EXPLORER'S FATE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVII, Issue 14465, 3 September 1910, Page 2 (Supplement)

EXPLORER'S FATE.

SHOT BY NATIVES. BOYD ALEXANDER'S DEATH. Details of the murder of Lieutenant Boyd Alexander, who was recently killed in Wadai while on an important expedition across Africa, has now come to hand. The intelligence comes from Lieutenant Childers Thompson, commanding at the British post of Maifoni, in the Lake Chad region, with whom the late explorer stayed for a month. The communication, which is dated Maifoni, is as follows : — " You will have heard by this time the bare announcement that Boyd Alexander was killed near Darfur. He was delayed for a long time at Abeshir, in Wadai, owing to the French reverse at Nassalit having brought about a disturbed condition of the country. Finally, about two months ago, leaving Abeshir, lie proceeded on his journey, and, with his Portuguese collector, Jose, marched in a north-easterly direction, safely arriving at Tama, a place that is under Ali Dinar of Darfur (presumably a chieftain owing allegiance to the Anglo-Egyptian Government. They reached the place late at night, and on their arrival the local chief, or" king, summoned them to his presence, to which request Lieutenant Boyd Alexander replied that he would see the King the following morning. The explorer and his companion were encamped under some trees outside the town, and had just finished their evening meal when they were suddenly surrounded by a band of people from the town, who declared their intention of taking Lieutenant Boyd Alexander to their King. One of the men then laid hands on the British officer, who naturally pushed him off. Thereupon a small boy, who was standing by, seized a gun and blazed at the explorer, who instantly fell. The crowd then set upon him and killed him out of hand. Four of the natives seized Jose, and proceeded to wrench a ring from his finger. In order to get free Jose said he would himself remove another ring which they wanted, and the moment he got his hands clear seized his gun, which was by, fired two shots at his assailants, and, jumping on his horse, succeeded in escaping. Before this Lieutenant Alexander was dead, and the majority of the natives, in their excitement, did"not pay much attention to his companion, and moved back to the town." The letter adds : "The bad luck of the whole thing is that two days after the explorer's murder Ali Dinar of Darfur, to whom Alexander had sent his boys (presumably to announce his arrival, and to ask for guides) sent an escort with the carriers. The latter had been well received by Ali Dinar, who had given them presents and provided an escort for the British officer to give him a safe passage across Darfur. Two days later would have made all the difference. The attitude of the Tama people was doubtless due to the fact that they had had trouble with the French before, and that hearing of the arrival of an unknown white man at their town, they expccted further hosilities."