CENTRAL AFRICAN EXPLORATION.

Otago Witness, Issue 1950, 4 April 1889, Page 22

CENTRAL AFRICAN EXPLORATION.

SWAMPS INFESTED BY DWAKFS AND GIANTS. CPisu Press Association.) London, April 3. letter received fromJMr Stanley describes the horrors of the 'passage through the forests and swamps in search of Emm Bey, which occupied six months instead of a fortnight as anticipated. Both forests and swamps were infested with dwarfs with poisoned arrows, and fierce, tall aborigines armed with spears. They had also to contend against wild beasts and venomous insects. Fever was rampant among his followers, and at times [.they were threatened with famine. On emerging on grass plains the expedition behaved as if mad with joy. Between Iburi and Lake Albert Nyanza there was incessant fighting between Stanley's followers and hostile natives. All this time the members of the expedition were living on pungi nuts, and nearly all were reduced to skeletons and almost naked. Many deaths occurred, and a large number of his Arab followers deserted him. The land over which the expedition passed was a horrible wilderness until reaching Eburi, where supplies were obtained in abundance. Stanley spent 26 days with Emm Bey, whom he left on June 16 on his return journey, and GO days later fell in with the miserable remnant of the late Major Bartellot's expedition. It was ascertained that 200 of Major Bartellot's followers had perished from exhaustion or want of food, and those who had survived were mere scarecrows. The latter had endured sufferings almost indescribable. In this letter Mr Stanley says that Emm Bey being in doubt as to whether it was possible to remove 10,000 women and children attached to his camp, had determined to remain where he is. Mr Stanley expected to rejoin Emm Bey on December 10, when he hoped to say a last farewell to Congo and its forests.