Caught by Cannibals: Adventures in Africa

Dominion, Volume 26, Issue 112, 4 February 1933, Page 19

Caught by Cannibals: Adventures in Africa

"Beware pf the snakes, Tom,” I cauttoued as we wended our way through the beautiful green gruss toward the river. It was a perfect day; a light breeze was gently whirling its way

through the trees, striving to fan us •from the hot Mid-Afriean sun shining fiercely from a cloudless sky. Now we wero on the bank of the river, and, hastily stripping, we dived into the crystal-clear river, fifteen feet deep, but, owing to the extraordinary clearness of the river, every pebble below" was visible, as if the river were was only "six Inches deep. We plunged about the river, and were enjoying ourselves tremendously when there was a scuffle on the grassy bank, from whence we had come. ■ ■ A brown matted head came into view, and hordes of naked savages

leaped out of the grass, uttering loud - and terrifying shrieks." After, we bad got over the first shock, I hissed to Tom, “Make for that ledge over there

on the other side.” In a moment we had' clambered on to the ledge, which was about two feet above the level of the ground, and were showering stones as fast as we could on to the oncoming savages. But what chance had a couple ’ of: boys against hundreds of savages? None,.! can assure you, and in a moment we were borne down by the rush of the aborigines. ' They captured us, and with one savage holding me and another holding T°m, we plunged into the river.. Halfway across I managed to wriggle out of the grasp of my, captor, but before I could climb the bank I was seized again and thrown down on to the ground. The savage had a long rope like flax, with sharp little stones knotted all- over it, and with ope savage holding me and another with ‘that rope, I was whipped mercilessly across the back., At last I was allowed to stumble to my feet, and at'the head of the band Tom and I'were made to march, through sharp grasses, along sharp stones, but always along the bank that skirted the river. ' ’’ ‘T, / : ; '

/After about five miles’ marching we entered a forest, which seemed interminably long, but which was in reality about three miles in length. But from the beginning of that terrible march to the savages’ camp, where we arrived footsore and weary, I didn’t forget‘that whipping I got—lt was the

savage’s way of saying “Don't you try and get away.” . Wo were thrust into a hut, roughly made of boulders, grasses and branches off trees, and with a sentry outside, we were left alone.

“I hope these savages aren’t going to leave us as we are—without any clothes ou—because it’s uncommonly cold in an African night,” said I, after dark had fallen.

“Don't think they will give us any clothes,” replied Tom, “because I don’t suppose they feel the -.cold —probably been naked all their lives.”

“Yes, I don’t suppose they feel the cold,” “What, do you thing they’ve caught us for—ransom?” Then’ a horrible thought struck me. “They’re cannibals!” I muttered. ... It was a splendid night, and from a perfectly cloudless sky a million stars were shimmering, when J. woke up to find Tom nudging me, and to my de-

light I saw my father, who had been prospecting when Tom and I went to have a dip, standing beside me. . “Quick,” he whispered, “put on your clothes. We found your; clothes, ana followed a lot of footprints which led to this hut.” Dressing hurriedly ,we slipped out of the hut to find ten of Dad’s mon waiting outside. We'rushed to the river. and had just climbed into the boat when we heard blood-curdling, yells ;• we saw a number of the cannibals, about four hundred yards away, rushing as hard as they could to the river. My father looked ruefully at the one gun he had. “I'm afraid we’re done.” he said sadly.

Then I got a bright idea.’ “Book here,” I said, picking up a large ham from the bottom of the boat, “let’s smear the sides of the boat and the oars with this ham .so that the savages won’t be able to grab the boat,” •We had just finished when the savages came rushing down upon us. When they clutched at the boat they could not keep hold, and at last, completely- baffled,, they, had to let us pass. . . . “And,” said my father later, “if it hadn’t been for that neat way: of giving them the slip I-fancy we would all be hanging in the cannibals’ larder now—you see, a bit of white flesh Is quite a novelty to them.—Original, by “Jim T-,” aged 12, Wadestown,