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Updated: June 11, 2025
And many a poor sick creature is cast into the sea before life is extinct," he continued. "That is adding murder to piracy," was our natural and indignant rejoinder. "Hush!" said Don Herero, "these are sensitive people, and desperate ones, as well. I should find it difficult to protect you if they were to overhear and understand such words." We realized that his remarks were true enough.
It was quite impossible to suppress a shudder as we looked upon the disgraceful scene, which being observed Don Herero said, "They look bad enough now, but a few days in the open air, with a plenty of fresh vegetables, fruits, and sweet water to drink, will bring them round. They will get a good bath directly at the first river they cross, which is the thing they most require."
What are our obligations to France, Italy, Serbia and Russia, what is the happiness of a few thousands of the Herero, a few millions of the Belgians whose numbers moreover are constantly diminishing when we might weigh them against the danger, the most terrible danger, of incurring permanent German hostility?... A Frenchman I talked to knew better than that.
At first it appeared as though Don Herero had purposely brought us here to witness the scene, but this he insisted was not the case, declaring that the presence of the slaver was a surprise to him. Be that as it may, it was clear that a cargo of negroes was about to be landed, and certain rapid signals had been exchanged by flags from a neighboring hut ever since the mist lifted.
A couple of American men-of-war, engaged in the same purpose of suppressing the slave trade, patrolled the African coast. It was nearly night before we got through our dinner at the posada. Just as we were preparing to leave the table, the landlord came in and announced to Don Herero that if we desired to witness the close of the morning's business in the bay, we must hurry up to the plateau.
Don Herero now lies in one of the tombs in the Campo Santo, near Havana, but were he living he would doubtless rejoice at the present manner of solving a question which was so involved in perplexity during the last of his days. While we were exchanging some remarks upon the subject, our attention was suddenly drawn towards another striking object upon the waters of the bay.
Perhaps they detected sympathy in the tone of voice in which the words were uttered. They could not understand their purport, but all four were observed to turn their eyes quickly towards us, with an intelligent expression. "These are Ashantees," said Don Herero.
Don Herero went among them and exchanged some pleasant words, mostly with the women, one of whom, evidently in a delicate situation, he singled out and led aside, directing her to return to the huts. It seemed that she had prepared to go to the field, but he did not approve of it, and she acquiesced good naturedly.
The problem was not fully solved; perhaps it is insoluble. But at least the native populations were not driven to despair, and were generally able to feel that they were justly treated. 'Let me tell you, a Herero is recorded to have written from British South Africa to his kinsmen under German rule, 'Let me tell you that the land of the English is a good land, since there is no ill-treatment.
"A cruiser has scented the brigantine," said Don Herero. "It certainly appears so," we affirmed. "Unless there be sharp eyes on board the little craft, the cruiser will be down upon her before her people even suspect their danger." "The brigantine can hardly escape, at any rate," we suggested. "Don't be too sure," said Don Herero.
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