The Arkansaw traveler., 1884-11-29

the armsI If man sentimental of char acter lets thirty years go by without ever feeling a call on his resources of that kind, he has monstrous accumulations when the first chances comes. None but Albertyne remarked book lying open on the crumpled carpet, which he lifted softly and lingeringiy laid it on the pole table. It was yellow novel, well thumbed, in the language of his own forefathers but he had only a vague idea of novels, and no idea at all of French. This ignorance spared him some concern, perhaps, which imperfect knowl- edge might have reused; for the book was high-strung romance of Paul Fevars, telling of duchesses and heroes, who carried to superhuman height the virtues of devotion, purity, courage, and shrewdpess, unrestrained by common sense.
 But Woods statement, sobered and directed by his superior, revealed plan that must arrest attention. He pointed out that now, for the first time in modern history, white people on the spot who knew what Providence designed had a chance to fulfill its purposes. The re- straint of government far away, preju- diced, stupid, quite ignorant of the cir cumstances, had been removed by the issue of war. It was time to act. The decree of heaven and the universal ex- perience of men lay down that black peo- pie were created for the service of the white; therefore they can have no right of property as against these, when the latter desire something in possession of the former. If it were not so, how could the Dutch justify their occupation of South Africa, or the English their en- croachments The proposition lay be- yond dispute, and no priggish authority could now resist the fates. In short, Wood suggested 6libuster invasion of the Harte river country.
 This was not a new idea, but hitherto 1t had been monopolized by Transvaal Boers, who could show pretexts of sort Twenty years since the republic sent a commando against some Corunna tribes. It diverged upon the march to attack certain chief, Mahura, with whom the Boers had no pretence of quarrel Touns and other kraals were sacked, and the commando returned with spoil of oxen, women, and many children. South Africa was not yet prepared for this sort of thing on such scale. The Transvaal' govern ment took credit for sending back the women the children; demanding from Mahura, as ransom, an enormous tale of cattle. When he neglected to pay, the republic formally annexed all the vast district lying between the Vaal and Harte rivers, the greater part of which belonged to Monkoroane and Nicholas Waterboer. The finished humor of this proceeding all through has rarely been matched in our time. Boers forthwith began to oc- cupy the new possession, rife in hand {; and lively scenes occurred in the Harte territory.
 Albertyne knew all this we'll, for incl dents of the slow, ceaseless strife made a standing topic on the fields. Himself Boer, though colonial bred, he did not blame his fellows of the Transvaal. He did not even feel indignant at Woods general application of the Boer philoso- phy, but he rejected 1t. We should be no better than land pirates" said he.
 When Wood saw his resolution fixed he grew sulky. Yates said "At least, sir, you will not mention this subject outside 2 And possibly you will think again before accepting Monkoroane's offer2"
 I certainly shall not" Albertyne an- swered, laughing. "It's not matter for second thoughts, after this hint. Wood will tell you that gossiping is not my weakness But if you propose to in- wade Monkoroane's own territory, he is able to make it hot for you without any assistance"
 "Oh, is that it2' Wood interrupted eagerly. "We shan't be single-handed. There's fifty Boers coming down from the Transvaal to join US"
 "Does that change your mind ?" asked Yates.
 "Not at all. It's DO business I'd take part in."
 "Well, sir, then l wish you good-by I and luck"
 A moment afterward Albertyne found himself outside. He had not forseen this result when speaking so decidedly, or per haps he might at least have kept the matter open for a day or two, until Yates and his daughter left. What a lovely beingl What an ass he had made of himself
 Meantime, Yates reproached his agent for con6ding so recklessly in a man he had not sounded while they still lay within the grip of English law. No single arm was worth the risk.
 "Oh," said Wood, "I'm blank fool, of course, but you don't know Ally Alber- tyne. He won't split, and to have brou ght him in would have been as good as clos ing our list. A score of the hardest chaps in camp would follow. Any good man l talk to will say, Is Ally in itp And if not, why not?"
 "If you had told me this before"
 How could when thought you were at Port Elizabeth ?"
 "Well, now, find his tent and bring him to supper pleasantly. He's not a missioneering chap"
 Not hel You heard what he said p
 Seemed to think the business dirty, as it struck me. We'll, we'll try again. .'' Wood did not understand that cunning smile. He was rubbing his shins when Miss Bell passed.
 Albertyne lay upon a mattress in his l little raunAd fAN 1l