Identifier: voicefromcongoco00ward (find matches)
Title: A voice from the Congo : comprising stories, anecdotes, and descriptive notes
Year: 1910 (1910s)
Authors: Ward, Herbert, 1863-1919
Subjects: Ward, Herbert, 1863-1919 Africa, Central -- Description and travel Africa, Central -- Social life and customs
Publisher: New York : Charles Scribner's Sons
Contributing Library: University of Connecticut Libraries
Digitizing Sponsor: University of Connecticut Libraries

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hut, referring to them in gesture, and alternating their gossip by frequent shouts of derisive laughter. The environment of the three negro soldiers was typical of the country. Scarcely a day or a night passed without a savage orgy, followed generally by a sanguinary combat. The forest at the back of the village continually echoed the discordant cries and wails of erring women being beaten by their tyrant masters. Sickening vapours arose each day from the dew-sodden huts when the tropical sun poured forth its fierce heat and blinding glare. All was squalor, and the atmosphere was deeply charged with horrible smells. About a month after their arrival in Basoko, Corporal Alakai was stricken down with fever. One morning, while lying in his hut, carrying on a desultory conversation with his companions, some natives suddenly poked their heads through the small aperture which served for a door, saying: Yaka! Sen-nen-ne! Ya-uku. (Come with us. Come on the great river.) Olau! Why ? inquired Ali Bussi.
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An Aruimi type From a bronze by the Author THE MONKEY PEOPLE 39 We go to catch fine fish. Ya-uku! Come wit hus, friends; come and catch fish, they answered, speaking always their own language. Said Ali Bussi, in a persuading tone to Alakai: Let us go! We can then bring you some good fresh fish. Yes, added Tete Clever, as he placed a gourd of water within Alakais reach. Two days have passed since you took food. Let us go and obtain for you good food, O Alakai! Alakai, usually so alert and active, was now listless. His eyeballs were glazed and bloodshot from the effects of fever, and he answered languidly: Tor! Yes, friends; go if it please you. A few minutes after their departure, Alakai, in changing his position, caught sight of a bundle of small leather-covered scrips of the Koran, charms frequently used by the Houssas as a preservative against misfortune. Allah! but they have forgotten their hamalat; may they meet with no ill-luck, said he. During the whole day Alakai lay in a state of inerti

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