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THE LATE ABYSSINIAN TRAGEDY.

Ronald M'Donald, the only survivor of the ill-fated party attached to the late Thomas Powell, Esq.,arrivedattneColdra, the residence of his late master, on Thursday last. He had been forwarded home by the English consul, and arrived at Southampton in the packet Nyanza. His story of the expedition and its sad termination, interesting as it is coming from the lips of one so closely identified with it, adds but little to the imperfect narrative which we have from time to time published from different sources. It appears that Mr Powell was making his way towards a flowing river for the purpose of obtaining sport among the sea cows, which were said to abound there, and which he bad not yet seen. With elephant sporting he had been satisfied. He was cautioned of the danger which he incurred among the tribes infesting the district, but persisted in going. On Saturday morning, 17th April, M'Donald and the whole of the party breakfasted together, after which Mr Powell, with his wife and child, took the lead, and pursued the journey. This they usually did, and waited at intervals for the baggage to come up. Shortly after the stirt they were overtaken by a number of the Peka tribe, who professed great friendship, and shook hands with the party. They passed on before Mr Powell's party, being enabled to travel faster from having no baggage. Later in the morning, Mr Powell's party found them resting by the way, and a second time the natives went forward. M'Donald after this saw nothing of Mr Powell, and believes that at the time of the massacre he was about six miles in the rear. He had in company with him four Arabs, one European, and a guide, and they had in charge the tents and all the baggage on a number of mules and camels. M'Donald says that as soon as his party came up, the natives, who were apparently resting, suddenly rose and commenced throwing spears. M'Donald was a little in the rear, and being by the side of a camel was not at first observed. As he turned round, however, to use his gun, he saw a native aim a spear at him, which, passing in front, tore his vest and slightly wounded his hand. "With several of the Arabs, M'Donald ran forward in the direction which Mr Powell had taken, but saw nothing of him, and succeeded after many hours' exertion and fatigue in reaching a missionary village which Mr Powell intended to visit. The baggage was all left behind, and was taken possession of by the robbers. M'Donald had picked up the spear with which he was wounded, but finding that the native who threw it was pursuing him, he threw it down, and the native thereupon gave up the pursuit. A party from this village went out to ascertain the fate of Mr Powell, but M'Douald was not permitted to accompany them. In two days they returned with the intelligence that they had met with the natives and had seen the murdered bodies of Mr Powell's party. Of the baggage which Mr Powell had with him on the journey M'Donald is not aware of a single thing having been recovered. The baggage which he has brought to England, and which now lies at Southampton, was left behind by Mr Powell, as not being immediately required. M'Donald, who is only about twenty years of age, is said to appear ten years older than when he left England. He was met at Southampton by his brother, and he immediately took his departure for Newport, to Bee the frienda of his lamented master. He remained at the Coldra until Saturday morning, and then proceeded to visit his own friends at Aberdeen. No intelligence has yet been receive 4as to the proceedings of Mr H. Powell and hisbrotberin-law, Mr Jenkins, in Abyssinia ; but news is daily expected.

Permanent link to this item
Hononga pūmau ki tēnei tūemi

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/ST18691029.2.17

Bibliographic details
Ngā taipitopito pukapuka

Southland Times, Issue 1155, 29 October 1869, Page 3

Word count
Tapeke kupu
654

THE LATE ABYSSINIAN TRAGEDY. Southland Times, Issue 1155, 29 October 1869, Page 3

THE LATE ABYSSINIAN TRAGEDY. Southland Times, Issue 1155, 29 October 1869, Page 3

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