Page:The Negro a menace to American civilization.djvu/211

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THE NEGRO
187

Messrs. Michaels and Noblesse, who were murdered there the week before. It is the intention of M. Chal- tin to destroy these nests, and the detachment marched away in the light of the flames, which ascended from the burning village, and returned to the main force. Victims of Smallpox Smallpox had made its appearance among the men, and on the next day all of the sick were sent back to Benekamba, under guard. The expedition followed a few days later, and reached the steamer on ]Iay 5, taking three days to make the home journey, which had consumed nine days in going. The scenes on the road going back, according to Mr. Mohun's descrip- tions, were appalling. The dead from the sick column lined the way, and occasionally a corpse would be stumbled over as it lay concealed in the high grass, and over all was the overpowering stench from the decomposing bodies. So great was the mortality, that upon reaching Bene- kamba, it was found that 104 persons had died in less than two weeks. The battle which ended the expedition was fought at Stanley Falls. The soldiers were in two detach- ments, under cover of fire from the cannon on the steamer. One detachment carried the factory at the point of the bayonet, and for a while there was hot work. The retreating Arabs were pursued to the village, which the soldiers took. The other detach- ment, on the right bank of the river, had gallantly captured another town, killing the chief and seventy- five of his men. The defeat and rout of the Arabs was complete, and the slaughter from the rifles of the soldiers was fearful. After this disastrous defeat many of the Arabs' slaves, soldiers, women and other retainers gave themselves up. In all, about one hun- dred of these surrendered to the expedition. Revolting Sights There being no further danger from the Arabs after such a complete rout, the expedition left Stanley Falls