Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1881-10-15

Certainly Dave was changed at last The bath
of excitement and action agreed with his con-
stftution. Bright he had always been when
reused for q moment, but languid and dreamy
negroes comfortable, and they regarded him
with . smile Of Admiring affection.
When horses and men had been disposed for
the night, and our rough supper finished, the
pair told me their adventures, which must
After crossing the Orange they found them
selves environed by rumors and dire alarms.
There is a small colony of Basuto Kafirs oppo-
site the Hook, rich and prosperous BY the sale
of diamonds honestly obtained. These good
lapins were on the war path
But Dave and his comrade would not be scared.
That Jantje would dare ill-use white men seemed
ridiculous, and they expected much more amuse-
ment than danger in witnessing the campaign.
The good Basuto chief gave them horses and a
half-dozen of picked warriors to guard them
and report.
Thus reinforced. and secure Of food, they
abandoned the project Of hating at Campbell
Grounds, where, In truth, they had nothing to
Pushing straight on over the veldt, they be-
held signs Of trouble before reaching the first
halt. The Griquas had sent away their old
men, women and children. with such house
train Of wagons streamed toward the Orange
river. II
The fugitives named place where the
men capable of bearing arms had appointed
their rendezvous but the Basutos did not know
the spot, nor could they understand how to
find it.
On the third march from the river they saw
burned homesteads. dead cattle, and the signs
of barbarous war. Now and then a small body
OF negroes would be discovered upon the naked
veldt, but SO far away that to pursue them was
hopeless.
Next day, however. they met a plundering
party OF the enemy, who stood; and for the
first time Dave heard the singing of a bullet.
Two Batlapins were killed and one taken, who
saved his life by guiding them to the Griqua
rendezvous.
A distressing scene of confusion was that
lager. The Griquas brave enough, had lived
for years in peace profound. They had no war
chiefs, and not man among them knew what
ought to be done. The strangers were received
with unspeakable delight. and they found apt
pupils. HOttentot blood is scarcely less capable
of training for war Of its own style than is the
perfervidum ingenium of the Katir.
Within few days a successful foray was con-
Quoted into Jantje's country, and both parties
discovered that Batlapin kraals are as easy to
burn as Griqua farmsteads.
Thus guerrilla war began while Jantje col
lected his power, and strove to drag MOnko-
roane, chief of the Corannas, into the dangerous
game. Weeks passed by the Griquas gaining
confidence in themselves and their leaders At
length Jantje moved with all his followers.
Scouts and prisoners gave timely notice, and
the white generals secured formidable con-
tingent of Basutos, led by the old chief himself.
After desultOry fight, which lasted half the
day. Dave charged at the head of his cavalry.
The Batlapins ran, and jamie took refuge
among the Coronnas. where he remained until
late events tempted him to renew his senseless
schemes 18798O) No prisoners were taken, of
course, excepting the man just lodged in the
tronc, who saved his life by offering handfuls Of
coin.
Such was Dawes story. The gratitude and
admiration of the negroes were not satisfied
with comforting on their generals the barren
honor of chieftainship. subscription was Or
gained, which took the form Of cattle. Upon
the hint that diamonds would be a kind of
wealth more portable. two handfuls of fine
stones, worth over fifteen hundred pounds, were
substituted. And with this booty and their
Batlapin captive the pair returned to Dutoit-
span.
Next day the prisoner was examined privately
at the trOnc. In answer to the magistrate. he
repeated his confession that he had stolen many
gems and sold them. He named his master,
whose claim lay at New-Rush, and that gem
tieman, when summoned recognized him at a
glance. 1t remained only to identify the buyer,
process needing the EXTREMIST caution. At
nlghtfall we went out with twelve constables
IN plain Clothes who strOlled along in groups,
disguised in an air of unconcern. Dawes black
warriors marched arm-in-arm with the prisoner.
he led us through the dirtiest and lowest quart
ers of the camp, and stopped at distance from
PARSONS old frame house. which you remember.
Parsons had left it long ago, and it was now a
canteen. Through the open doorway We saw a
rude bar covered with the filthiest glasses and
bottles. A small cask of pontak another of
Cape smoke, and basket of ginger beer stood
on a shef-the usual array of pOisons. One
taiiow candle lit the dreary den, and shOne
dimly through the walls of canvas Behind the
bar stood pale. unwholesomeIoOking man,
and two examples of the lowest class of diggers
lounged on rough settees smoking.
In two minutes the ''surrOund' was complete
| and the cOnstables closing in almost touched
each other in their circle Then the sergeant
stepped into the brighter ray of light thrown by
the open doorway. eXclaiming. mo resistance,
C0rny! You're my prisOner" His pistol was
drawn as he spoke. have not seen fear SO sud-
denly and awfully expressed as in that fellow
face. His jaw dropped his eyebrows rose. cold
sweat streamed down and glistened in the can
delight He did not say word, nor move;
but the guests made row enough. They crushed
back to defend themselves, shouting to their
"brother-dggers." l saw quick CLEAN in the
barman's CLASSY eye; the candlestick ratified on
the ground. and all was dark. Before the ser
geant could flash his lantern, a CHEEKY voice
cried. outside, CAN right, sir We've got Corny,
a-creepin' among the tent-pegs, he was'
The barkeeper andhisf friends were led through
| gathering crowd, which fought for the privil-
eye of numbering them, SO soon as the charge
was known We did our duty in protecting the
frightened wretches, and then turned home
ward. 1 saw that the suspicion in my own
mind was agitating Dave, and we threaded our
way silently through the labyrinth Of Claims
Arrived at home, seated with grog and pipe be-
fore the door, Dave rose suddenly, excaimng,
II should have staid. You won't sit up for me,
old mani"
"Ill 60 back with you. There may be a
row."
After few yards, Dave said, ats no use
making mysteries. What do you suspect?"
THAT Parsons was running that canteen. and
that there's no time to lose, if you wish to warn
him. But why protect the scOundrel, and risk
your own life? He's one Of the most finished
black guards on the Fields and q mean hypo-
critic besides"
81 can't help that! Let us rum"
We reached the house breathless. The night
was very dark, the street quiet, and we stole
toward the door. Dave had raised his hand to
tap, when it was seized. "NOne of that"