The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1889-10-06
CHAPTER XII.
IN THE AMAToLAs.

viS61 him 10 hScP buC WIN was
going to fetch his hprse back.
"You won't want to walk into King
Williamstown in that guise," he said;
"therefore you had best put your uniform
into the valise, and tell the man to meet
YOU at any point yon like-I should say the
nearer 10 the bush the better; for if you
succeed in getting the young lady out of
these rascaTs clutches you may be pursued,
and if your horse is handy, may succeed
in getting her away, when you would other
wise be soon overtaken."
Ronald thankfully accepted the offer, for
be saw that it might indeed be of vital
Importance to him to have his horse ready
at hand.
With last wave of his hand he rode off,
the chief and his six companions trotting
alongside.
Thesun had set an hour when they reached
+ba en- Il at which the chief had directed his
two followers to meet him. They had not
yet arrived
"Do YOU think that they will be sure to
be able to fad the placer Ronald asked the
chief.
IA Fingo never loses his way" the chief
renlied. Find his way in the dark, all
same as day"
In spite of the chiefs assurance, Ronald
WAS ddpetty and anxious. He wrapped a
blanket round him, and walked restlessly
I'D and down. 1t was nearly an hour be-
fore the CHIEF, who, with his companions,
had thrown himself down and lighted
pipe, which passed from hand to hand, said
suddenly:
Ro aid listened intently, but could hear
nothing. moment later a dark figure
came up.
Kreta at once questioned him, and long
conversation took place between them.
What is he sa ing, chief! What is he
sayings" Ronald broke in impatienty sew
eral times; but 1t was not until the man
had finished that the C ief translated
"White girl alive, incos, the other two
women alive, but not live long, torture
them bad. Going to take the girl to Ma
como.n
THANK God for that" Ronald exclaimed
fervently, for he had ali day been tor
mented with the fear that Mary Armstrong
might have met with her fate directly she
was carried away.
"When are they going to take herF
ga lot Of them go OFT U1-nlght; go straight
to Amatolas; take her with them"
"How many, Kreta; will there be any
chance of attacking them on the wayW
The chief asked question of his messen-
ger.
'Heaps of them" he said to Ronald, for
the natives are incapable of counting be-
You'd very low figures 'Too many: no
chance to attack them; must follow behind
They show us the way"
"But how do we know whereabouts they
will come out of the wood, Kreta? It's
miles long; while we are watching at one
place, they may be off in another"
"That's so incos; no use to watch the
wood. We must go Oh to the Great Fish
river. Only two places where they can TO d
it. Double Drift and Cornetjies Drift
one hours walk apart. Put half one place
half the other; then when they pass, follow
afre and send mtse gers to fetch up
Others"
MT will do very we'll, chief; that's a
CAPT al idea o. yours. You are sure that
there's no other way they can goa"
Heaps of ways" the chief said, "but
those shortest ways-slre to go hort ways,
SO as to pass over ground quickly"
"What are they going back for?"
"No bullock in bush, incos, eaten
up all the things round, want to go
home to kraals ;beSides hear that many white
soldiers come over sea to go to Amatolas to
fight"
How far is it to these fordsp'
Three hours march. We just start now.
Kaffirs set out soon. Get on horse again"
Ronaid was not sorry to do so, for he felt
that in the dark he should run a considera-
BILE risk of tanning himself against stones or
stumps and in any case he would scratch
himself very severely with the thorns.
''Tell me, chief" he said, when they had
started, chow did your messenger learn
this. and what has become of your other
mp ~
MOT know about other man." the chief
said. Perhaps they caught him and killed
him; perhaps be is hiding among them a
dare not venture out. This man tell he g.
Into forest and creep and crawl for long
time, tnen at last he saw some Kaffirs come
along and so he followed them; 50 at las
tney came to the place in the bush where
was heap Of their fellows. They we're all
gathered round something, and he heard
women crying very loud. Presently some
Oh the men went away and he could see
What 1t was-two white women tied to
trees. The Kaffirs had st tipped them and
cut their flesh in many places. They die
very soon, perhaps to-Iignt or tomorrow
morning. Tnen be crawl up and lay in thu
pushes, very close, and listen to talk. He
nearo tnat tonight heap party go away to
AhaIo as am take white man as present
LOT Nacomo; en- otne Kaffirs come and
ne down all about, and he did not dare
move out till the light go away. Then he
ISL eLo buoASS q BOOQ pIoC0, Luetl
lie so0 up a.d rdn TO DrIAg tue news"
-. he has done very WE'LL" Ronald said:
tell MIN he shall be well rewarded Now
i GnInk he might as well go to the camp and
oell the officer there from me that two of
the white women have been killed: but
shat the other has Teen taken away, as /
hoped she would be, and that I am going
after her."
Message no use," the chief said after a
moments thought; better take him with
Us, may be useful by and by; may want to
send message
Perhaps 1t would be as as WELL" Ronald
agreed; land the message is of no real i'm
portance."
Alter three hours fast traveling-the
natVes going at run, in spite of the dark
ross OF the night, and Ronald leaving the
h fius eoSe, ana trusting 10 his horse to feel
~; us "ay-they came to the river; after max
.hg mario" examination of the bank, the
eeiei pronounced the ford to be quarter
~ ~ d nile lower down, and in few minutes
lucy came upon the spot where a road
crossed the river.
IN l think this is the way they are most
bhAsiy To take,n the chief said, when they
bbau crossed the stream. Country more
Oroken this way, aud further & ON towns,
w 80 much chance of meeti soldiers
t tou and l and four men will sta here;
oueee ipen 20 on to other ford, theu if they
o o.vs there, send ons man TO tell us; the