THE LAND—ITS WEALTH AND ITS WANT.
Among the explorers of the eastern part of Equatorial Africa no other has given us so full descriptions of the land, its wants and woes, and its brilliant possibilities, as Sir Samuel Baker. And he, too, in his “Ismailia,” traverses largely the territory suggested for our occupation by Mr. Arthington. The following paragraphs are from his description of the natural scenery, and of the beauty and fertility of the land on the east side of the Nile above and below Fatiko. Is this not a pleasing picture of a portion of our proposed field?
“I reveled in this lovely country. The fine park-like trees were clumped in dark-green masses here and there. The tall dolape-palms (Borassus Ethiopicus) were scattered about the plain, sometimes singly, at others growing in considerable numbers. High and bold rocks, near and distant mountains, the richest plain imaginable in the foreground, with the clear Un-y-Amé flowing now in a shallow stream between its lofty banks, and the grand old Nile upon our right, all combined to form a landscape that produced a paradise. The air was delightful. There was an elasticity of spirit, the result of a pure atmosphere, that made one feel happy in spite of many anxieties. My legs felt like steel as we strode along before the horses, with rifle on shoulder, into the magnificent valley, in which the mountains we had descended seemed to have taken root. The country was full of game. Antelopes in great numbers, and in some variety, started from their repose in this beautiful wilderness, and having for a few moments regarded the strange sights of horses, and soldiers in scarlet uniform, they first trotted and then cantered far away. The graceful leucotis stood in herds upon the river’s bank, and was the last to retreat. * * * * * Magnificent trees (acacias), whose thick, dark foliage drooped near the ground, were grouped in clumps, springing from the crevices between huge blocks of granite. Brooks of the purest water rippled over the time-worn channels, cut through granite plateaux, and as we halted to drink at the tempting stream, the water tasted as cold as though from a European spring. The entire country on our left was a succession of the most beautiful rocky undulations and deep, verdant glades, at the bottom of which flowed perennial streams. The banks of these rivulets were richly clothed with ornamental timber, the rich foliage contrasting strongly with the dark gray blocks of granite, resembling the ruins of ancient towers.”
But this land, so rich and beautiful, is all going to waste. Its game and cattle are doomed to as swift destruction as the countless herds of buffalo and antelope which only fifteen years ago thronged the prairies of Dakota. We copy from the same source this picture of the waste which is the sure precursor of want.
“By the Nile traders’ arrangements the companies of Abou Saood receive as their perquisite one-third of all the cattle that may be stolen in successful razzias. The consumption of cattle by these brigands is enormous. All flour is purchased in exchange for flesh, while flesh is also necessary for food: thus the cow is being eaten at both ends. The frightful drain upon the country may be imagined by the following calculation, which is certainly below the truth:
“If 1,000 loads of ivory must be carried to Ismailia,
| 2,000 | cows are required as payment of carriers; | ||||||||||
| 1,000 | belong to the brigands as their perquisite; | ||||||||||
| 300 | are necessary to feed the native carriers and soldiers during the journey; | ||||||||||
| ————— | |||||||||||
| 3,300 | cows are required to deliver 1,000 loads of ivory a distance of 165 miles from Fatiko to Ismailia (Gondokoro). | ||||||||||
| |||||||||||
| 2,255 | beasts are thus required annually. | ||||||||||
| ————— | |||||||||||
| 5,555 | oxen are necessary to feed and pay for the transport from a station only 350 strong, according to the customs of White Nile brigandage. | ||||||||||
“It must be remembered that at least a thousand, and sometimes double that number of slaves, are prisoners in each station. All these must be fed. The same principle is adopted in the exchange of flesh for flour; thus the expenditure of cattle is frightful. Not only oxen, but all the breeding cows and young calves are killed without the slightest reflection. No country can support such wilful waste; thus, after many years of ravage, this beautiful country has become almost barren of cattle. The central districts, occupied by the slave-traders, having been denuded of cattle, it has become necessary to make journeys to distant countries.”
But this is not the worst aspect of affairs. For by how much a man is better than a beast, by so much his life is more sacred, and to be guarded with more jealous care. Read this story of a slave raid, its treachery, its brutality, its capture not only of slaves, but its slaughter of many times the number led away to sale. But this is not all; for in the pages of “Ismailia” follows the record of a dreadful retribution in which the whole 103 of Abou Saood’s men are put to death and 150 of their allies. This is but one of many like scenes which have helped to make the slave regions of Africa as degraded as they are found to-day.
“A man named Ali Hussein was a well known employé of Abou Saood. This ruffian was an Arab. He was a tall, wiry fellow, with a determined but brutal cast of countenance, who was celebrated as a scoundrel among scoundrels. Even his fellows dreaded his brutality. There was no crime that he had not committed, and as his only virtue was extreme daring, his reputation was terrible among the native population. He had arranged to make a descent upon the Umiro tribe, about six days’ march to the southeast. He accordingly sent natives as spies with specious messages to the Umiro, announcing his intention of visiting them to purchase ivory. With a party increased by volunteers from other stations to a force of about 300 men, he arrived at Umiro. The simple natives received him gladly and showed extreme hospitality. The country was thickly populated and abounded with vast herds of the finest cattle. After a week’s sojourn among the Umiro, during which he had received large presents of elephants’ tusks and seventy head of oxen from the confiding natives, the treacherous ruffian gave an order to his brigands at sunset. They were to be under arms an hour before daybreak on the following morning, to set fire to the adjacent villages of their generous hosts and to capture their large herds of cattle, together with their women and children.
“At the time appointed, while every Umiro slept, unconscious of approaching danger, several villages were surrounded, and volleys of musketry were poured upon the sleeping inmates. The straw huts were ignited, and the flames rapidly spread, while a massacre commenced similar to the butcheries to which the slave-hunters were so well accustomed. The Umiro, thus taken by surprise, and appalled by so dastardly a treachery, were easily defeated. Their children and wives were captured, together with large herds of cattle, which are celebrated for their size. All these were driven in triumph to Fatiko.”
We only ask, in conclusion, is not this a field for Christian men to occupy—this fair land, with such means of supporting life, and with horrors like these enacted year by year, against which the presence of even a few white Christian men would be a most effectual check?