Newspapers / Gardner-Webb University Student Newspaper / March 1, 1954, edition 1 / Page 13
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for Africa is of no importance. What matters most is the fact that here I met a Dr. Edny Giles. As I recall, I was dressing for a party to be held in the dining room as an honor for one of the distinguished guests on board, when a small, unattractive character with horn-rim med glasses magnifying the interest of a pair of darting eyes, entered the room. So engrossed was he in the book he was read- mg, that he failed to notice that he was in the wrong cabin. He proceeded to make himself comfortable by pulling off his shoes and producing a half-pint of the finest quality, never losing interest in the book that he was holding in one hand during all this time. While I stood observing this unique character, he seemed to sense my presence and looked up. Realizing he was in the wrong cabin, he began apologizing profusely. Before his departure he introduced himself as Dr. Edny Giles, a mineralogist. His profession, being an unusual one, interested me great ly. Being more than uninterested in the conversation of my other shipmates, I implored him to meet me at the party in order that I might learn more about his work, and his plans for the future. Dr. Giles agreed to meet me, and true to his word was waiting for me when the party began. We talked freely at the party, and afterwards when we walked unnoticed onto the deck. I remember best the latter part of the conversation for the refreshing breezes helped to clear my mind of the confusion of trying to be a pleasant companion to all those on the inside. Dr. Giles confided to me that his mission to Africa was to examine a newly discovered mineral found in the Belgian Congo and Anglo-Egyptian Su dan regions. It would take longer on this expedition than previous ones, for he had none of the assistance which he had been accustomed to on former expeditions. Obviously, there was not a great deal of congeniality between Dr. Giles, and one of the assistants that had come with him regularly be fore, for he referred to him several times as a “sniveling, cowardly weakling.” Dr. Giles accepted my offer to accompany him on his trips and searchings of this expedition, although my offer was some what hesitant because of the many risks that surely would be involved. As a child, I had been provided with everything I ever wanted, and perhaps because of that more than anything else, now desired something that couldn’t be bought in any store for any price. Something I had never had in any measure. Adventure was the rare product that I wished to gain from my new life as an explorer. It was with pouncing delight that I prepared myself for the things to come and embarked on an expedition alike nothing I had ever experienced before. Our ship docked at Pointe Noire; then proceeded to cross into the Belgian Congo region. For communication, we carried with us a native boy, Bulu by name, who understood all langu age of that region. The country was not unlike the tropical forest region of South America except it was more densely inhabited and was higher in some areas. The tremendous rains and fierce heat had produced a tangle of vegetation and trees so thick that they could be penetrated only over the narrow footpaths beated by the feet of the natives for hundreds of years. Few large animals ventured here except the elephant and the hippopotamus. The giant trees, interlaced with vines and g gantic creepers, formed a natural shelter for the chimpanzee and the gorilla. Innumerable other varieties of monkeys dwelt in this foliage, feeding on wild nuts and fruits, coming to the ground ,iust for water. We stopped at one of the pigmy villages to trade some invaluable trinkets for tobacco, beans, and yams. The menac ing stares of the pigmies were indeed frightening; but de- sp te this and our many hardships, I was enjoying the expe dition more and more. Dr. Giles, after collecting several specimens of the mineral for which he had special interest, proceeded into the region of the Sudan. There, until recent years, many of the natives had been cannibals. They still practiced sear-tattoeing and filed the teeth of the upper jaw into points. Witchcraft and fetishism had a strong hold upon them as we soon learned. We had started into the area where the mineral was sup posed to be found in the greatest abundance, when two na tives with weapons forced us to retreat to the village. There, we were presented to the chief, and several of his council men. After a short conference, we were taken into a small hut, where we were imprisoned until nightfall. We were sitting very silently in the hut with full aware ness of the danger of our situation when a messenger from the chief entered to inform us that to advance into the area, it Vvould be necessary for us to witness a religious rite. He added that we must never tell what we had seen, for there was a curse on he who told. It was believed that the person who was net faithful to the trust would die after sundown on the day of his infidelity. We gave our consent, realizing the importance of excavat ing the mineral, and of being allowed to proceed with our work. We were taken one at a time. Bulu firstly. Dr. Giles secondly, and then myself. I was escorted to the edge of an immense circle of people. In the circle, the witch doctor tended a huge fire. As I was seated, a hush passed over the people, and the witch doctor began a weird chant that was soon taken up by the people. As the chanting grew in volume, the people began dancing wildly, flinging their arms and legs with almost complete a’'andonment. Then one by one they walked through the flames, appearing to feel nothing. After immersing from the flames, they gathered in a group around the fire. Prom the billowing smoke, a shadowy sem blance began to take form. As it grew more distinct, I felt a stabbing pain in my heart as if it were a dagger of ice. Then with a sudden series of motions, the vision began to take form. A great ringing filled my ears, accompanied by the moan of voices seemingly in a severe anguish. As the swirling black mass enveloped me, I realized this grotesque specter was Satan. With that, the man seemed finished with his story. For a while, there was s'lence. Not being able to confine my curiosity any longer, I asked what happened to Dr. Giles and Bulu. “I am not certain,” he replied, “for I was found wandering dazedly about in the jungle by an American hunting party. Perhaps they were never found.” “But this is fantastic,” I said. “What makes you sure this wasn’t a dream?” The man started to speak, then clutched his hand to his heart as he slumped to the floor. I rushed to his side, but knew immediately that there was nothing to do. There was no pulse. I glanced at the clock. It was past six, after sundown. Anonymous Dedicatory To From what mount has descended to us this spirit Our realm to haunt with charm, even to Olympus rare. What doors, what casements have opened in Paradise to lose This psyche, who on shimmering wings comes, our fate to share. Did you from an ethereal Leucadia as Sappho plunge When sick from love for Phaon chose the ocean’s pall Not into the sea, but into our midst in blessed descent To bring new hope, new life with dazzling fall. Where from so strange a dress you wear As if clouds from celestial gate did you attire And your voice fresh as dew-damp valley lily Does speak in strains from Apollo’s lyre. This sweet I breathe from your unseen musk Is after scent of Hebe draughts served the Olympian throng Your unspoken reverie, I hear with plaintive memory As Pan, when m reedy embrace, sighed a song. I feel that my lips have received a kiss As given Endymion W'hile on Latmos, he slept And into my sweetest dream a soft rustling gown With nebular purity has quietly crept. What cause to behold with gaze entranced The sight of Diana, queen of silver throne When she to you smiles nightly adoration For light and beauty which are your own. As time for you has been a search So it has for me spun its flight And now we meet in infinity’s lap As naturally as falls the curtain of night. Come Minerva and let me sit with you Forever in vernal cool of sacred olive shade Page T1
Gardner-Webb University Student Newspaper
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March 1, 1954, edition 1
13
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