ARRIVAL AT AFUDDO.--DIVISION OF ROUTES.--FRANK'S DEPARTURE.
[Illustration: CROSSING A MARSH.]
The weather in the early part of the march from Gondokoro was fine, but
Abdul predicted that it was too beautiful to last. Sure enough, it came
on to rain one morning, and Frank pronounced it the "wettest rain" he
had seen for some time. It poured as though great flood-gates had been
opened in the sky, and rendered the ground so soft that the feet of the
horses sunk out of sight in the mud. Occasionally the way led over
marshes, which were not difficult to cross in the dry season, but when
soaked with water they became anything but agreeable. It was dangerous
to remain on horseback, owing to the liability to stumbling of the
animals, and in such places our friends were obliged to dismount and
make their way on foot.
[Illustration: A WET ROAD.]
Macintosh coats were useful, but even these garments could not keep out
the moisture, which penetrated every little crevice where there was the
least chance of an entrance. Luckily the rain was a warm one, and nobody
suffered any inconvenience from the temperature. As long as a
reasonably high temperature can be maintained there is no great
suffering, beyond the liability to contract fevers and other diseases,
but when the traveller has cold and wet combined his condition is
pitiable. The boys maintained their spirits by laughing as they picked
their way among the mud-holes, and a stranger would have thought they
were enjoying the weary tramp. It was not at all pleasing; but the
youths argued that "what can't be cured must be endured," and the best
way of enduring the discomfort was to keep up the pretence of enjoying
it.
The rain had the effect of driving the mosquitoes to shelter, so that,
while drenched with the downpour, the boys were temporarily relieved
from the necessity of fighting those tiny destroyers of the traveller's
peace; but it brought out many leeches, especially in the marshy ground,
and the porters occasionally halted to free their limbs from these
annoyances. Frank asked if it would bring them a visitation of snakes,
and was glad to learn from Abdul that most of the African snakes are not
fond of rain, and would probably stay at home, unless called out on
urgent business.
The tents were pitched on the dryest spot that could be found, and the
travellers sought their shelter before all the pegs had been driven into
the ground. The earth had been levelled a little, partly to form a
floor, and partly to remove the moist earth of the surface, and nobody
had given any attention to a hole near the roots of a bush which had
been cut away in the levelling process.
Frank was busy with his toilet-bag, when he thought he felt a movement
of the earth under his feet. He stepped a little to one side to see what
it meant, and very soon found out.
The head of a snake appeared from beneath the ground, and a pair of eyes
contemplated the youth with an expression anything but friendly. Frank
then remembered the hole in the ground to which we have alluded, and was
not long in concluding that they had camped over the residence of a
serpent. Fortunately, he was close to the entrance of the tent, and
instantly converted it into an exit.
He shouted for Abdul, and as that individual appeared the story of the
intrusion was quickly narrated. The servants were called, and soon
despatched the snake. Fred observed that it was not much of a snake, as
it was only seven feet long, which was a tiny affair for Africa. Frank
retorted that when snakes were under consideration the measurement was
of little consequence, as he had an antipathy to the whole family, big
and little. They unanimously decided that the location of the tent was
undesirable, as the contents of the hole were unknown. "We don't want to
be seeing snakes all night," said Frank, "and we shall be pretty likely
to do so unless we change our base."
[Illustration: A SNAKE IN CAMP.]
The tent was moved a dozen yards or so, and if there were any more
snakes in that hole they had no occasion to complain of disturbance.
Another snake was killed close to the camp, and altogether it seemed as
if their lines had not fallen in pleasant places.
The snakes were not without their uses, as they were carried off by some
of the black soldiers of the detachment, and soon found their way into
the cooking-pot. Abdul said there were not many snake-eaters in the
detachment, but enough of them to make any ordinary serpent come handy.
"The flesh," said he, "is as sweet as that of a chicken, and it is only
prejudice that keeps us from trying it."
Of course the incident led to anecdotes of a snaky character, and
between dinner and the hour of retiring there were many wonderful
narrations. The precaution of sleeping with the legs crossed or
stretched wide apart was again enjoined upon the youths, in case they
wanted to save themselves from pythonic deglutition. Abdul repeated a
tale he had heard of a snake on the banks of Tanganyika Lake that used
to swallow the natives when they paddled their rafts near his lair. He
was large enough to take in man and boat at a single gulp, and the boats
seemed to aid his digestion instead of injuring it.
Ali said that in his country the antelopes were so large they would be
mistaken for elephants, except for their shape; and his statement was
verified by another narrator, who declared that in his native place the
goats were provided with trunks like elephants, while the chickens had
heads and necks like serpents, and could inflict a bite which was
instantly fatal. Another disciple of the marvellous told of cats larger
than cows, and mice like bull-dogs, and he averred that his brother had
been in a country where the flies were used as horses, and a strong fly
could carry a man five or ten miles without lighting down for a rest.
The next day the weather was better, but the necessity of drying the
camp equipage prevented an early start. Everybody rejoiced at the
reappearance of the sun, and the horses and donkeys seemed to share in
the pleasure of the return of the clear sky.
In the last camp before they reached Miani's Tree, Doctor Bronson told
the youths he had a plan for their future movements which he had been
carefully considering for several days, and would now unfold to them.
"It is this," said the Doctor: "from Afuddo we have a choice of two
routes to the country of King M'tesa--one by land, and one by water. If
the steamer is in running order we can explore the Albert N'yanza,
making the circuit of the lake, and ascending the Somerset River, or
Victoria Nile, to Murchison Falls, twenty-two miles above the river's
mouth.
"The other route is altogether by land, through the M'rooli country, to
Foueira, the station of the Egyptian troops where our detachment is
going.
"Now, what I have been considering is for our party to divide, and thus
cover both routes. Frank and Abdul can continue with the soldiers to
Foueira, while Fred and I will go with the steamer to Murchison Falls.
We can meet either at the Falls or at Foueira. In the former case Fred
will come down the river to join us, and in the latter we will ascend
the river route, to meet him at the station."
Both boys were delighted with the proposition. They were sorry to be
separated after having travelled so long together, but they realized
that the time would not be long, and they would be using their eyes to
better advantage than if they both continued on one route.
"You can describe the lake," said Frank to his cousin, "and I will tell
about the journey by land. Abdul and I can get along all right, I think,
and we shall be well protected by the soldiers. You ought to have an
escort as well as I, and I presume the Doctor will arrange all that with
the commander."
[Illustration: SCENE NEAR AFUDDO.]
The new plan was the subject of a good deal of conversation between the
youths at every opportunity for the rest of the march to Afuddo. On
their arrival at that point they were eager to learn if the steamer was
in good condition for the voyage, and their first inquiry was concerning
her.
"The steamer is all right," said the Doctor, as soon as he had delivered
his letter to the officer in command of the post. "She is lying at
Duflé, the point whence Mr. Gessi started for the first steam voyage on
the Albert N'yanza, and we can have her ready to leave in a very short
time."
There was some unwelcome intelligence concerning the land route to
Foueira. The Shooli and Umiro people, through whose territory the road
passes, had recently shown signs of hostility. They had attacked several
trading caravans, and while some had defended themselves successfully,
others had been broken up or compelled to retreat. There was a prospect
that Frank and Abdul might see some fighting if they continued with the
land party, and Fred suggested that it might be better to abandon that
route and all go by steamer.
Frank opposed this change of plan, and said he was quite willing to take
the risk of the land journey. He felt that the troops would be able to
take care of themselves if they were attacked. He believed that the
Remington rifle, in the hands of a soldier, would be a safe defence
against a thousand native spears and arrows. He argued farther that he
did not come to Africa to expect travel would be as safe as at home, and
it would indicate a faint heart if he should be frightened by the mere
rumor of trouble.
Doctor Bronson asked the youths to defer their decision till he could
confer with the officer in command of the post at Afuddo, and also with
Captain Mohammed, under whose escort they were travelling. The
conference was held early the next morning, and the boys anxiously
awaited the Doctor's report concerning it.
"We had a long talk over the troubles among the Shoolis and Umiros,"
said the Doctor as he returned to their tents, "and the reports are not
encouraging. Still, I am of opinion that there is no great danger, since
the soldiers are well armed and disciplined. They will not attack the
natives unless seriously threatened by them, as their instructions are
not to make trouble, but to act only on the defensive.
"Therefore I see no good reason why Frank should not continue as we had
proposed. Perhaps Fred and I will go with him the first day's march, and
if no serious intelligence comes in that time he can continue. If actual
war has been declared he can turn back and accompany us by the lake
route."
The question having been settled, the party at once proceeded to divide
the baggage and make the necessary arrangements for the two journeys.
The division was easily accomplished, as all the cases were marked and
numbered according to a list, of which each of the travellers and also
the dragoman had a copy. Frank took only what was needed for his
journey, including a good supply of ammunition and a couple of rifles
for himself and Abdul, so that they could do their share of fighting in
case of necessity. All the heavy baggage, and such things as were
intended for use at King M'tesa's court and after the visit to that
monarch, went by the steamers, as the easiest and safest mode of
transport.
The most of the day was consumed in the arrangement, and it was not till
late in the afternoon that Frank and Fred had an opportunity to take a
stroll around the village near which their camp had been placed.
It was a collection of huts much like those of the other villages they
had seen on the route, and consequently there was nothing new for them
to look at. Outside the village were a few fields and gardens, and the
boys remarked how easily the region might be made to produce abundantly.
The soil had an appearance of great fertility, and under the rude
cultivation of the natives the fields had a luxuriant aspect. "It is a
land," said Fred, quoting from Bishop Heber,
"'Where every prospect pleases,
And only man is vile.'"
"Yes," answered Frank, "and if it ever comes under European management
it can be made the seat of an important commerce. All the products of
the tropics flourish here; and when the natives learn to be industrious,
and adopt the habits and customs of civilization, they can compete
successfully with the people of similar lands in Asia."
[Illustration: A CARAVAN OF AN IVORY-TRADER.]
The conversation was interrupted by the appearance of a caravan coming
from the south, and straggling very irregularly along the road. Fred
pronounced it the most motley crowd he had seen since leaving Gondokoro,
and Frank immediately produced his note-book to take down the
characteristics of the group.
"The riding animals," said he, "are oxen and donkeys, instead of horses.
Each of the ox-riders has a child clinging on the rump of his steed,
while the donkeys are ridden by negroes, armed with rifles and sabres.
Two men on foot carry the flags of the leader, and these are unfurled
whenever a band of natives is encountered. Then there are goats and cows
following the procession, and the rear is brought up by the ivory
porters with their burdens."
[Illustration: AN IVORY PORTER.]
They followed the caravan, which passed close to their tents and
proceeded to some huts a few hundred yards beyond. There the burdens of
the porters were deposited, and for a time the scene was decidedly
animated.
Abdul joined the youths as they were looking at the caravan, and
explained to them that it belonged to one of the wandering traders such
as we have already described. "He is the agent of one of the firms at
Khartoum," said the dragoman, "and, from the number of burdens he has
just brought in, he has evidently made a successful tour. The children
that you saw are doubtless intended as merchandise quite as much as the
ivory. Though slavery has been abolished here the merchants do not
hesitate to indulge in it, and the government officials frequently
connive at their so doing. But it is diminishing every year, and will
dwindle steadily as the power of the government increases."
"What great risks are taken, and what hardships men undergo," said Fred,
"in search of ivory! They traverse Africa, encountering its fevers, and
its dangers from beasts and men and serpents; they make long journeys
where there are few of the comforts of life, and suffer all kinds of
privations, and all in pursuit of wealth to be derived from the tusk of
the elephant. The men who bring the ivory from the African wilds are
only a little less to be pitied than the huge animal that yields it."
"The difference in their case," his cousin retorted, "is, that their act
is voluntary, while that of the elephant is sorely against his will. He
has no desire to surrender his tusks, especially when his life must be
surrendered at the same time, while they could seek some other
employment."
"I have been looking up the subject of ivory," responded Fred, "and find
that the elephant hasn't a monopoly of the business. The tusks of the
hippopotamus, the walrus, the narwhal, and some other animals are
included under the name of ivory, and have nearly the same uses."
"But not exactly the same," was the reply. "Several high authorities
contend that the name only belongs properly to the product of the
elephant, which has a different composition from that of other animals.
A cross-section of an elephant's tusk has the appearance of circular
lines, intersecting each other, so as to form lozenge-shaped figures
with curved boundaries; this feature exists in no other kind of tusk,
and is the distinguishing mark of elephant ivory.
"There is a vegetable ivory which is used for making small articles, but
it is too soft to wear well, and tarnishes very easily. It is the kernel
of a nut that grows in Peru and New Granada. The tree is a species of
palm, and the ivory corresponds to the meat of the familiar cocoa-nut.
Perhaps somebody will invent a process for converting the cocoa-nut into
ivory, and then the article will be a good deal cheaper than it is."
"What would be the use?" said Fred. "Haven't we several imitations of
ivory already? Have you forgotten celluloid?"
"Quite true," replied Frank; "but then celluloid, while greatly
resembling ivory, is far from equalling it. Men who play at billiards
say the balls made of celluloid have a dead sound when struck, and that
the same is the case with all other imitations. However, there is no
doubt that celluloid can take the place of ivory for many uses, and the
elephants ought to have a mass meeting, and send a vote of thanks to the
man who invented it."
"Perhaps I've got a question you can't answer," said Fred. "What is the
composition of ivory?"
"I've informed myself on that point," replied Frank, with a smile.
"Ivory contains twenty-four per cent. of animal matter, sixty-four of
phosphate of lime, a little more than eleven per cent. of water, and the
balance is carbonate of lime and other insignificant ingredients. The
water and animal matter are dried away by long exposure, and for this
reason ivory is apt to turn yellow and change its form. Billiard-balls
require to be turned occasionally to correct these changes. They
generally shrink or expand more in the direction of the width of the
tusks than in that of their length, and consequently the makers of these
articles are accustomed to shape them roughly at first, and then keep
them for months in a warm room before finishing.
"A gentleman who has studied the statistics of the ivory trade says the
total amount of ivory imported into Great Britain during the nine years
from 1873 to 1881 inclusive was 5286 tons. The whole number of tusks
being known, the average weight per pair can be easily ascertained. This
average is put at forty pounds, which is above rather than below the
true weight. Assuming this to be correct, the 5286 tons of ivory
represent 296,016 pairs of tusks, and consequently the same number of
elephants, that have died long ago or have been slaughtered in later
times to supply the demands of luxury for the past nine years. At this
rate of destruction it will be seen how rapidly this noble animal must
disappear, and how surely ivory will become a thing of the past. The
highest price paid at a recent sale in Liverpool for the best African
ivory was at the rate of $6740 per ton, or more than three dollars per
pound.
"If," concluded Frank, "you want another lecture on ivory please give me
fair warning, so that I can get my information in proper shape."
They returned to camp just as dinner was announced. Of course the chief
topic of conversation was the proposed exploration of the Albert N'yanza
and the land journey to Foueira.
[Illustration: THE CENTRAL AFRICAN STEAMER "KHEDIVE."]
The next morning the boys accompanied Doctor Bronson on a visit to the
_Khedive_, the steamer in which the voyage on the Albert N'yanza was to
be made. They found a handsome boat, of the dimensions already given,
and propelled by a screw instead of paddles. It had two masts, so that
sails could be spread in case the engines were disabled; and it had an
awning extending the entire length of the deck, to shelter its
passengers from the heat of the tropical sun. Below deck there were
several comfortable cabins, and there were quarters for the crew, and a
well-fitted galley for the cook's use. Altogether they were pleased with
the boat, and Frank began to wish that he had not been so persistent
about making the journey by land. But an instant's reflection drove away
the thought, and he was firmer than ever in his purpose.
The _Khedive_ was all ready for service, and only needed to be
provisioned and supplied with the necessary fuel for working her
engines. A Scotch engineer, named Cameron, was in charge of her, with a
couple of Arab assistants. He was quite willing to be employed, and
declared himself heartily weary of lying idle for six months, waiting
for something to do, and constantly expecting orders that never came.
Doctor Bronson told him to get ready as soon as he liked; and in order
that there could be no mistake about it he showed his authority from the
government officials at Cairo, and also those from the commander of the
district at Gondokoro. Mr. Cameron said he would have the provisions and
fuel on board in a couple of days, provided he had the assistance of the
commander of the post to compel the people to work. They needed a little
urging, he said, and the best way of urging them was to put them under
the guard of a file of soldiers.
Our friends were well aware that the two days would grow to four or
five, as nothing is ever done in Africa in the time agreed upon. So it
was decided that Frank should continue his journey with the escort,
which was to leave the next day, and the Doctor and Fred would accompany
him for the first day's journey, as agreed. This would cause no
detention of the boat, as their baggage could be put on board in a few
hours when the _Khedive_ was in readiness.
They were off in good season in the morning, and made their camp in a
pretty little valley, close by a brook that reminded the boys of a
similar stream near their birthplace. The next morning the good-byes and
good wishes were pronounced, and the travellers turned away from each
other. There were tears in their eyes as their hands met in a farewell
clasp; their utterance was so choked by the lumps in their throats that
the words they forced out were indistinct. Africa is a land of dangers
and uncertainties, and perhaps they were destined not to meet again.
No wonder there was sadness at the separation, or that Frank regretfully
parted with friends he loved so well, and by whom he was warmly
cherished. At last the windings of the road hid them from view, and he
turned resolutely with his gaze directed toward the equator.