Southern standard. (McMinnville, Tenn.) 1879-current, 1886-02-27

the depth Of the gloomy forest, they
lived and prowled; and, too, on the
plains and hillsides beyond the woods
burned the camp-fires of the Somalis
the most treacherous Indians that
the earth holds"
81 know them WE'LL" | added.
81 came in time to look upon the
village of Gil as my African home,
and upon Teresa there as something
dearer than a sister. When my yacht
was laden at last with everything
valuableandnegotiable in New York,
/ used to be off, but in six months
time | was sure to be back. For two
whole years / never changed one of
my officers or men.
"Teresa has told me since that she
used to look out for me and count the
days and hours that must elapse be-
fore the week of my probable return.
Well, you know, sir, / used always
to bring her little presents of plants
and flower-seeds, the last new books,
and the latest music out.
"Next to myself-don't think me
vain in saying so-Lawson was the
most welcome guest at Colonel Lucas
bungalow. | cannot even give Law
son the credit of not knowing the
state of my feelings toward Teresa,
for, indeed, l had made him my con-
tidant. | treated him almost as a
brother, and so too did Teresa. He
had different kind of regard for her,
and dare say he came to look upon
me as the only barrier to his hopes
and happiness.
81 was much surprised one morn
ing, just before setting out upon a
long expedition inland, to hear Law
son express a wish to become one of
our party. He was usually more in
clined to enjoy the dolce far niente
than anything approaching to an ac-
tive life. | was not sorry to take him
with me, however. He would be
company, and, besides, his servant,
or boy, was an excellent guide or
bushman, and mine at that time was
laid Uphill.
"All went well with us; we bagged
many skins; we were well armed,
and could defy the Somalis, whether
by night or by day. The fifth day
had been very toilsome one, and al.
most Immediately after supper !
stretched myself with my feet to the
campfire, and fell soundly asleep al
once. Treachery ! treachery! When
l awoke, sir, all was dark; the fire
was out; l was alone-deserted. ]
shouted till hoarse. The only re-
Spouse was the echo of my own voice
and the sullen roar of lion at NJ
great distance from me.
81 passed the night in danger ant
fear, and was thankful when the stars
gave place to the sunlight. | am 6
fair woodsman, and | now com
menced at once to follow the easy
trail left by Lawson and the treacher
Gus negroes. | went on and on east
ward all day. had no arms, anC
had to feed as the monkeys fed, OF
fruits; and at night took refuge in {
tree, where, fastened by my scarf to
Dough, slept, from sheer WEAKNESS
an uneasy, dreamful slumber. Mex
day l was so weak and i'll that
could hardly walk, yet l dragged
myself along till evening; then laiC
me down, helpless and fever-struck
beneath tree.
Lawson had returned and report
ed me dead.
"Days went past-I know not how
many. | never moved from the spo
where / had fallen. / have a din
kind of recollection of lying looking
up at the cloudland of green foliage
above me, through which the warn
sunlight shOne one mOment--so i
seemed to me-and stars shimmereC
the next; and often appeared con
scious of terrible shrieks and noise
near me, and of strange black shade
leaping and gibbering around. Thes
might have existed only in my fever
dreams; but what l next remembe
did not. 1t was a sweet face bendin,
over me, and dark eyes, tear-tilled
that looked wistfully into mine. Some
thing was held to my lips, which
, swallowed; then | saw white uni
: forms gliding about in the bush; the
) ! slept, | suppose, for next opene
, my eyes in the bungalow
5 "Need say. sir, who my rescue
/ L 4 4