Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1888-05-18

again. As they started rranK fiuiieT caTTio
up, took OF his hat and informed them that
he would probably join them on the morrow
below Heidelberg, in which town they would
ind every preparation to enable them to
spend the night comfortably. IL he did not
join them 1t would be because he was detained
on duty. In that case the two men had his Or
ders to escort them safely to Mooifontein,
and, he added significantly, Il do not think
you will be troubled with any further impo-
liteness"
In another moment he had galloped off on
his great black horse, leaving the pair consid-
erably mystified and not little relieved
well" said John, "at any rate that does
not look like foul play unless, indeed, he has
gone on to prepare a warm reception for US"
jess shrugged her shoulders; she could not
make it out; and then they settled themselves
down to their long and lonely drive. They
had forty odd miles to cover, but the guides
or rather the guard, would only consent to
their outspanning once, which they did on
the open veldt little before sunset At sun
down they inspanned again and started across
the darkening veldt. The road was in q
shocking state, and until the moon got up,
which it did about Q o'clock. the journey was
both difficult and dangerous After that
things were a little better: and at last, about
II O'Clock, they got into Heidelberg. The
town seemed almost deserted Evidently the
great body of the Beers were at the front and
had only left q guard at their seat Of govern
uaaut
where gre we to outspan!' asked John of
the Unicorn, who was jogging ON alongside,
apparently half asleep.
AT the hotel" was the short reply, and
thither they went, and thankful enough they
were to get there, and to find, from the lights
In the windows, that the people were still up.
Standing at the inn door, holding light
above her head, they found pleasant look
ing Englishwoman, who welcomed them
heartily.
Frank Muller was here three hours ago
and told me to expect YOU" she said; land
very glad am to see an English face again,
can tell you. My name is Gooch Tell me,
is my husband all right in Pictorial He went
up there with his wagon just before the siege
began, and have not heard a word from him
since"
"Yes," said John, che is all right. He was
slightly wounded in the shoulder month ago,
but he is quite recovered"
"Oh, thank God!n said the poor woman, be-
ginning to cry; "those devils told me that he
was dsad-to torment me, suppose. Come
In, miss; there is some hot supper ready when
you have washed your hands. The boys will
see to the horses"
Accordingly they entered, and were made
as happy as good supper, q hearty welcome
and comfortable beds could make people in
their condition.
In the early morning one of their estimable
escort sent In message to say that they were
tn fo hofp Al. L
| quired more rest, so they got several hours
more IN bed than they had expected, and
| anybody who has ever made O Journey in a
post cart in South Africa can understand
what blessing that was. At Q they had
breakfast. and as the clock struck 1880 Mouti
brought the cart round, and with it came the
two Beers
swell, Mrs. Gooch," said John, "what do
| We owe your
"Nothing, Capt. Mel, nothing. II you only
knew what q weight you have taken of NV
mind! Besides, we are quite ruined; the
Beers have taken all my husbands cattle and
horses, and until last week six of them were
CHARTERED ON me without paying farthing,
so it makes no odds to me-"
"Never mind, Mrs Gooch," said John,
cheerfully, "the government will compensate
| youwhen this business is over, no doubt"
Mrs. GoOch shook her head prophetically.
"Never a farthing do expect to see,n she
said. III only can get my husband back,
and We can escape out of this wicked place
with our lives, l shall be thankful. And
look here, Capt. Mel, have put up a basket
full OF fOod-brcad, meat and hard boiled
eggs and bottle of three star brandy. Thew
may be useful to you and the young lady be-
fore you get home. l don't know where you
| will sleep tonight, for the English are still
holding Standerton, SO you won't be able to
stop there, and you can't get right through.
No, don't thank me, could not do less
Good by-good by, miss; hope you will get
through all right. You lad better look out.
though. Those two men you have got with
| you are very bad lot l heard say that
that fat faced man with the tooth shot two
wounded men through the head after the
fight at Bronker's Spruit, and l know no
good Of the other. They were laughing and
talking together about you in tho kitchen
this morning; one Of my boys overheard
them, and the man with the long hair said
that, ut any rate, they would not be troubled
with you after tonight. don't know what
he meant; perhaps they nre going to change
tho escort; but thought that had better
tell you"
John looked grave. and his suspicious re-
arose, but at that moment one Of the men in
question rode up and told him that he must
start at once, and SO off they went.
Tho second days journey was in many re-
spects counterpart of the first. Tho road
was utterly deserted, and they saw ne;ihc,
Bocr, Engiishman nor Kaffir upon it; moth
ing, indeed, except few herds Of game graz
ing OH the ridges.
Nothing further occurred till, by the orders
of their escort. they outspanned, an hour O,
so before sunset, at a spot in the veldt where
faint track forked out of the Standerto,
road.