The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1889-09-29

for instant use, while the Fingoes fitted in
and out among the trees like dark shadows.
Their blankets and karosses mad been
handed to the women TO carry, and they
had oiled their bodies until they shone agai
step always taken by the natives VIII, n
engaged in expeditions in the bush,
which seems des g0ed partly 20 give more
suppleness to the limbs, AMI partly TO er-
aole them to glide through the thorny
thlckets without being severely scratched.
They had got about half way through
the bush without anything being heard of
the lurking enemy, when a sudden oltburst
OF firi1g, ming ed with yells and shouts, was
heard about quarter Of a mile ahead.
The scoundrels are attacking a convoy
coming down." Ronald exclaimed.
''Shall we rush on TO their aid, sergeantp
the young officer who was riding next to
Ronald asked.
Il cannot leave the wagons" Ronald
said; but if You would take your men on,
sir, we will be up as soon as we CAM
The officer shouted to his Fingoes, and at
a run the natives dashed forward to the
scene of the conflict, while Ro aid urged
tle drivers, and his me- pricked the bull
lccks with their swords until they broke
into numbering trot.
In few minutes they arrived at the
scene OF action. A number of wagons were
standing il the road, and round them
light was going on between the Fingoes and
greatly superior numbers of Kafirs
Ronald gave the word, and his men charged
do wa into the middle of the figh The Kaffirs
dld not await their onslaught but glided
away among the trees, the Fingoes folio wing
IN hot pursuit until recalled by their officer,
who feared that their foes might turn upon
them when beyond the reach of the rifles of
the troopers
Ronald sauv Of 0ooo nc h. -olo -. 49,
although the Fingoes had arrived in time
TO save the wagons, they had come too late
TO be OF service to the majority of the de-
tenders. Some half dozen men, gathered
In body, were still on their feet, but
| sc ore of others lay dead or desperately
wounded by the side of the wagons. AS
soon as the Fingoes returned and reported
the Kaffirs in full flight, Ronald aud the
troops disnounted to see what aid they
| could render. He went up to the group of
white men, most of whom were wounded.
This is a bad job, one of tn sm said but
we thought that as there were about thirty
of US, the Kaf1irs wouldn't venture to at
tack us. We we're all on the alert, but they
sprang so suddenly out of the bushes that
half of us were spearei before we had time
to draw a trigger.
What had we better do, sir-go on or
go back." This question was addressed to
the young off cee.
Il saould think that now you have got SO
far you had better go on" he said. The KAT
frs are not likely to return for some little
time. L will give you half my Fingoes to
escort you 90 through the wood. Don't you
think that will be the best plan, sergeant?'
VI think 81, sir. l will let you have half
my men to go back with them. The rest of
US had better stay here until they return.
But, first OF all, we will see to these Door
fellows. They m ay not be all dead"
Most of them, however. were found to be
SO, the KatiirS having sprung upon them
and cut their Threats as soon as they had
fallen. Two of them who had fallen near
the group which had maintained the resis-
lance were, however, found to be still living,
and these we're lifted into the wagons. Just
as the party were going to move on toward
the coast, a groan was heard amoag the
bushes by the s.de of the road. Ronald and
two of the troopers at once proceeded to the
spot.
Good beavensl" tia formsr exclaimed,
as he leaned over the man who was living
there. ut is Mr.. Armstrong"
He was lifted up aud carried into the
road. An assegai had passed through both
legs, and another hal trAnsfixs his BODY
near the right shoulder. Tns point pro-
jectei some inches through thu back, the
shaft having brokon of as ne fell. Ronald
seized the stump of the spear, aud with the
greatest difficulty drew it out from the
wound.
"Cut his things off," he said to the
troopers, land tear up something aud
lightly band 60 the wound. l am afraid it
is a fatal one." Then he hurried off to the
men.
"Were there not some womsn in the
wagons~ he asked.
YES, there were three Of them,n the
mau said; "a girl and two women. The
tna viva of tuyn 81 fha
who have been killed. The. girl was the
daughter Of another. Isupp jse the natives
must have carried them of, for / see no
signs of them"
Ronald uttered anexclamation of horror:
he knew the terrible fate of women who
fell into the hands of the Kaffirs. He
returned to the officer.
What is 1t sergeantF' he asked, "any
fresh misfortunew
"a young lady know, daughter Of that
poor fellew we have just picked up, and
two other women, have bean carried of by
the natives"
Good heavans!" the young man said,
this is dreadful; taey had a th ousand times
better have been shot with their friends.
What's to be done. sergeantr
81 don't KNOW Ronald said, II can't
stead of waiting till the men
with the wagons come back, 1 will push
straight on out of the wood, and will then
send the rest of the men back at full gallon
to meet you, then you can all come GA to-
gether. | think you said you would take
command OF the party going back with the
WACO s."
The two were at once set in motion. Ro-
maids party met with no further Interrupt
tion until they were clear of the bush. As
soon as he was well away from it, he sent
back the Rifles to join the other party, and
return with them through the forest He
went on for half mile further, then halted
the wagons and dismounted.
Mr.. Armstrong had been placed in one
of the wagons going upthe country, as they
were nearer to town that way than to Port
Elizabeth; beside. Ronald knew that if Mr..
Armstrong recovered consciousness, he
would for many reasons prefer being up the
country. Ronald walked up and down,
restless and excited, meditating what step
he had best take, for he was determined in
some way or other he would attempt to res
cue Nary Armstrong from the hands Of the
natives. Presently the head man of the
Fingoes came up to him and said, in a mix
ture of English and his own tongue:
"My white friend is troubled; can Kreta
help him"
II am troubled, terribly troubled, Kreta.
One OF the white ladies who has been car
ried off by the Kaffirs is a friend of mine.
must get her out of their hands"
Kreta looked grave.