Explorer Stanley's Tact.

Te Aroha News, Volume VII, Issue 376, 12 June 1889, Page 4

Explorer Stanley's Tact.

Mb H. H. Johnston" relates a sfcory which strikingly reveals one great secret of Mr Stanley's success in dealing with uncivilised tribes of Africa. Omone occasion Mr Stan ley went to meet an important, but rather unfriendly, chief, named Ngantsbu, on an island in Stanley Pool. The chief catne wirh a great retinue and with his anceetral fetich. This wag a repulsive-looking thing, made of a monkey's skull and led clay, studded with cowries and hung- with little bells. In it Ngantshu believed the spirits of bis ancestors dweltj and he treated it with veneration, and from time to time poured wine upon it, and placed chewed-up iood in its mouth. The chief introduced the fetich to Mr Stanley rather anxiously. The average white man would probably have laughed at it and asked the chief why he believed in such absuidities. But thi& great explorer sent for a camp chair, and respectfully placed the fetich in it, so that Ngantshu *. ancestors might be present at the conference ; and when lunch-time catne, and Ngantshu put food into its mouth and poured wine upon it, Mr Stanley did the same. The result was that Ngantshu signed a treaty and became for all time Mr Stanley's devoted friend. Perhaps by this time the miss<iona,ries have taught him to orsake his wretched idolatry ; but they would never have bad a chance to do so had not Mr Stanley first treated hi& faith with courtesy.