FORGOT HIS LANGUAGE

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19025, 27 May 1936, Page 14

FORGOT HIS LANGUAGE

MAN LIVES WITH NATIVES WRECKED ON AFRICAN COAST The story of Trader Horn is eclipsed by that of a German. Wilhelm Knoog, who was wrecked oft a cannibal coast of Africa, the last survivor of his crew. He wandered around for months narrowly escaping death at the hands of the natives or the claws of the wild beasts. Finally, be wandered into the settlement of the tribe of Matasari,, who were, cannibals, >bu:t they had never seen a white man before and’ they received him as one from the sky. Because of his handiness with tools, which had been saved from the ship, be became beloved by the tribe and became the adviser to the chief. He married the chief’s daughter and at the death of the chief Knoog took his place. Not long ago he was located by sonic scientists from his own country, but he could not talk to them because he had forgotten his native language and it was necessary to converse through an interpreter. They wanted to take him back to Germany but lie refused to leave his little kingdom.