The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1889-09-15
THE CURSE OF CARNE'S HOLD.
A TALE OF ADVENTURE,
By G. A HENTY
A TALE OF ADVENTURE.
Author UNDER FLAG" with INDIA ErC
LALL FIGHTS REsERHERl


my Hottentots, the order has been given by
U nlanJeni to STAY and eat"
TO Stay and eat,n Ronald repeated in
surprise. "What does that mean, sirF'
"Ah, that question shows you have not
been long in the colony" the settler said.
You know, the Kaffirs live at ordinary
times entirely upon vegetable diet, but it
is their custom upon the approach of war
to eat meat, believing that flesh gives them
courage and ferocity. However, as it was
only three weeks ago that the chiefs all
swore to be peaceable and faithful, hardly
think that there's any danger of aa out
break for some weeks to come, perhaps not
for some months. You see 1t is just mid
summer now, and my crops are nearly fit
for cutting. | sent most of my cattle away
fortnight since, and when | have got my
crops IN shall shut up the house and move
into Beaufort. We have many friends
there, and shall stop there until we see
what comes of this business, and when Ii
Is all over shall dispose of my farm. do
not think there is any real danger mere. We
have always been on excellent terms with
the natives, and Anita, who is chief of the
tribe in this part, often comes down here
and begs bottle OF Cape smoke or pound
OF tobacco. de has smoked many pipe in
this room, and treacherous as the people
are, L cannot think that he would all w his
men to do us any harm. He generally ad-
dresses me as his white brother"
An active conversation was at the same
time going on between the other guests,
WHO were discussing the farm at which it
would be best for neighbors to assemble in
case of attack. The settler, whose name
was Armstrong, had placed Ronald next
himself, while his comrade was at the end
of the table. these being the onlytwo seats va
can't at the table when they entered. Ronald
and the settler chatted quietly together for
some time. Mary Armstrong, who had
taken her place leaning on the back of her
fathers chair, when she had seen the guests
attended to, occasionally joined in.
Mr.. Armstrong was pleased with his
guest
ST hope next time when you ride over in
this direction you will call in again"
be said 81 can assure you that
we shall be heartily glad to see you, and,
if youcan get leave off duty for a night, to
put you up. 1t is real pleasure to me TO
have chat with some one fresh from Eng
land, and to hear how things look
after all these years. Why, l shall hardly
know the country again, cut up as it seems
to be with these RAILWAYS"
After the meal was over, Ronald and his
friend rode back to their quarters.
That's nice looking little girl" the
trooper said, as they rode away from the
house; They say her fatheris tue richest
man IN these parts and that he owns lot
of properly at the Cape. If were him
sho I'D live there instead of in this out of the
way place.
~ suppose he is fond of a country life, "
Ronald replied, ignoring the first part of
the remark; II should ink that society in
Cape Town is not very interesting"
'Idon't know that" the other replied. 81
know that if / had money enough to settle
down there you wouldn't find me many
hours knocking about here as trooDer
Its all matter of taste.' Ronald re-
piled. "When l was at home lived in the
country and prefer it to town, and like an
active life in the open air better than any
thing Cape Town could give me-"
"that's nice young fellow, Mary-that
man in the Cape rifles" Mr.. Armstrong
said to his daughter the same evening. II
should say the man is altogether above his
position, don't you think 500"
81 do not know that | thought much
about it, father. Yes, suppose he WASN'T
like an ordinary soldier"
'Not at all; Mary, not at all, 1 fancy
from what l have heard that there are a
good many young men of decent family
better for young fellow that's got neither
money nor interest to come out here than
to stay at home breaking his heart IN try
ing to get something to do. Yes, l should
say from his talk, and especially from the
tone of his voice, that he had seen better
days"
ITS a pity @@the colony can't afford to
keep on foot four or five regiments Of these
Mounted Rifles. We should not hear
much of native troubles if they did. The
natives are much more afraid of them than
of the soldiers; and no wonder. In the first
place they are more accustomed to the
country, and in tie second place they are
armed with weapons that wIll.kill at a con-
siderable distance, while Brown Bess is of
no use at over hundred yards. Well, Hope
that young fellow will drop in again; |
should like another chat with him. Its
pleasant change to meet anyone who is
willing to talk on some subject other than
natives and crops and cattle"
A week later Ronald was sent with q
dispatch to King Williamstown
There will be no answer, Blunt" Lieut.
Daniels said, as he handed it to him; lat
least no answer of any consequence 81
you can stay a day in the town if you like"
Thank you, sir, but as do not care for
towns, viii, if you will allow me. stop on
my way back at Mr.. Armstrong;. That
is where the cattle were stolen the other
day, and it will be on my way from King
Williams Town. He invited me to stay
there for day if 1 could get leave"
Certainly, you can do So" the lieuten-
ant said
'You can hear if there is any news of the
Kaffirs stirring in that neighborhood; they
seem to have been a bit more quiet for the
last week or So"
Two days later Ronald drew rein in front
of Mr.. Armstrong; house, late in the after
noon.
II have taken you at your word, Mr..
Armstrong;" he said, as the farmer came
to the door.
81 am glad to see you," the other said,
cordially. ut is not mere flying visit, |
hoye; but you will be able to stay with US
till tomorrow
Ronald Mervyn availsd himself serveral
times of Mr.. Armstrong; invitations, and
when on patrol in that direction, went
in for chat He was cordially received.
"We have had some of the Kaffir police
here" the farmer said to him one day.
''What do you think Of themp
"Ihey seem smart fellows and well up to
their duty So far as can see they are
just the sort of men for border police
work"
YES" Mr.. Armstrong agreed, ION any
other border but this. To my mind they
are much too closely related to the fellows
il tae bush to be pleasant. They are all well
enough for following up a trail or ar
resting a stray thief, aad would, dare say,
be faithful enough if opposed to any tribe to
whica they wee not akin, but | doubt
whether they will stand to us if there is
trouble with Sandilli, Macomo, and the
rest of them. You see how po werful the
influence of these chiefs is When the or