The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1889-10-13
CHAPTER XIII.
THE RESCUE.

and il was not until long past midnight
that they saw the last female figure disap-
noor inside and the skin drawn across the
entrance.
SLOW long shall we give them, Kretaz"
..In an hour Kreta will go on" the chief
said stbut better give two hours for all to
be fast asleep
r, 9pouJ an hour Ronald, who had been
half living on the ground with his head on
his hands. looked round and found that the
chief had stolen away. He sat up and
watched the hut intently. The fires were
burning low now, although many of the
Kafirs were sitting round them; but there
was still light enough for him, looking IN
tently. to have seen figure moving along,
O,ca or twice he fancied he saw dark
shadow on the ground close to the hut, but
ba was not sure, and was still gazing in
tently when there was touch on his shonl-
der. and looking round he saw the chief
beside him.
1.-TWO women watch" he said; "others
sill quiet. Give little time longer to make
sure that all are asleep, then we go on"
It seemed to Ronald fully two hours, al
though it was less than one, before Kreta
again touched him.
Time to go, incos," he said. "You go
down with me to the hut, but not quite
close. Kreta bring girl to you. You bet
ter not go. Kreta walk more quietly than
white man."
Ronald gave his consent, though reluc-
family, but he felt that it was right that
the Fingo, who was risking his life for his
sake, should carry out his plans in his own
way Kreta ordered one of his men to
rejoin his companions, and with the others
advanced toward the village.
When within forty yards of the hut he
touched Ronald and whispered to him to
remain there Then he and his companions
Law down on the ground, and without the
slightest sound that Ronald could detect,
disappeared in the darkness. Ronald stood
with his revolver in his hand, ready at any
moment to spring forward and throw him
upon the Kattirs.
Mary Armstrong lay awake with every
faculty upon the stretch, Where the sue
cor was to come from, or how she could
not imagine; but it was evident, at least,
that some white man was here, and was
working for her. She listened intently to
every ,ound, with her eyes wide open, star
ing at the two women, who were cooking
1neales in the fire and keeping up low,
murmured talk. She had not even hope
that they would sleep. Size knew that the
natives constantly sit up talking and feast
ing until daylight is close at hand, and as
they had extra motives for vigilance, she
was sure that they would keep awake.
Suddenly, so suddenly that she scarcely
knew what had happened, the two women
disappeared from her sight. A hand had
grasped each tightly by the throat, another
seized the hair, and with sharp jerk
pulled the head on one side, breaking the
neck in a moment common mode among
the Kaffirs of putting any one to DEATH The
whole thing did not occupy moment, and
as the two women disappeared from her sight
two natives rose to their feet and looked
round. Convinced that this was the succor
promised her, she sat up. One of the ma
tives put his finger upon his lips to indicate
the necessity of silence, and beckoned for
her to rise and come to him. When she did
so he wrapped her in a dark blanket and led
her to the door. He pushed aside the hang
ing and went out
Mary followed close behind him. He now
Put the blanket over her head and lifted
her in his arms. A momentary dread seized
her lest this might be an enissary of some
other chief, who had sent him to carry off
Macomo's new captive. but the thought of
the English words treasured her, and at
any rate, even if it were so, her position
SOulQ nOb ptoStDlJ 10 WOISS Iudu vi bil0 re-
turn of Macomo the next morning. She
was carried q short distance, then she heard
her bearer say in English, "Come along.
| take her a bit further. Too close 10
Katfir STILL" She was carried on for some
distance Then the blanket was removed
from her head. and moment later dark
figure seized her hand.
Thank God, we have got you out, Miss
Armstrong"
Tho - -
own tongue was SO great that she was not
capable of speaking and she would have
fallen had she not bee clasped in the arms
OF the person who addressed her. Her sur
prise at feeling that the arms that encircled
her were bare reused her.
who are you, sirs" she asked trem-
bling
- u am Sergt. Blunt, Miss Armstrong.
NO wonder you did not know me. I am
got up In native fashion. You can trust
yourself with me, you know"
Oh, yes, yes" the girl sobbed. II know
can, you saved my life once before. How
old you come here? And o, can you tell
me any news about my fatherp
he Is hurt, Miss Armstrong, but | have
every hope that he will recover. Now YOU
must be strong, for we must be miles from
mere before morning. Can you walkg'
yes, can walk any distance" the
- S1ld' eSleruay lG seemed TO me that
could not walk an inch further were it to
save my life, and they had to carry me the
lase mile or two, but now feel strong
enough to walk any distance"
ohe can walk at present, chief Ronald
'a1 C' let US go forward at once"
!, Aney were now on the pathway leading
LOW Town 70 the kraal. The chief took the lead
tSIIAng Mary Armstrong to take hold OF his
pDanket and follow close behind him, while
TE;1Aald followed on her heels, the other
ttingoe' Keeping in the rear. The darkness
oeaeath the trees was dense. and it was
ooHetime before Ronald could make out
G,en the outline Of the figures before him.
"elGre approaching kraal a halt was
aiaue and one of the Fingoes went on
a aneau To see if the fires were out and all
a ai.l Inside their huts. Several times,
sIt'uough all the human beings were asleep,
r w. scout returned saying that they could
ho hoy pass through the kraal, for the dogs
sau scented him and growled fercely, and
'ulu set up such barking when the party
W ESQ as to bring all the village out to see
wat was the matter,
49, 1uen long detours that were difficult
ff-ough through the thick bush in daylight,
uo night were almost impossible, had to
S9 ulade. Each time that this had to be
cs Yne, kreta lifted Mary Armstrong and
ha ,,a4eu her, and she had now become 50 ex-
PalsIed that she was unable even to protest.
h. 't tll.o would have carried her himself, but
~ t .eit That it would be worse than useless
ba Ht..einpt to do so; though unencumbered