but men clad in black skins could work. We must, however, guard the reader here from supposing that it is always piping-hot in Africa. There are occasional days when the air may be styled lukewarm when the sky is serene and when all nature seems joyful and enjoyable. Days in which a man opens his mouth wide and swallows down the atmosphere, when he feels his health and strength and rejoices in them, and when, if he be not an infidel, he also feels a sensation of gratitude to the giver of all good. On such a day, soon after entering the east wava mouth of the Zambezi, the explorers, for such we may almost venture to style them, ascend at the smooth stream close to the left bank, Harold Leading, Disco following closely in his weight. The men rode gently, as if they enjoyed the sweet calm of early morning, and were unwilling to disturb the innumerable flocks of wildfowl that chuckled among the reeds and sedges everywhere. Harold sat in the stern, leaning back, and only dipping the steering oar lazily now and then to keep the canoe from running on the bank or plunging into a forest of gigantic rushes. Disco, having resolved to solace himself with a whip of his darling pipe, had resigned the helm to Jumbo, and laid himself in a position of comfort, which admitted of his resting his head on the gunwale in such a manner that, out of the corners of his eyes, he could gaze down into the water. The part of the river they had reached was so perfectly still that every cloud in the sky, every mangrove, root and spray, and every bending bulrush was perfectly reproduced in the reflected world below. Plain of cries of wildfowl formed appropriate melody, to which chattering groups of monkeys and croaking bullfrogs contributed a fine tenor and base. Hello, Disco, exclaimed Harold in a subdued key, looking over his shoulder. Aye, aye, sir, sighed the seaman without moving his position. Range up alongside, I want to speak to you. Aye, aye, sir, Jumbo, you black-faced villain, do you hear that? Give way and go long-side. Good-humored Jumbo spoke very little English, but had come to understand a good deal during his travels with Dr. Livingston. He wrinkled his visage and showed his brilliant teeth on receiving the order. Muddering a word to the men and giving a vigorous stroke, he shot up alongside of the leader's canoe. You seem comfortable, said Harold with a laugh, as Disco's vast visage appeared at his elbow. Aye, aye, sir, I am. Isn't this jolly, continued Harold? No, sir, taint. Why, what do you mean? I mean that jolly ain't the word by a long way, for to express the nature of my feelings. There ain't no word as I'd nose on as I'd come up to it. If I wore a philosopher now, I'd corn a word for the occasion. Perhaps, continued Disco, drawing an unusually long whip from his pipe, perhaps not being a philosopher, I might nevertheless try to coin one. What's the lat now for heaven? Selam, replied Harold. Selam, huh? And what's the earth? Terra. Terra, well now, what ridiculous names to give to him, said Disco, shaking his head gravely. I can't see why the ancients couldn't have been satisfied with the name that we'd given them. How's ever, that's neither here nor there. My notion over the state of things that we've got into here as they now stand is that they are Selam Tauratius, which means heaven upon earth. D.E.C.? As Disco pronounced the word with a powerful emphasis on the U.M. part of it, the sound was rather effective and seemed to please him. Say, you're right, or nearly so, replied Harold, but don't you think the word savers too much of perfection, seeing that breakfast would add to the pleasure of the present delightful state of things and make them even more Selam Tauratius than they are? No, sir, no, the word ain't too perfect, replied Disco, with a look of critical severity. Part of it is earth, and earth is imperfect, being susceptible of a many improvements among which undoubtedly is breakfast, likewise dinner and supper, to say nothing of lunch and tea, which is suitable only for babies and women. So I agree with you, sir, that the state of things will be Selam Tauratius if we goes ashore and has breakfast. He tapped the head of his very black little pipe on the edge of the canoe, and he'd decide of contentment as he watched the ash ball that floated away on the stream. Then, rousing himself, he seized the steering oar and followed Harold into a small creek, which was pleasantly overshadowed by the rich tropical foliage of that region. While breakfast was being prepared by Antonio, whose talents as chef de cuisine were of the highest order, Harold took his rifle and rambled into the bush in search of game, any kind of game, for at that time he had had no experience whatever of the sport afforded by the woods of tropical Africa. And having gathered only a few vague ideas from books, he went forth with all the pleasurable excitement and expectation that we may suppose peculiar to discoverers. Disco Lillehammer, having only consumed his first pipe of tobacco, and holding it to be a duty which he vowed to himself to consume too before breakfast, remained at the campfire to smoke and chaff Antonio, whose good nature was only equal by his activity. What have he got there? inquired Disco, as Antonio poured a quantity of seed into a large pot. Dis, by Hemsby-Mapira, replied the interpreter with a big, ignorant smile. Hems, the chief food of this country. It must be remarked here that Antonio's English, having been acquired from all sorts of persons in nearly every tropical part of the globe, was somewhat of a jumble being a compound of the broken English spoken by individuals among the Germans, French, Portuguese, Arabs, and Negroes, with whom he had at various times associated, modified by his own ignorance and seasoned with a dash of his own inventive fancy. Is it good? asked Disco. Who? exclaimed Antonio. Being unable to find words to express himself, the enthusiastic cook placed his hand on the region which was destined ere long to become a receptacle for the Mapira and rolled his eyes upwards in rapture. Ha! Who shall see behind long? Before long, Yameen observed the seaman. That all the same thing slung you on or stand him, replied Antonio complacently. Bring vater now, jumbo. Put him in careful, not spill on the fire. So, who? Jumbo filled up the kettle carefully and a broad grin overspread his black visage, partly because he was easily tickled into a condition of visibility by the cool offhand remarks of Disco Lillehammer. And partly because, having acquired his own small spattering of English from Dr. Livingston, he was intelligent enough to perceive that in regard to Antonio's language, there was something peculiar. Now, go fetch another kettle. Weep! Yes, sir, so who? replied Jumbo, mimicking the interpreter and going off with a vociferous laugh at his little joe in which he was joined by his sable clansman, Masiko and Zombo. Hymns got enough of Impodidens, said the interpreter, as he bustled about his avocations. He's not the only one that's got more than enough Impodidens, said Disco, pushing a fine straw down the stem of his cutty to make a draw better. I say, Tony, our regardless seaman had already thus mutilated his name. You seem to have plenty livestock in them parts. Plenty vat inquired the interpreter with the perplexed expression. Why, plenty birds and beasts, livestock we calls it, meaning thereby living creeders. He pointed towards an opening in the mangroves through which were visible the neighboring mud and salt flats, swarming with wild fowl and conspicuous among which were large blocks of pelicans who seemed to be gorging themselves comfortably from an apparently inexhaustible supply of fish in the pools left by the receding tide. Oh yes, me perceived, yes, plenty bird and beast, fishes too, and crops, look there. He pointed to a part of the sands nearest to their encampment which appeared to be alive with some small creatures. That's curious, said Disco, removing his pipe and regarding the phenomenon with some interest. No tank chorus, it's quabs, replied Antonio. Crabs is it, said Disco, rising and sauntering down to the sands, for he possessed an inquiring mind with a special tendency to investigate the habits. Franks, as he called them, of the lower animals which in other circumstances might have made him a naturalist. Muddering to himself, he was fond of muttering to himself, it felt companionable. Curious, very curious, quite strodenary, he crept steadily to the edge of the mangroves and there discovered that the sands were literally alive with myriads of minute crabs which were actively engaged, it was supposed by those who ought to know best, in gathering their food. The moment the tide ebbed from any part of the sands, out came these crablets in swarms and set to work, busy as bees, plowing up the sand and sifting it, apparently for food, until the whole flat was rendered rough by their incessant labors. Approaching cautiously, Disco observed that each crab, as he went along sideways, gathered a round bit of moist sand at its mouth which was quickly brushed away by one of his claws and replaced by another and another as fast as they could be brushed aside. Eating sand they are, muttered Disco in surprise, but presently the improbability of sand being very nutritious food, even for crabs, forced itself on him and he muttered his conviction that they was scraven for vitals. Having watched the crabs a considerable time and observed that they frequently interrupted their labors to dart suddenly into their holes and out again for the purpose he conjectured of having to drop a summit to wet their whistles, Disco thrust to cutty into his vest pocket and walked a little further out on the flat in the hope of discovering some new objects of interest, nor was he disappointed. Besides finding that the pools left by the tides swarmed with varieties of little fish, many of them being courious, he was fortunate enough to witness a most surprising combat. It happened thus. Perceiving a little to his right, some small creature hopping about on the sand near to a little pool, he turned aside to observe it more closely. On his drawing near, the creature jumped into the pool. Disco advanced to the edge, gazing intently into the water and saw nothing except his own reflected image at the bottom. Presently the creature reappeared. It was a small fish, a familiar fish too, which he had known in the pools of his native land by the name of Blenny. As the Blenny appeared to wish to approach the edge of the pool, Disco retired and placing a hand on each knee stooped in order to make himself as small as possible. He failed. The diminution in his height being fully counterbalanced by the latitudinal extension of his elbows. Presently the Blenny put its head out of the water and looked about. We speak advisedly. The Blenny is altogether a singular and exceptional fish. It can and does look sidewise, upwards and downwards with its protruding eyes as knowingly and with as much vivacity as if it were a human being. This power in a fish has something of the same awesome effect on an observer as might possibly result were a horse to raise its head and smile at him. Seeing that the coast was clear where Disco stood as motionless as a mangrove tree, the Blenny hopped upon the dry land. The African Blenny is a sort of amphibious animal living nearly as much out of the water as in it. Indeed it's busiest time we are told, note, see Dr. Livingston's Zambisi and its tributaries, page 843. End of note. Is that low water when by means of its factorial fins it crawls out on the sand and raises itself into something of a standing attitude with its bright eyes keeping a sharp look out for the light colored flies on which it feeds. For several seconds Disco gazed at the fish and the fish gazed around even turning its head a little as well as its eyes on this side and on that. Presently a small fly with that giddy heatlessness which characterizes the race, alighted about two inches in front of Blenny's nose. Instantly the fish leaped that vast space, alighted with its underset mouth just over the fly which immediately rose into it and was in tune. Brave Voh passed through Disco's brain but no sound issued from his lips. Presently another of the giddy ones alighted in front of Blenny about a foot distant. This appeared to be much beyond his leaping powers or with a slow, stealthy motion like a cat. He began deliberately to stalk his victim. The victim appeared to be blind for it took no notice of the approaching monster. Blenny displayed marvelous powers of self control or he moved on steadily without accelerating his speed until within about two inches of his prey. Then he leapt as before and another fly was in tune. Well done exclaimed Disco mentally but still his lips and body were motionless as before. At this point an enemy in the shape of another Blenny appeared on the scene. It came up out of a small pool close at hand and seemed to covet the first Blenny's pool and a set about taking possession of it as naturally as if it had been the human being. Poor observing no doubt that its neighbor was visibly engaged it moved quietly in the direction of the coveted pool. Being a very little fish it was not observed by Disco but it was instantly noticed by the first Blenny which being rather the smaller of the two we shall style the little one. Suddenly big Blenny threw off all disguise bound it towards the pool which was about a foot square and plunged in. No mortal Blenny could witness this unwarrantable invasion of its hearth and home without being served in dignity wrath. With eyes that seemed to flash fire and dorsal fin bristling up with rage little Blenny made five tremendous leaps of full three inches each and disappeared. Another moment and a miniature storm ruffled the pool for a few seconds the heavings of the deep were awful. Then out jumped big Blenny and tried to flee but out jumped little Blenny and caught him by the tail. Round turned the big one and caught the other by the jaw. Hello Disco breakfast ready where are you? shouted Harold from the woods. Disco replied not. It is a question whether he heard the hail at all. So engrossed was he in this remarkable fight. Brave though he exclaimed aloud when little Blenny took his big enemy off and rolled him over cleverly done. He shouted when big Blenny with a dark took refuge in the pool. I noted he cried approvingly when little Blenny forced him a second time to evacuate the premises. Go in and win little one thought Disco. Thus the battle raged furiously now in the water now on the sand while the excited seaman danced around the combatants both of whom appeared to have become deaf and blind with rage and gave them strong encouragement mingled with appropriate advice and applause. In fact Disco's delight would have been perfect had the size of the belligerence admitted of his padding the little Blenny on the back but this of course was out of the question. At last having struck worried bitten and chased each other by land and sea for several minutes these pugnacious creatures seized each other by their respective throats like two bulldogs and fell exhausted on the sand. It's a draw exclaimed Disco rather disappointed. No taint he said as little Blenny reviving rose up and renewed the combat more furiously than ever but it was soon ended her big Blenny suddenly turned and fled to his own pool. Little Blenny did not crow. He did not even appear to be elated. He evidently felt that he had been called on to perform a disagreeable but unavoidable duty and deemed it quite unnecessary to wave banners, fire guns or ring bells in celebration of his victory as he dived back into his pool amid the ringing cheers of Disco Lillehammer. Upon my word if you have not gone stark mad you must have had a sunstroke said Harold coming forward. What's the matter? Too late, too late cried Disco in a mingled tone of amusement and regret. Do you think it is? Are you incurable already? asked his friend. Too late to see the most astonishing scrimmage I ever did behold in my life said Disco. The description of this scrimmage gave the worthy seam in a subject for conversation and food for meditation during the greater part of the time spent over the morning meal and there is no saying how long he would have kept referring to and chuckling over it to the great admiration and sympathy of the black fellows whom are as a race excessively fond of jocularity and fun had not another of the denizens of the mangrove jungle diverted his attention and thoughts rather suddenly. This was a small monkey which seated on a branch overhead peered at the breakfast party from among the leaves with an expression of inquiry and a boundless astonishment that it is quite impossible to describe. Surprise of the most sprightly nature, if we may say so, sat enthroned on that small monkey's countenance. An expression which was enhanced by the creature's motions for not satisfied with taking a steady look at the intruders from the right side of a leaf it thrust forward its little black head on the left side of it and then under it by way of variety but no additional light seemed to result from these changes in the point of observation for the surprise did not diminish. In one of its intense stares it caught the eye of disco. The seaman's jaws stopped as if suddenly locked and his eyes opened to their widest. The monkey seemed to feel uneasily that it had attracted attention for it showed the smallest possible glimpse of its teeth. The action coupled with the leafy shadows which fell on its countenance had the effect of a smile which caused disco to burst into a loud laugh and point upwards. To bound from its position to a safer retreat and then stare at disco with deep indignation and a threatening display of all its teeth and gums in addition to its looks of surprise was the work of a moment on the part of a small monkey where at disco burst into a renewed roar of laughter in which he was joined by the whole party. Are there many of them fellows hereabouts? Inquired the seaman of Antonio. Oh yes, lots of them, thousands everywhere. See, there are more. He pointed to another part of the embracious canopy overhead where the face of a still smaller monkey was visible engaged like the previous one in an earnest scrutiny of the party but with a melancholy rather than a surprised expression of visage. What a miserable brokenhearted thing said disco grinning in which act he was immediately copied by the melancholy monkey though from different motives. Disco was very fond of monkeys. All his life he had felt a desire to pat and fondle those shivering creatures which he had been accustomed to see on barrel organs in his native land and the same strong impulse came over him now. What a pity the critters smell so bad and ain't cleanly he remarked gazing affectionately up among the leaves they'd make such capital pets why there's another. This remark had reference to a third monkey of large dimensions and fierce countenance which at that moment rudely thrust the melancholy monkey aside and took its place. The latter with a humble air and action took up a new position somewhat nearer to the fire where its sad countenance was more distinctly seen. Well, it does seem a particularly sourful monkey that said Harold laughing as he helped himself to another can full of tea. The most miserable object I ever did see observed disco the Negroes looked at each other and laughed. They were accustomed to monkeys and took little notice of them but they were mightily tickled by disco's amusement for he had laid down his knife and fork and shook a good deal with internal chuckling as he gazed upwards. One would suppose now he said softly that it had recently seen its father and mother and all its brothers and sisters removed by a violent death or sold into slavery. Ha, they never see that said Harold. The brutes may fight and kill but they never enslave each other. It is the proud prerogative of man to do that. That's true, sir. Worse luck as Patty says rejoined disco. But look there, what's them courious things round the creeders waist? A pair of the very smallest hands and hello, a face no bigger than a button. I do believe that it's. Disco did not finish the sentence but he was right. The small melancholy monkey was a mother. Probably that was the cause of its sorrow. It is a touching thought that anxiety for its tiny offspring perhaps had furrowed that monkey's visage with the wrinkles of premature old age. That danger threatened it on every side was obvious. For no sooner had it taken up its new position after its unceremonious ejection by the fierce monkey than the sprightly monkey before referred to conceived a plot which it immediately proceeded to carry into execution. Observing that the tail of the sad one hung down in a clear space below the branch on which it sat, the sprightly fellow quickly but with intense caution and silence crept towards it and when within a yard or so sprang into the air and caught the tail. A wild shriek and what disco styled a scrimmage ensued during which the mother monkey gave chase to him of the lively visage using her arms, legs and tail promiscuously to grasp and hold onto branches and leaving her extremely little one to look out for itself. This it seemed quite capable of doing. For no limpet ever stuck to a solid rock with greater tenacity than did that infront to the maternal waist throughout the chase. The hubbub appeared to startle the whole monkey race revealing the fact that troops of other monkeys had unobserved been gazing at the strangers in silent wonder since the time of their landing. Pleasant, however, though this state of things undeniably was, it could not be expected to last. Breakfast being concluded, it became necessary that disco should tear himself from the spot which, having first solaced himself with a pipe, he did with a good grace remarking as he reembarked and took the helm of his canoe that he had got more powerful surprises that morning than he had ever before experienced in any previous twelve month of his life. Before long he received many more surprises, especially one of a very different and much less pleasant nature, an account of which will be found in the next chapter. End of chapter five, recording by Tom Weiss, tomsaudiobooks.com. Chapter six of Black Ivory by R. M. Valentine. This LibreBox recording is in the public domain. Chapter six describes several new and surprising incidents which must be read to be fully appreciated. To travel with one's mouth and eyes open to nearly their utmost width in a state of surprise stupefaction may be unavoidable, but it cannot be said to be either becoming or convenient. Attention in such a case is apt to be diverted from the business in hand, and flies have a tendency to emulate themselves in the throat. Nevertheless inconvenient though the condition was, our friend Disco Lillahammer was so afflicted with astonishment at what he heard and saw in this new land that he was constantly engaged in swallowing flies and running his canoe among shallows and rushes, in so much that he at last resigned to steering ore until familiarity with present circumstances should tone him down to a safe condition of equanimity. And no wonder that Disco was surprised, no wonder that his friend Harold Seedriff shared in his astonishment and delight, for they were at once and for the first time in their lives plunged into the very heart of jungle life in equatorial Africa. Those who have never wandered far from the comparatively tame regions of our temperate zone can form but a faint conception of what it is to ramble in the tropics, and therefore can scarcely be expected to sympathize fully with the mental condition of our heroes as they ascended the Zambezi. Everything was so thoroughly strange, sights and sounds so vastly different from what they had been accustomed to see and hear, that it seemed as though they had landed on another planet. Trees, shrubs, flowers, birds, beasts, insects and reptiles, all were unfamiliar, except indeed one or two of the more conspicuous trees and animals, which had been so imprinted on their minds by means of nursery picture books that, on first beholding them, Disco unconsciously paid these books the compliment of saying that the animals was uncommon like the pictures. Disco's mental condition may be said for the first two or three days to have been one of gentle ever-flowing surprise, studded thickly with little bursts of keen astonishment. The first part of the river ran between mangrove jungle in regard to which he remarked that them their trees had legs like crabs, in which observation he was not far wrong, for when the tide was out, the roots of the mangroves rose high out of the mud, forming supports as it were for the trees to stand on. But it was the lugurience of the vegetation that made the most powerful impression on the travelers. It seemed as if the various groups and families of the vegetable kingdom had been worn by the sun into a state of unwanted affection, for everything appeared to entertain the desire to twine round and embrace everything else. One magnificent screw-palm in particular was so overwhelmed by affectionate parasites that his natural shape was almost entirely concealed. Others of the trees were decked with orchilla weed. There were ferns so gigantic as to be almost worthy of being styled trees, and palm bushes so sprawling as to suggest the idea of huge vegetable spiders. Bright yellow fruit gleamed among the graceful green leaves of the mangroves, while date palms gave variety to the scene, if that had been needed, which it was not, and masses of embracious plants with large yellow flowers grew along the banks, while down among the underwood giant roots rose in fantastic convolutions above ground as if the earth were already too full, and there wasn't room for the whole of them. There was an antediluvian magnificence, a prehistoric snakeiness, a sort of primeval running deceitness, which filled Harold and Disko with feelings of awe and induced a strange, almost unnatural tendency to regard Adam and Eve as their contemporaries. Animal life was not wanting in this paradise. Frequently did our seamen give vent to, hello, there they go. Look out for the little one with a long tail and similar expressions referring, of course, to his favorite monkeys, whichever and anon peered out upon the strangers with looks of intensity, for whatever their expression might be, sadness, grief, interrogation, wrath, surprise, it was always in the superlative degree. There were birds also innumerable. One styled the king-hunter, sang wild exultant airs, as if it found king-hunting to be an extremely exhilarating occupation, though what sort of kings it hunted, we cannot tell. Perhaps it was the king of beasts. Perhaps the kingfisher, a bright specimen of which was frequently seen to dart out from the banks, but we profess ignorance on this point. There were fish-hawks also, magnificent fellas which sat in regal dignity on the tops of the mangrove trees and the glossy ibis with others of the feather tribe too numerous to mention. Large animals also were there in abundance, though not so frequently seen as those which have been already mentioned. Disco occasionally made known the fact that such or something unusual had transpired by the sudden and violent exclamation of what's that in a voice so loud that that whatever it might be sometimes bolded or took to flight before anyone else caught sight of it. Hello, he exclaimed on one such occasion as the canoes turned a bend of the river. What now, demanded Harold, looking at his companion to observe the direction of his eyes. I'm a Dutchman, exclaimed Disco in a horse whisper that might have been heard half a mile off, if it's not a zebra. So it is, my rifle looks sharp, said Harold eagerly. The weapon was handed to him, but before it could be brought to bear, the beautiful striped creature had tossed its head, snorted, whisked its tail, kicked up its heels, and dashed into the jungle. Give way, lads, let's after him shout at Disco, turning the canoe's bow to shore. Hold on, cried Harold, you might as well go after a needle in a haystack or a locomotive. So I might, admitted Disco, with a mortified air resuming his course, but it ain't in no reason to expect a feller to keep quiet when he sees one of the very pictures of his childhood, so to speak, come alive and kick up its heels like that. Buffaloes were also seen in the grassy glades, but it proved difficult to come within range of them. Also, wart hogs and three different kinds of antelope. Of these last Harold shot several, and they were found to be excellent food. Human beings were also observed, but those first encountered fled at the sight of the white men, as if they had met with their worst foes, and such was in very truth the case, if we may regard the Portuguese half-casts of that coast as white men, for these negroes were runaway slaves who stood the chance of being shot or drowned or whipped to death, if recaptured. Other animals they saw, some queer, some terrible, nearly all strange, and last, though not least, the hippopotamus. When Disco first saw this ungainly monster, he was bereft of speech for some minutes. The usual, hello, stuck in his throat, and well-nigh choked him. He could only gasp and point. I, there goes a hippopotamus, said Harold, with the easy nonchalance of a man who had been to the zoological gardens, and knew all about it. Nevertheless, it was quite plain that Harold was much excited, for he almost dropped his oar overboard in making a hasty grasp at his rifle. Before he could fire, the creature gaped wide, as if in laughter, and dived. Unfortunate, said Harold, in a philosophically careless tone, never mind, we shall see lots more of them. Ugliness embodied, said Disco, heaving a deep sigh. But him's good for eat, said Antonio, smacking his lips. Is he? demanded Disco of Jumbo, whose enjoyment of the sailor's expressive looks was so great that, whenever the latter opened his lips, the former looked back over his shoulder with a broad grin of expectation. Oh, yes, the hippopotamus and first-rate grub for this year boy, replied the negro, rolling his red tongue inside his mouth, suggestively. He never eats man, does he? inquired Disco. Never, replied Antonio. He looks as if he might return the semen. Anyhow, he's got a mouth big enough to do it. You're quite sure he don't, I suppose. Quite sure and certain, but me have seen him, tack-mans, said Antonio. Tack-mans, what do you mean by that? Tack him, repeated Antonio. Go at him's canoe or boat, bump with him's head, dash in the timbers, capsize, so as man have to swim shore, all has got clear of the crocodiles. While Disco was meditating on this unpleasant trait of character in the hippopotamus, the specimen which they had just seen, or some other member of his family, having compassion no doubt on the semen's ignorance, proceeded to illustrate its method of attack, then and there, by suddenly rising under the canoe with such force that its head and shoulders shot high out of the water, into which it fell with a heavy splash. Harold's rifle being ready, he fired just as it was disappearing. Whether he hit it or not is uncertain, but next moment the enraged animal rose again under Disco's canoe, which it nearly lifted out of the water in its efforts to seize it in its mouth. Fortunately the canoe was too flat for its jaws to grip. The monster's blunt teeth were felt as well as heard to grind across the planks, and Disco, being in the stern, which was raised highest, was almost thrown overboard by the jerk. Rising about two yards off, the hippopotamus looked savagely at the canoe, and was about to dive again when Harold gave it a second shot. The large gun, being fortunately ready, had been handed to him by one of the Macalolo men. The heavy ball took effect behind the eye, and killed the animal almost instantaneously. The hippopotamus usually sinks when shot dead, but in this case they were so near that, before it had time to sink, Zombo, assisted by his friend Jumbo, made a line fast to it, and it was finally dragged to the shore. The landing, however, was much retarded by the crocodiles, which now showed themselves for the first time, and kept tugging and worrying the carcass much as a puppy tugs and worries a lady's muff, affording Disco and his friend strong reason to congratulate themselves that the canoe had not been overturned. The afternoon was pretty well advanced when the landing was accomplished on a small sandy island, and as the spot was suitable for encamping, they determined to remain there for the night and feast. There are many points of resemblance between savage and civilized festivities. Whether the performers be the Black Sons of Africa or the White Fathers of Europe, there is the same powerful tendency to eat too much, and the same display of good fellowship. For it is an indisputable fact that feeding man is amiable, unless indeed he be dispeptic. There are also, however, various points of difference. The savage owing to the amount of fresh air and exercise which he is compelled to take, usually eats with greater appetite and knows nothing of equine dreams or sleepless nights. On the whole, we incline to the belief that, despite his lack of refinement and ceremony, the savage has the best of it in this matter. Disco Lillehammer's visage, during the progress of that feast, formed a study worthy of a physiognomist. Every new achievement, whether trifling or important, performed by the Macalolo Triad, Jumbo, Zombo, and Massico, every fresh hippopotamus steak skewered and set up to roast by the half-caste brothers Jose and Oliveira, every lick bestowed on their greasy fingers by the Somali Negroes, Nicoda and Conda, and every sign of intense satisfaction heaved by the so-called freemen of Quilomane, Zungolo, and Mabruki was watched, commented on, and if we may say so, reflected in the animated countenance of the stealth semen with such variety of expression and such an interesting compound of grin and wrinkle that poor Jumbo who gazed at him over hippopotamus ribs and steak and tried hard not to laugh was at last compelled to turn away his eyes in order that his mouth might have fair play. But wonderful, sumptuous, and every way satisfactory though that feast was, it bore no comparison whatever to another feast carried on at the same time by another party about fifty yards off where the carcass of the hippopotamus had been left half in and half out of the water for of course being fully more than a ton in weight only a small portion of the creature was appropriated by the canoe men. The Negroes paid no attention whatever to this other festive party but in a short time Disco turned his head to one side and said why what's that splash and I hear is going on over there. I suspect it must be some beast or other that has got hold of the carcass replied Harold who was himself busy with a portion of the same. Yes, dead m cluck of deals got him said Antonio with his mouth full very full. You don't say so said Disco washing down the stake with the brimming cup of tea. No one appeared to think it worthwhile to acervate the fact for it was self-evident. Several crocodiles were supping and in doing so they tore away at the carcass with such violence and lashed the water so frequently with their powerful tails as to render it clear that their feasts necessitated laborious effort and seemed less a recreation than a duty. Moreover, they sat at their meat like insatiable gourmands so long into the night that supper became transmuted into breakfast and Harold's rest was greatly disturbed thereby. He was too sleepy and lazy however to rise and drive them away. Next morning the travelers started early being anxious to pass as quietly as possible a small Portuguese town near to which it was said a party of runaway slaves and rebels against the government were engaged in making depredations. When Grey Dawn was beginning to rise above the treetops they left their encampment in profound silence and rode upstream as swiftly as possible. They had not advanced far when on turning a point covered with tall reeds Zombo who was bowman in the leading canoe suddenly made a sign to the men to cease rowing. What's the matter? whispered Harold. The negro pointed through the reeds and whispered the single word canoe. By this time the other canoe had ranged up alongside and after a brief consultation between Harold and Disco it was decided that they should push gently into the reeds and wait till a strange canoe should pass. But a few seconds suffice to show that the two men who paddled it did not intend to pass down the river for they pushed straight out towards the deepest part of the stream. They were however carried down so swiftly by the current that they were brought quite near to the point of rushes where our travelers lay concealed so near that their voices could be distinctly heard. They talked in Portuguese. Antonio muttered a few words and Harold observed that there was a good deal of excitement in the looks of his men. What's the matter? he asked anxiously. Antonio shook his head. That nigger going to be drowned it, he said. Bad nigger. Obstropolis nigger. Spose. What? explained Disco in a whisper. Going to be drowned it? What do you mean? Antonio proceeded to explain that it was a custom amongst the Portuguese slave owners there when they found any of their slaves intractable or refractory to hire some individuals who, for a small sum, would bind and carry off the incorrigible for the purpose of making away with him. One method of affecting this was to tie him in a sack and throw him into the river, the crocodiles making quite sure that the unfortunate being should never again be seen, either alive or dead. But before Antonio had finished his brief explanation he was interrupted by an exclamation from the horrified Englishmen, as they beheld the two men in the canoe raise something between them which for a moment appeared to struggle violently. Shove off, give way, shouted Harold and Disco in the same breath, each thrusting with his paddle so vigorously that the two canoes shot out like arrows into the stream. At the same instant there was a heavy plunge in the water beside the strange canoe and the victim sank. Next moment one end of the sack rose to the surface. Both Harold and Disco made straight towards it but it sank again and the two murderers paddled to the shore on which they drew up their canoe intending to take to the bush if necessary for safety. Once again the sack rose not more than three yards from Disco's canoe. The bold seaman knew that if it disappeared a third time there would be little chance of its rising again. He was prompt in action and daring to recklessness. In one moment he had leaped overboard, dived, caught the sack in his powerful grasp and bore it to the surface. The canoe had been steered for him. The instant he appeared strong and ready hands laid hold of him and his burden and dragged them both inboard. Cut the lashes and give him air, cried Disco, endeavoring to find his classmate. But one of the men quickly obeyed the order and opened the sack. A groan of horror and pity burst from the seaman when he beheld the almost insensible form of a powerful negro whose back was lacerated with innumerable ragged cuts and covered with clotted blood. Where are the—he stopped short on look and round and observing that the two men were standing on the shore seized the double-barreled gun. The stream had carried the canoe a considerable distance below the spot where the murder had been attempted, but they were still within range. Without a moment's hesitation Disco took deliberate aim at them and fired. Fortunately for him and his party Disco was a bad shot. Nevertheless the bullets dropped so close to the feet of the two men that it drove the sand and pebbles into their faces. They turned it once and fled, but before they reached the cover of the bushes the second barrel was fired and the bullet whistled close enough over their heads greatly to accelerate their flight. The negroes opened their great round eyes and appeared awestruck at this prompt display of a thirst for vengeance on the part of one who had hitherto shown no other disposition than hilarity, fun, and good humor. Harold was greatly relieved to observe Disco's failure, for if he had hit either of the fugitives the consequences might have been very disastrous to their expedition. On being partially revived and questioned it turned out that the poor fellow had been whipped almost to death for refusing to be the executioner in whipping his own mother. This was a refinement in cruelty on the part of these professently Christian Portuguese, which our travelers afterwards learned was by no means uncommon. We are told by those who know that region well and whose veracity is unquestionable that the Portuguese on the east coast of Africa live in constant dread of their slaves rising against them. No wonder considering the fiendish cruelties to which they subject them. In order to keep them in subjection they underfeed them, and if any of them venture to steal coconuts from the trees the owners thereof are at liberty to shoot them and throw them into the sea. Slaves being cheap there and plentiful are easily replaced hence a cruel owner never hesitates. If a slave is refractory and flogging only makes him worse his master bids the overseer flog him until he will require no more. Still further to keep them in subjection the Portuguese then endeavor to eradicate from them all sympathy with each other and all natural affection by the following means. If a woman requires to be flogged her brother or son is selected to do it. Fathers are made to flog their daughters husbands their wives and if two young negroes of different sexes are observed to show any symptoms of growing attachment for each other these two are chosen for each other's executioners. Note Sea travels in eastern Africa by Lyons MacLeod Esquire, FRGS and late her Britannic Majesties Council at Mozambique, volume 1, pages 274 to 277 and volume 2, page 27. End of note. The poor wretch whom we have just described as having been saved from death to which he had been doomed for refusing to become the executioner of his own mother was placed as tenderly and comfortably as circumstances would admit of in the bottom of the canoe and none our travelers pushed on with all haste anxious to pass the town before the two fugitives could give the alarm. They were successful in this probably because the two men may have hid themselves for some time in the jungle under the impression that the exasperated Englishman might be searching for them on shore. Giving themselves time only to take a hurried meal in the middle of the day our travelers rode continuously till sunset when deeming it probable that pursuit, if undertaken at all, must have been abandoned they put ashore on the right bank of the river and encamped. When the sufferer had been made as comfortable as circumstances would allow for he was much weakened by loss of blood as well as agonized with pain and after he had been refreshed with food and some warm tea Harold questioned him through the interpreter as to his previous history. At first the man was brusque in his manner and inclined to be sulky for a long course of cruelty had filled him with an intense hatred of white men. Indeed an embittered and desperate spirit had begun to induce callous indifference to all men whether white or black. But kind treatment to which he was evidently unaccustomed and generous diet which was obviously new to him had a softening influence and when Harold poured a small glass of rum into his tea and Antonio added a lump of sugar and disco pressed him tenderly to drink it of which he did the effect was very decided. The settled scowl on his face became unsettled and gradually melting away was replaced by a milder and more manly look. By degrees he became communicative and bit by bit his story was drawn from him. It was brief but very sorrowful. His name he said was Chimbolo. He belonged to a tribe which lived far inland beyond the Manganja country which latter was a country of hills. He was not a Manganja man, but he had married a Manganja woman. One night he with his wife and mother was paying a visit to the village of his wife's relations when a band of slave hunters suddenly attacked the village. They were armed with guns and at once began to murder the old people and capture the young. Resistance was useless. His relatives were armed only with bows and spears being taken by surprise they all fled in terror but were pursued and few escaped. His wife he said and a scowl of terrible ferocity crossed Chimbolo's face as he said it was about to become a mother at the time. He seized her in his arms on the first alarm and fled with her into the bush where he concealed her and then hurried back to aid his relations but met them old and young strong and feeble flying for their lives. It was not possible to rally them. He therefore joined in the flight. While running a bullet grazed his head and stunned him. Presently he recovered and rose but in a few minutes was overtaken and captured. A slave stick was put on his neck and along with a number of mangangja men women and children he was driven down to the coast and sold with a number of other men and women among whom was his own mother to a portuguese merchant on the coast near the east wava mouth of the Zambezi. There he was found to be of a rebellious spirit and at last on positively refusing to lash his mother his master ordered him to be whipped to death but changing his mind before the order had been quite carried out he ordered him to be bound hand and foot and taken away in a sack. As to his wife he had never heard of her since that night which was about two years past. He knew that she had not been found because he had not seen her amongst the other captives. If they had found her they would have been sure to carry her off because here Chambolo's visage again grew diabolical. She was young he said and beautiful. When all this had been translated into bad english by Antonio Harold asked if Chambolo thought it probable that his wife was still alive in the mangangja highlands. To this the former said that he thought it likely. Why then said Disco giving his right thigh a powerful slap which was his favorite method of emphasizing a remark. What do you say sir to lay our course for these same highlands and try four to find out this poor critter. Just what was running in my own mind Disco said Harold musing over his supper. It does not make much difference what part of this country we go to being all new to us and as Antonio tells me the mangangja highlands are up the Shire river which was explored by Dr Livingston not long ago and is not distant many days journey from this. I think we can't do better than go there. We shall have a good as well as a definite object in view. Very good sir I'm agreeable return Disco reaching forth his pewter plate another hunk of that Potamus jumbo it's better than salt junk any day and I say jumbo don't grin so much else you enlarge your pretty little mouth which would be a pity. Yes sir replied jumbo becoming very grave all of a sudden but on receiving a nod and an expressive wink from the seaman he exploded again and rolled backward on the grass in the performance of which act he capsized Zumbos can of tea whereupon Zumbo leaped upon him in wrath and Massico as in duty bound came to the rescue clap a stopper on your noise will he cried Disco sternly else you'll be bringing all the wild beast in these parts down on us to see what it's all about that reminds me said Harold when quiet was restored that we must now organize ourselves into something of a fighting band a company as it were of soldiers and take our regular spell of watching by night for from all that I hear of the disturbed state of the country just now with these runaway slaves and rebels it will be necessary to be on our guard of course he at its smiling I suppose I must be captain of the company and you disco shall be lieutenant not at all replied the seaman shaking his head and frowning at jumbo whose brilliant teeth at once responded to the glance not at all none of your sojourn from me I never could abide the lobsters first mate sir that's what I am if I'm to be expected do my duty well then first mate be it rejoin Harold and Antonio shall be sergeant major bozan and bozan and suggested disco keep up appearance whatever ye do and don't let the memory assault water go down very good said Harold laughing then you shall be bozan Antonio as well as cook and I will instruct you in the first part of your duty which will be to keep watch for an hour while the rest of us sleep my first mate will teach you the whistling part of a bozan's duty if that should be required ah and the roar interrupted disco a bozan would be nothing without his roar at that moment the woods around them were filled with a tremendous and very unexpected roar which caused the whole party to spring up and induce the new bozan to utter a yell of terror that would have done credit to the whistle of the most violent bozan on the sea next moment the travelers were surrounded by a large and excited fan of armed negroes and of chapter six recording by tom weiss toms audiobooks dot com chapter seven of black ivory by r m valentine this lever box recording is in the public domain chapter seven enemies are changed into friends are travelers penetrate into the interior of the land to possess the power of looking perfectly calm and unconcerned when you are in reality considerably agitated and rather anxious is extremely useful in any circumstances but especially so when one happens to be in the midst of grinning gesticulating naked savages our hero herald sea drift possessed that power in an eminent degree and his first mate disco lila hammer was not a wit behind him although both had started abruptly to their legs at the first alarm and drawn their respected revolvers they no sooner found themselves surrounded by overwhelming numbers than they lowered their weapons and turning back to back faced the intruders with calm countenances sit down men every one of you except antonio said harold in a quiet but clear and decided voice his men who having left their guns in the canoe were utterly helpless quietly obeyed who are you and what do you want demanded antonio by harold's order to this a tall negro who was obviously the leader of the band replied in the native tongue it matters little who we are you are in our power not quite said harold slightly removing his revolver tell them that he may overcome us but before he does so my friend and I carried the lives of 12 of his men in our pistols the negro chief who quite understood the powers of a revolver replied tell your master that before he could fire two shots he and his friend would have each 12 bullets in his body but I have not time to palaver here who are you and where are you going we are Englishmen traveling to see the country replied harold the chief looked doubtfully at him and seemed to waver then suddenly making up his mind he frowned and said sternly no that is a lie you are portuguese scoundrels you shall all die you have robbed us of our liberty our wives our children our homes you have chained and tortured and flogged us he gnashed his teeth at this point and his followers grew excited now we have got free and you are caught we will let you know what it is to be slaves as the negro chief stirred up his wrath by thus recounting his wrongs and advanced a step harold begged disco in a low urgent voice not to raise his pistol then looking the savage fool in the face without showing a trace of anxiety he said you are wrong we are indeed Englishmen and you know that the English detests slavery and would if they could put a stop to it all together yes I know that said the chief we have seen one Englishman here and he has made us to know that not all men with white faces are devils like the Portuguese and Arabs but how am I to know you are English again the chief wavered a little as if half inclined to believe harold statement here is proof for you said harold pointing to chimbolo who being scarcely able to move had remained all this time beside the fire leaning on his elbow and listening intently to the conversation see he continued that is a slave look at him as he said this harold stepped quickly forward and removed the blanket with which he had covered his lacerated back after dressing it a howl of execution burst from the band of negroes who pointed their spears and guns at the traveler's breasts and would have made a speedy end of the whole party if Antonio had not exclaimed speak chimbolo speak the slave looked up with animation and told the rebels how his Portuguese owner had ordered him to be flogged to death but changed his mind and doomed him to be drowned how that in the nick of time these white men had rescued him and had afterwards treated him with the greatest kindness chimbolo did not say much but what he did say was uttered with emphasis and feeling this was enough those who would have been enemies were suddenly converted into warm friends and the desperados who would have torn their former masters or any of their race limb from limb if they could have got hold of them left our adventurers undisturbed in their bivouac after wishing them a prosperous journey it was nevertheless deemed advisable to keep watch during the night this was done faithfully and conscientiously as far as it went Harold took the first hour by way of example he sat over the fire alternately gazing into its embers while he meditated of home and round upon the dark forest while he thought of Africa true to time he called disco who equally true to his sense of duty turned out at once with a deep eye eye sir the self-styled first mate placed his back against the tree and endeavoring to believe it to be a capstan or binnacle or any other object appertaining to the sea stared at the ghostly stems of the forest trees until they began to dance horn pipes for his special gratification or glowered at the shadows until they became instinct with life and all but induced him to rouse the camp 20 times in the course of his hour's vigil time to time also like his predecessor disco roused Antonio and immediately turned in the vivacious chef de cuisine started up at once took up his position at the foot of the tree which disco had just left leaned his back against it and straight away went to sleep in which condition he remained till morning leaving the camp in unprotected felicity and blissful ignorance fortunately for all parties disco awoke in time to catch him napping and resolve to punish him he crept steadily round to the back of the tree against which the faithless man leaned and reached gently round until his mouth was close to Antonio's cheek then collecting all the air that his vast lungs were capable of containing he poured into Antonio's ear a cumulative roar that through the camp and the denizens of the wilderness far and near into confusion and almost drove the whole marrow in Antonio's body out at his heels the stricken man sprang up as if earth had shot him forth uttered a yell of terror such as seldom greets the ear and rushed blindly forward repeating the roar disco plunged after him Antonio tumbled over the fire recovered himself dashed on and would certainly have plunged into the river if not into the jaws of a crocodile had not jumbo caught him in his arms in the midst of a chorus of laughter from the other men how jerry go to sleep on duty demanded disco seizing the culprit by the collar a we might have been all murdered by rebels or eaten by lions or had our eyes picked out by gorillas for all that you would have done to prevent it a giving him a shake oh pardon forgive never did it more again exclaimed the breathless and trembling Antonio you'd better not said disco giving him another shake and releasing him having done so he turned on his heel and bestowed a quiet look in passing on jumbo which of course threw that unfortunate man into convulsions after this little incident a hasty breakfast was taken the canoes were launched and the voyage was continued it is not necessary to trace the course of our explorers day by day as they ascend at the Zambezi or to recount all the adventures or misadventures that befell them on their journey into the interior it is sufficient for the continuity of our tale to say that many days after leaving the coast they turned into the shire river which flows into the Zambezi about 150 miles from the coast there are many fountain heads of slavery in Africa the region of the interior which gives birth to the headwaters of the shire river is one of the chief of these here lies the great lake Nyasa which was discovered and partly explored by dr. Livingston and hence flows a perennial stream of traffic to Kilwa on the coast which traffic at the present time consists almost exclusively of the two kinds of ivory white and black the former elephants tusk being carried by the latter slaves by which means the slave trade is rendered more profitable towards this populace and fertile region then our adventures directed their course when they turned out of the great river Zambezi and began to ascend the shire and here at the very outset of this part of the journey they met with a portuguese settler who did more to open their eyes to the blighting and withering influence of slavery on the land and on its people than anything they had yet seen towards the afternoon of the first day on the shire they landed near the encampment of the settler referred to who turned out to be a gentleman of a portuguese town on the Zambezi harold found to his delight that he could speak english fluently and was more over an exceedingly agreeable and well-informed man he was out at the time on a hunting expedition attended by a party of slaves harold spent the evening in a very pleasant intercourse with senior gamba and at a later hour than usual returned to his camp where he entertained disco with an account of his new acquaintance while thus engaged he was startled by the most appalling shrieks which proceeded from the neighboring encampment under the impression that something was wrong both he and disco leaped up and ran towards it there to his amazement and horror harold beheld his agreeable friend senior gamba thrashing a young slave unmercifully with a whip of the most formidable character only a few lashes from it had been given when harold ran up but these were so powerful that the unhappy victim dropped down in a state of insensibility just as he reached the spot the portuguese gentleman turned away from the prostrate slave with a scowl but betrayed a slight touch of confusion on meeting the gaze of harold c drift senior explained the latter sternly with mingle remonstrance and rebuke in his tone how can you be so cruel what has the boy done to merit such inhuman chastisement he has neglected my orders answered the portuguese as though he resented the tone in which harold spoke but surely surely said harold the punishment is far beyond the offense i can scarcely believe the evidence of my own eyes and ears when they tell me that you have been guilty of this come return senior gamba softening into a smile you english cannot understand our case in this land because you do not keep slaves you take the philanthropic the religious view of the question we who do keep slaves have a totally different experience you cannot understand you cannot sympathize with us no truly we cannot understand you said harold earnestly and god forbid that we should ever sympathize with you in this matter we detest the gross injustice of slavery and we have poor the fearful cruelties connected with it that is because as i have said you are not in our position rejoin the senior with a shrug of his shoulders it is easy for you to take the philanthropic view which however i admit to be the best for in the eyes of god all men are equal and though the african be a degraded man i know enough of him to be sure that he can be raised by kindness and religion into a position not very inferior to our own but we who keep slaves cannot help ourselves we must act as we do why so is cruelty a necessity as harold yes it is replied to senior decidedly then the abolition of slavery is a necessity to grau disco who had hitherto looked on and listened in silent wonder debating with himself as to the propriety of giving senior gamba then and there a sound crashing with his own whip you see continued the portuguese paying no attention to disco's growl you see in order to live out here i must have slaves and in order to keep slaves i must have a whip my whip is no worse than any other whip that i know of i don't justify it as right i simply defend it as necessary wherever slavery exist discipline must of necessity be brutal if you keep slaves and mean that they shall give you the labor of their bodies and of their minds also insofar as you permit them to have minds you must degrade them by the whip and by all other means at your disposal until like dogs they become the unhesitating servants of your will no matter what that may be and live for your pleasure only it will never pay me to adopt your philanthropic your religious views i am here i must be here what am i to do starve no not if i can help it i do as others do keep slaves and act as the master of slaves i must use the whip perhaps you won't believe me continued senior gamba with a sad smile but i speak truth when i say that i was tender hearted when i first came to this country for i had been well nurtured in lisbon but that soon passed away it could not last i was the laughing stock of my companions just to explain my position i will tell you a circumstance which happened soon after i came here the governor invited me to a party of pleasure the party consisted of himself his daughters some officers and others we were to go in boats to a favorite island resort several miles off i took one of my slaves with me a lad that i kept about my person as we were going along this land fell into the river he could not swim and the tide was carrying him fast away to death dressed as i was in full uniform i plunged in after him and saved him the wish alone to save the boy's life prompted me to risk my own and for this i became the jest of the party even the ladies twittered at my folly next evening the governor had a large dinner party i was there having caught cold i cost slightly this drew attention to me remarks were made and the governor alluded in scoffing terms to my exploit which created much mirth where you drunk said one had you lost your senses to risk your life for a root of a negro said another rather than spoil my uniform i would have knocked him on the head with a pole said a third and it was a long time before what they termed my folly was forgotten or forgiven you think i am worse than others i am not but i do not condescend to their hypocrisy what i am now i have been made by this country and its associates no these words are not fictitious the remarks of senor gamba were actually spoken by a portuguese slave owner and will be found in the story of the university's mission to central africa pages 64 65 and 66 end of note senor gamba said this with the air of one who thinks that he has nearly if not quite justified himself i am no worse than others is an excuse for evil conduct not altogether unknown in more highly favored lands and is often followed by the illogical conclusion therefore i am not to blame but although harrell felt pity for his agreeable chance acquaintance he could not admit that this explanation excused him nor could he get over the shock which his feelings had sustained it was therefore with comparatively little regret that he made him a dew on the following morning and pursued his onward way everywhere along the shire they met with a more or less hospitable reception from the natives who regarded them with great favor in consequence of their belonging to the same nation which had sent poor men to explore their country defend them from the slave dealer and teach them about the true god these men of whom mention is made in another chapter had sometime before this been sent by the church of england to the manganja highlands at the suggestion of doctor livingston and laid we believe the foundation stone of christian civilization in the interior of africa though god saw fit to arrest them in the raising of the superstructure among other pieces of useful knowledge conveyed by them to the negroes of the shire was the fact that englishmen are not cannibals and that they have no special longings after black man's stakes it may for a chance surprise some readers to learn that black men ever entertain such a preposterous notion nevertheless it is literally true the slavers arabs and portuguese find it in their interest to instill this also into the minds of the ignorant tribes of the interior from whom the slaves are gathered in order that their captives may entertain a salutary horror of englishmen so that if their dowes should be chased by our cruisers while creeping northward along the coast and run the risk of being taken the slaves may willingly aid their captors in trying to escape that the lesson has been well learned and thoroughly believed is proved by the fact that when a dow is obliged to run ashore to avoid capture the slaves invariably take to the woods on the wings of terror preferring no doubt to be re-enslaved rather than to be roasted and eaten by white fiends indeed so thoroughly has this been ingrained into the native mind that mothers frequently endeavor to overall their refractory offspring by threatening to hand them over to the dreadful white monster who will eat them up if they don't behave end of chapter seven recording by tom weiss toms audiobooks dot com chapter eight of black ivory by r m valentine this leverbox recording is in the public domain chapter eight relates adventures in the shire valley and touches on one or two phases of slavery everything depends upon taste as the monkey remarked when it took to nibbling the end of its own tail if you like a thing you take one view of it if you don't like it you take another view either view if detailed would be totally irreconcilable with the other the lower part of the river's shire into which our travelers had now entered is a vast swamp there are at least two opinions in regard to that region to do justice to those with whom we don't sympathize we give our opponents view first our opponent observe is an honest and competent man he speaks truly he only looks at it in another light from harold c drift and disco lillahammer he says of the river shire it drains a low and exceedingly fertile valley of from 15 to 20 miles in breath ranges of wooded hills bound this valley on both sides after the first 20 miles you come to mount morambala which rises with steep sides to 4 000 feet in height it is wooded to the top and very beautiful a small village peeps out about halfway up the mountain it has a pure bracing atmosphere and is perched above mosquito range the people on the summit have a very different climate and vegetation from those on the plains and they live amidst luxuriant vegetation there are many species of ferns some so large as to deserve the name of trees there are also lemon and orange trees growing wild and birds and animals of all kinds thus far we agree with our opponent but listen to him as he goes on the view from morambala is extensive but cheerless description swamp swamp reeking festering rotting malaria pregnant swamp where poisonous vapors for several months in the year are ever bulging up and out into the air lies before you as far as the eye can reach and farther if you enter the river at the worst seasons of the year the chances are you will take the worst type of fever if on the other hand you enter it during the best season when the swamps are fairly dried up you have everything in your favor now our opponent gives a true statement of facts undoubtedly but his view of them is not cheering contrast them with the view of disco lillahammer that sagacious seaman had entered the shire neither in the best nor the worst of the season he had chanced upon it somewhere between the two get up your steam and go long side he said the jumbo one afternoon as the two canoes were proceeding quietly among magnificent giant reeds sedges and bull rushes which towered high above them in some places overhung them i say mr harrell ain't it splendid magnificent replied harold with a look of quiet enthusiasm i does enjoy a swamp continued to seaman allowing a thin cloud to trickle from his lips so do i disco there's such a many outs and ins and roundabouts in it and such powerful recollections of them reeds in the quiet water why sir i do declare when i looks through them in a dreamy sort of way for a long time i get to fancy their palm trees and that we're sailing through a forest without no end to it and when i looks over the side and sees every reed standing on its other self so to speak and follows the under one down till my eyes get lost in the blue sky and clouds below us i do sometimes feel as if we got into the middle of fairyland was fairly afloat on the air and off on a voyage through the univars but it's them reflections as i like most every leaf and stalk and flag is just as good and real in the water as out of it and just look at that they're frog sir that one on the big leaf which has swell himself up as if he wanted to bust with his head looking up hopefully to the ah he's down with a plop like lead but he was sitting on his own image which was as clear as his own cell then there's so much variety sir that's where it is you never know what you're coming to in them swamps it may be an opening like a pretty lake with islands of reeds everywhere or it may be a narrow bit like a canal or a river or a bit so close that you go scraping the gunless on both sides and the life too is most amazing never saw nothing like it nowhere all kinds big and little plain and pretty queer and horrible swarms here to sitch an extent that i've got it into my head that this shire valley must be the great original nursery of animated nature it looks like a disco the last idea appeared to furnish food for reflection as the two friends here relapsed into silence although disco's description was quaint it could scarcely be styled exaggerated for the swamp was absolutely alive with animal life the principal occupant of these marshes is the elephant and hundreds of these monster animals may be seen in one herd feeding like cattle in a meadow owing to the almost impanetrable nature of the reedy jungle however it is impossible to follow them an anxious though disco was to kill one he failed to obtain a single shot buffalos and other large game were also numerous in this region and in the water crocodiles and hippopotamia sported about everywhere while aquatic birds of every shape and size rendered the air vocal with their cries sometimes these feathered denizens of the swamp arose when startled in a dense cloud so vast that the mighty rush of their wings was almost thunderous in character the crocodiles were not only numerous but dangerous because of their audacity they used to watch at the places where native women were in the habit of going down to the river for water and not on frequently succeeded in seizing a victim this however only happened at those periods when the shire was in flood when fish were driven from their wanted haunts and the crocodiles were reduced to a state of starvation and constant ferocity one evening while our travelers were proceeding slowly upstream they observed the corpse of a negro boy floating past the canoe just then a monstrous crocodile rushed at it with the speed of a greyhound caught it and shook it as a terrier does a rat others dashed at the prey each with this powerful tail causing the water to churn and froth as he tore off a piece in a few seconds all was gone note livingston zambezi and its tributaries page 452 and no that same evening zambo had a narrow escape after dusky ran down to the river to drink he chanced to go to a spot where a crocodile was watching it lay settled down in the mud with its head on a level with the water so that in the feeble light it could not be seen while zambo was busy lapping the water into his mouth it suddenly rushed at him and caught him by the hand the limb of a bush was fortunately within reach and he laid hold of it there was a brief struggle the crocodile tugged hard but the man tugged harder at the same time he uttered a yell which brought jumbo to his side with an oar a blow from which drove the hideous reptile away poor zambo was too glad to have escaped with his life to care much about the torn hand which rendered him or to come off for some time after that although disco failed to get a shot at an elephant his hopeful spirit was gratified by the catchy of a baby elephant alive it happened thus one morning not very long after zambo's tussle with the crocodile disco's canoe which chance to be in advance suddenly ran almost into the midst of a herd of elephants which were busy feeding on palm nuts of which they are very fond instantly the whole troop scattered and fled disco taken completely by surprise omitted his wanted hello as he made an awkward plunge at his rifle but before he could bring it to bear the animals were over the bank of the river and lost in the dense jungle but a fine little elephant at that period of life which in human beings might be styled the toddling age was observed to stumble while attempting to follow its mother of the bank it fell and rolled backwards give way for your lives roared disco the boat shot its bow on the bank and the seaman flew rather than leaped upon the baby elephant the instant it was laid hold of it began to scream with incessant and piercing energy after the fashion of a pig quick come in canoe mother come back for him cried jumbo in some anxiety disco at once appreciated the danger of the enraged mother returning to the rescue but resolved not to resign his advantage he seized the vicious little creature by the probiscus and dragged it by main force to the canoe into which he tumbled hauled the probiscus inboard as though it had been the bite of a cable and held on shove off shove off and give way lads look alive the order was promptly obeyed and in a few minutes the baby was dragged into the boat and secured this prize however was found to be more of a nuisance than an amusement and it was soon decided that it must be disposed of accordingly that very night much to the regret of the men who wanted to make a meal of it disco led his baby squealing into the jungle and set it free with a hearty slap on the flank and an earnest recommendation to make all sail after its venerable mother which it did forthwith cocking its ears and tail and shrieking as it went two days after this event they made a brief halt at a poor village where they were hospitably received by the chief who was much gratified by the liberal quantity of calico with which the travelers paid for their entertainment here they met with the portuguese halfcast who was reputed one of the greatest monsters of cruelty in that part of the country he was however not much more villainous in aspect than many other halfcasts whom they saw he was on his way to the coast in a canoe manned by slaves if harold and disco had known that this was his last journey to the coast they would have regarded him with greater interest as it was having learned his history from the chief through their interpreter they turned from him with loathing as this halfcast career illustrates the depths to which humanity may fall in the hotbed of slavery as well as to some extent the state of things existing under portuguese rule on the east coast of africa we give the particulars briefly instead of the whip this man used the gun which he facetiously styled his minister of justice and in mere wantonness he was known to have committed murder again and again yet no steps were taken by the authorities to restrain much less to punish him men heard of his murders but they shrugged their shoulders and did nothing it was only a wild beast of a negro that was killed they said and what was that they seemed to think less of it than if he had shot a hippopotamus one of his murders was painfully notorious even to its minutest particulars over the female slaves employed in the house and adjacent lands there is usually placed a headwoman a slave also chosen for such an office for her blind fidelity to her master this man had one such woman one who had ever been faithful to him and his interest who had never provoked him by disobedience or ill conduct and against whom therefore he could have no cause of complaint one day when half drunk he was lying on a couch in his house his foreman entered and made herself busy with some domestic work as her master lay watching her his savage disposition found then in a characteristic joke woman he said i think i will shoot you the woman turned round and said master i am your slave you can do what you will with me you can kill me if you like i can do nothing but don't kill me master or if you do who is there to look after your other women they will all run away from you she did not mean to irritate her master but instantly the man's brutal egotism was aroused the savage just became a fearful reality and he shouted with rage say you that say you that fetch me my gun i will see if my women will run away after i have killed you trained to implicit obedience the poor woman did as she was bid she brought the gun and handed him powder and ball at his command she knelt down before him and the wretch fired at her breast in drunken rage he missed his mark the ball went through her shoulder she besought him to spare her deaf to her in treaties he ordered her to fetch more powder and ball though wounded and in agony she obeyed him again the gun was loaded again leveled and fired and the woman fell dead at his feet note the above narrative is quoted almost verbatim from the story of the university's mission to central africa pages 78 and 79 the author of which vouches for its accuracy and note the facts of this case were known far and wide the portuguese governor was acquainted with them as well as the ministries of justice but no one put forth a hand to punish the monster or to protect his slaves but vengeance overtook him at last on his way down the zambizi he shot one of his men the others roused irresistible fury sprang upon him and strangled him then indeed the governor and magistrates were roused to administer justice they had allowed this fiend to murder slaves at his will but no sooner had the slaves turned on and killed their master than ceaseless energy and resolution were displayed in punishing those who slew him soldiers were sent out in all directions some of the canoemen were shot down like wild beasts the rest were recaptured and publicly whipped to death reader this is domestic slavery this is what portugal and zanzibar claim the right to practice this is what great britain has for many years declined to interfere with this is the curse with which africa is blighted at the present day in some of her fairest lands and this is what portugal has decreed shall not terminate in what she calls her african dominions for some years to come in other words it has been coolly decreed by that weakest of all the european nations that slavery murder injustice and every other conceivable and unmentionable vice and villainy shall still for some considerable time continue to be practiced on the men women and children of africa higher up the shire river the traveler saw symptoms of recent distress among the people which caused them much concern chimbolo in particular was rendered very anxious by the account given of the famine which prevailed still farther up the river and the numerous deaths that had taken place in consequence the cause of the distress was a common one and easily explained slave dealers had induced the ajahua a warlike tribe to declare war against the people of the manganja highlands the ajahua had done this before and were but too ready to do it again they invaded the land captured many of the young people and slew the aged those who escaped to the jungle found on their return that their crops were destroyed little seed remained in their possession and before that was planet and grown famine began to reduce the ranks already thin by war indications of this sad state of things became more numerous as the travelers advanced few natives appeared to greet them on the banks of the river as they went along and these few resembled living skeletons in many places they found dead bodies lying on the ground in various stages of decomposition and everywhere they beheld an aspect of settled on honorable despair on the faces of the scattered remnant of the bereaved and starving people it was impossible in the circumstances for harold sea drift to give these wretched people more than very slight relief he gave them as much of his stock of provisions as he could spare and was glad when the necessity of continuing the journey on foot relieved him from such mournful scenes by taking him away from the river's bank hiring a party of the strongest men that he could find among them he at length left his canoes made up his goods food and camp equipage into bundles of a shape and size suitable to being carried on the heads of men and started on foot for the manganja highlands seems to me sir observed this go as they plotted along together on the first morning of the land journey seems to me sir that chimbolo don't stand much chance of finding his wife alive poor fellow replied harold glancing back at the object of their remarks i fear not chimbolo had by that time recovered much of his natural vigor and although not yet able to carry a man's load was nevertheless quite capable of following the party he walked in silence with his eyes on the ground a few paces behind antonio who was a step or two in rear of his leader and who in virtue of his position as bosan to the party was privileged to walk hampered by no greater burden than his gun we must keep up his ferrets though poor chap said disco in the horse whisper with which he was want to convey secret remarks and which was more fitted to attract attention than his ordinary voice it had never due to let his spirits down because why he's weak and if he'd know that his wife was dead and took off as a slave he'd never be able to come along with us and we couldn't leave him to starve here you know certainly not disco return harold besides his wife may be alive for all we know to the contrary how far did he say the village was from where we landed antonio about two three days answered the bosan that night the party in camp beside the ruins of a small hamlet were charred sticks and fragments of an african household's goods and chattels lay scattered on the ground chimbolo sat down here on the ground and resting his chin on his knees gazed in silence at the ruin around him come cheer up old fellow cried disco with rather an awkward effort at heartiness as he slapped the negro gently on the shoulder tell him antonio not to let his heart go down didn't he say that what he called a place his his village was a strong place and could be easily held by a few brave men crew replied chimbolo through the interpreter but the mangange men are not very brave well well never mind rejoined a sympathetic tar repeating his pat on the back there's no saying perhaps they got courage when it came to the scratch perhaps it never came to the scratch at all up there may have you'll find him all right after all come never say die so long as there's a shot in the locker that's a good motto for each chimbolo and ought to keep up your heart even though you are a nigger because it was invented by the great nelson for his bosan just before he got knocked over at that glorious battle of trafligar telling that antonio whether antonio told him all that is extremely doubtful although he complied at once with the order for antonio never by any chance declined at least to attempt the duties of his station but the only effect of his speech was that chimbolo shook his head and continued to stare at the ruins next morning they started early and towards evening drew near to zamba the country through which during the previous two days they had traveled was very beautiful and as wild as even disco could desire and by the way it was no small degree of wildness that could slake the thirst for the marvelous which had been awakened in the breast of our tar by his recent experiences in africa it was he said and said truly a real out and out wilderness there were villages everywhere no doubt but these were so thickly concealed by trees and jungle that they were not easily seen and most of them were at that time almost depopulated the grass was higher than the heads of the travelers and the vegetation everywhere was rankly luxuriant here and there open glades followed the eye to penetrate into otherwise impenetrable bush elsewhere large trees abounded in the midst of overwhelmingly affectionate parasites whose narrow lower limbs entwining tendrils and pendant foliage gave a softness to the landscape which contrasted well with the wild passes and rugged rocks of the middle distance and the towering mountains which rose range beyond range in the far distance but as the party approached the neighborhood of zamba mountains few of them were disposed to give much heed to the beauties of nature all being interested in chimbolo they became more or less anxious as to news that awaited him on turning a spur of one of the mountains which had hitherto barred their vision they found themselves suddenly face-to-face with a small band of man gangja men whose woe begone countenances told too eloquently that the hand of the destroyer had been heavy upon them of course they were questioned by chimbolo and the replies they gave him were such as to confirm the fears he had previously entertained the ajahwa they said had just the day before burnt their villages stolen or destroyed their property killed many of their kinsmen and carried off their wives and children for slaves they themselves had escaped and were now on their way to visit their chief who was at that time on the banks of the Zambezi to beg of him to return in order that he might be which the guns of the ajahwa and so render them harmless as a woman of your tribe named marunga been slain or captured as chimbolo eagerly to this the men replied that they could not tell marunga they said was known well to them by name and sight they did not think she was among the captives but could not tell what had become of her as the village where she and her little boy lived had been burnt and all who had not been killed or captured had taken to the bush marunga's husband they added was a man named chimbolo not a manganja man but a friend of the tribe who had been taken by the slavers under command of a portuguese half-caste named marizano about two years before that time chimbolo winced as though he had been stung when marizano's name was mentioned and a dark frown contracted his brows when he told the manganja men that he was chimbolo and that he was even then in search of marunga and her little boy when all this had been explained to harold c drift he told the men that it was a pity to waste time in traveling such a long way to see their chief who could not even if he wished be which the guns of the ajahwa and advised them to turn back and guide him and his men to the place where the attack had been made on the manganja so that a search might be made in the bush for those of the people who had escaped this was agreed to and the whole party proceeded on their way with increased speed chimbolo and harold hoping they might yet find that marunga had escaped and disco earnestly desiring that they might only fall in with the ajahwa and have a brush with them in which case he assured the negroes he would show them a way of bewitching their guns that would beat their chief's bewitchment all to sticks and stivers the village in which marunga had dwelt was soon reached it was as they had been told by their new friends a heap of still smoldering ashes but it was not altogether destitute of signs of life a dog was observed to slink away into the bush as they approached the moment chimbola observed it he darted into the bush after it hello exclaimed disco in surprise that nigger seems to have took a sudden fancy to the curb a antonio what's the reason of that thinky don't know suppose where dog be mon's be ah or woman's suggested disco or woman's ascendant antonio just then they heard chimbola's shout which was instantly followed by a succession of female shrieks these latter were repeated several times and sounded as though the fugitives were scattering hymns find a nest of women's exclaimed jumbo throwing down his load and dashing away into the bush every individual of the party followed his example not accepting harold and disco the latter of whom was caught by the leg the moment he left the track by a weight a bit thorn most appropriately so called because its powerful spikes are always ready to seize and detain the unwary passerby in the present instance it checked the seamen's career for a few seconds and rent his nether garments sadly while harold profiting by his friends misfortune leaped over the bush and passed on disco quickly extricated himself and followed they were not left far behind and overtook their comrades just as they emerged on an open space or glade at the extremity of which a sight met their eyes that filled them with astonishment for they are a troop of women and one or two boys were seen walking towards them with chimbola in front having a child on his left shoulder and performing a sort of insane war dance round one of the women he's catched her exclaimed disco with excited looks just as if chimbola had been angling unsuccessfully for a considerable time and it hooked a stupendous fish at last and disco was right a few of the poor creatures who were so recently burnt out of their homes and had lost most of those dearest to them had ventured as if drawn by an irresistible spell to return with timid steps to the scene of their former happiness but only to have their worst fears confirmed their homes their protectors their children their hopes all were gone at one fell swoop only one among them one who having managed to save her only child had none to mourn over and no one to hope to meet with only one returned to a joyful meeting we need scarcely say that this was marunga the fact was instantly made plain to the travelers by the wild manner in which chimbola shouted her name pointed to her and dance round her while he showed all his glistening teeth and as much of the whites of his eyes as was consistent with these members remaining in their orbits really it was quite touching in spite of its being ludicrous the way in which the poor fellow poured forth his joy like a very child which he was in everything except years and harrell could not help remembering and recalling to disco's memory usutes observations touching the hardness of negro's hearts and their want of natural affection on the morning when his dow was captured by the boat of the firefly the way in which ever and on chimbola kissed his poor but now happy wife was wondrously similar to the mode in which white men perform that little operation except that there was more of an unrefined spack in it the tears which would hop over his saleable cheeks now and then sparkle to the full as brightly as european tears and were perhaps somewhat bigger and the pride with which he regarded his little son holding him in both hands out at arm's length was only excelled by the joy and the tremendous laugh with which he received a kick on the nose from that undutiful son's black little toes but usuf never chance to be present when such exhibitions of negro feeling and susceptibility took place how could he seeing that men and women and children if black fled from him and such as he in abject terror neither did usuf ever chance to be present when women sat down beside their black and harsh as they did that night and quietly wept as though their hearts would burst at the memory of little voices and manly tones not silent in death but worse than that gone gone forever doubtless they felt though they never heard of and could not in words express the sentiment over the touch of a vanished hand and the sound of a voice that is still usuf knew not of and cared nothing for such feelings as these we ask again how could he his only experience of the negro was when cowering before him as a slave or when yelling in agony under his terrible lash or when brutalized and rendered utterly apathetic by inhuman cruelty harold learned that night on further conversation with the manganja men that a raid had recently been made into those regions by more than one band of slavers sent out to capture men and women by the portuguese half castes of the towns of sena and teddy on the zambizi and that they had been carrying the inhabitants out of the country at a rate of about two hundred a week this however was but a small spec so to speak of the mighty work of kidnapping human beings that was going on that is still going on in those regions usuf would have smiled he never laughed if you had mentioned such a number as being large but in truth he cared nothing about such facts except insofar as they represented a large amount of profit accruing to himself the result of harold sidriff's cogitations on these matters was that he resolved to pass through as much of the land as he could within a reasonable time and agreed to accompany chimbola on a visit to his tribe which dwelt at some distance to the north of the manganja highlands and of chapter eight recording by tom weiss toms audiobooks dot com chapter nine of black ivory by r m valentine this leverbox recording is in the public domain chapter nine in which a savage chief astonishes a savage animal there is something exceedingly pleasant in the act of watching ourselves unseen the proceedings of someone whose aims and ends appear to be very mysterious there was such a wide field of speculation opened up in which to expatiate such a vast amount of curious we had almost said romantic expectation created all the more if the individual whom we observe be a savage clothed in an unfamiliar and very scanty garb and surrounded by scenery and circumstances which albite strange to us are evidently by no means new to him let us you and me reader quitting for a time to sad subject of slavery and leaping as we are privileged to do far ahead of our explorers harold sidriff and his company into the region of central africa let you and me take up a position in a clump of trees by the banks of yonder stream and watch the proceedings of that negro negro chief let me say for he looks like one who was engaged in some mysterious enterprise under the shade of a huge baobab tree the chief is a fine stately well-developed specimen of african manhood he is clothed in black tights manufactured in nature's loom in addition to which he wears around his loins a small scrap of artificial cotton cloth if an enthusiastic member of the royal academy were in search of a model which should combine the strength of hercules with the grace of apollo he could not find a better than the man before us or you will observe the more objectionable points about our ideal of the negro are not very prominent in him his lips are not thicker than the lips of many a roast beef loving john bull his nose is not flat and his heels do not prove true unnecessarily true his hair is woolly but that is scarcely a blemish it might also be regarded as the crisp and curly hair that surrounds a manly skull his skin is black no doubt about that but then it is intensely black and glossy suggested a black satin and having no saber of that dirtiness which is inseparably connected with whitey brown tribes in africa differ materially in many respects physically and mentally just as do the various tribes of europe this chief as we have hinted is a savage that is to say he differs in many habits and points from civilized people among other peculiarities he clothes himself and his family in the fashion that is best suited to the warm climate in which he dwells this display of wisdom is as you know somewhat rare among civilized people as anyone may perceive who observes how these overcloth the upper parts of their children and leave their tender little lower limbs exposed to the rigors of northern latitudes while as if to make up for this inconsistency by an inconsistent counter poise they swab their own tough and mature limbs in thick flannel from head to foot it is however simple justice to civilize people to add here that a few of them such as a portion of the scottish highlanders are consistent in as much as the men clothe themselves similarly to the children moreover our chief being a savage takes daily a sufficient amount of fresh air and exercise which nine tenths of civilized men refrain from doing on the economic and wise principle apparently that engrossing an unnatural devotion to the acquisition of wealth fame or knowledge will enable them at last to spend a few paralytic years in the enjoyment of their gains no doubt civilized people have the trifling little drawback of innumerable ills to which they say erroneously we think that flesh is air and for the cure of which much of their wealth is spent in supporting an army of doctors savages know nothing of indigestion and in central africa they have no medical men there is yet another difference which we may point out savages have no literature they cannot read or write therefore and have no permanent records of the deeds of their forefathers neither have they any religion worthy of the name this is indeed a serious one which civilized people of course deplore yet strange to say one which consistency prevents some civilized people from remedying in the case of african savages for it would be absurdly inconsistent in arab mohammedans to teach the negroes letters and the doctrines of their faith with one hand while with the other they lash them to death or drag them into perpetual slavery and it would be equally inconsistent in portuguese christians to teach the negroes to read whatsoever ye would that men should do unto you do ye even so to them while domestic slavery is in their so-called african territories claimed as a right and the traffic connected with it sanctioned yes there are many points of difference between civilized people and savages and we think it right to point this out very clearly good reader because the man at whom you and i are looking just now is a savage of course being capable of reading this book you are too old to require to be told that there is nothing of our nursery savage about him that peculiar abortion was born and bred in the nursery and dwells only there and was never heard of beyond civilized lands although something not unlike him alas may be seen here and there among the lanes and perluse where our drunkards and profligates resort no our savage chief does not roar or glare or chatter or devour his food in its blood like the giant of the famous jack he carries himself like a man and a remarkably handsome man too with his body firm and upright his head bent a little forward with his eyes fixed on the ground as if in meditation while he walks along but a truce to digressive explanation let us follow him reaching the banks of the river he stops and standing in an attitude worthy of a palo though he is not aware that we are looking at him gazes first up the stream and then down this done he looks across after which he tries to penetrate the depths of the water with his eye as no visible result follows he wisely gives up staring and wishing and apparently resolves to attain his ends by action felling a small tree about as thick as his thigh with an iron hatchet he cuts off it a length of about six feet into one end of this he drives a sharp pointed hardwood spike several inches long and to the other end attaches a stout rope made of the fibrous husk of the coconut the point of the spike he appears to annoy probably a charm of some kind and then suspends the curious instrument over a fork stick at a considerable height from the ground to which he fastens the other end of the rope this done he walks quietly away with an air of as much self-satisfaction as if he had just performed a generous deed well is that all nay if that were all we should owe a humble apology our chief savage though he be is not insane he has an object in view which is more than can be said of everybody he has not been long gone an hour or two when the smooth surface of the river is broken in several places and out verse two or three heads of hippopotamide although according to disco lila hammer the personification of ugliness these creatures do not the less enjoy their existence they roll about in the stream like punches dive under one another playfully sending huge waves to the banks on either side they gave hideously with their tremendous jaws which looked as though they had been split much too far back in the head by a rude hatchet the tops of all the teeth having apparently been lopped off by the same clumsy blow they laugh too with a demoniacal ha ha ha as if they rejoiced in their excessive plainness and know that we you and I reader are regarding them with disgust not unmingled with awe presently one of the herd betakes himself to the land he is tired of play and means to feed grass appears to be his only food and to procure this he must need go back from the river a short way his enormous lips like an animated mowing machine cutting a track of short cropped grass as he waddles along the form of that part of the bank is such that he is at least inclined if not constrained to pass directly under the suspended beam ha we understand the matter now most people do understand when a thing becomes obviously playing the hippopotamus wants grass for supper the savage chief wants hippopotamus both set about arranging their plans for the respective ends the hippopotamus passes close to the forkstick and touches the cord which sustains it in air like the sword of democlese down comes the beam driving the stake deep into his back a cry follows something between a grunt a squeak and a yell and the wounded animal falls rolls over jumps up with unexpected agility for such a sluggish unwieldy creature and rumbles rushes rolls and stumbles back into the river where his relatives take to flight in mortal terror the unfortunate beast might perhaps recover from the wound were it not that the spike has been tipped with poison the result is that he dies in about an hour not long afterwards the chief returns with the band of his followers who being experts in the use of the knife and hatchet soon make mincemeat of their game laden with which they return in triumph to their homes let us follow them tither end of chapter 9 recording by tom weiss tom's audiobooks dot com