Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-08-24

that had been determined upon by himself
and Kreta.
"Well, think you have a chance at any
rate, the officer said, when he concluded.
"Of course the risk of detection in the
midst of the Kafirs would be tremendous,
but still there seems q possibility of your
escape. In any case no one can possibly
disapprove of your endeavor to save this
young lady from the awful fate that would
certainly be hers unless you can rescue her.
Poor grill Even though don't know her,
1t makes my blood run cold to think of an
English lady in the hands of those savages.
However, if 1 were not in command of the
convoy wnld gladly 60 with you and
take my chance"
As soon as the encampment was reached,
Kreta came up to Ronald.
Must change Clothes" he said, "and 20
| as Kafir." Ronald nodded his head, as he
had already decided that this step was abb
| solutely necessary.
"Must paint black, the chief went on,
show do that?"
'"The only way can see is to powder
some burnt wood and mix it with little
OIL"
Eyes, that do" the chief said.
81 will be with you in five minutes. 1
must hand over the command to the Cor
poral."
Corporal James" he said, when he went
up to him. 81 hand over the command
OF this detachment to you. You
are, of course, to keep by the wagons and
protect them to King Williamstown."
"But where are you going, Sergeant?"
the CORPORAL asked in surprise.
81 have arranged with Mr.. Nolan to 20
away on detached duty for two or three
days. 1 am going to try to get the unfor-
frrrao 10 H. -saI =
morning out Of the hands of the Kaffirs"
The Corporal looked at him as if he had
doubts as to his sanity.
Il may not succeed, Ronald went on,
"but am going to try. At any rate,
hand over the command to you. I quite
understand that Mr.. Nolan cannot give me
leave, and that run the risk of punish
ment ior leaving the convoy. but have
made up my mind to risk that"
"Wel, of course you know best, Sergeant;
but it seems to me that, punishment or no
punishment there is not much chance Of
your rejoin1ng the corps; it is just throwing
away your life going among them savages."
II don't think it is as bad as that"
Ronald said, although of course there is q
risk of it. AT any rate, Corporal, you can
take the convoy safely into King Williams
town. That's your part of the business"
Ronald then returned to the encampment
of the native levies. A number of sticks
were charred and then scraped. There was
no oil to be found, but as substitute the
charcoal was mixed with little cart grease.
Ronald then stripped, and was smeared all
over with the ointment which was then
rubbed into him. Some more powdered
charcoal was then sprinkled over him, and
this also rubbed until he was a shiny black,
the operation affording great amusement to
the Fingoes. Then a sort of petticoat con-
sisting of strips of hide reaching half way
down to the knee and sewn to leathern
belt was put round his waist, and his toilet
was complete. except as to his hair.
The chief looked puzzled, but after few
minutes consideration called to one of the
women and deliberately cut off her woolly
mop close to the scalp, and put it on to
Ronald's head. 1t fitted closely, for he,
like all the men, wore his hair cut quite short
to prevent its forming receptacle for dust.
The Fingoes applauded by clapping their
hands and performing wild dance around
Ronald, while the women who now crowded
up shrieked with laughter.
The chief walked gravely around him
two or three times and then pronounced
that he would pass muster. A bandolier
for cartridges, OF native make, was slung
over his shoulder, and with rifle in one
hand and a spear in the other, and two or
neck, Ronald would anywhere, unless
closely inspected, have passed as Kafir
warrior. In order to test his appearance he
strolled across to where Mr.. Nolan was in
specting the serving out of rations.
"What do you want?" the officer asked;
"the allowance for all the men has been
served out already; if you haven't got yours
you must speak to Kreta about it. can't
go into the question with each of you"
"Then you think will do very we'll. Mr..
Nolan?'
The officer started.
"Good heavens, Sergeant, is it you? I
had not the slightest conception of it. You
are certainly admirably disguised, and you
might walk through Cape Town without
any one suspecting you, but what are you
going to do about your feet? You will
never be able to get through the woods bare
footed?"
'I have been thinking of that myself"
Ronald said, land the only thing can see
is to get them to make me sort of sandal.
OF course it wouldn't do in the day time,
but at night it would not be observed, un-
less 1 were to 60 close to the fire or Light of
some sort"
Eyes, that would be the best plan," the
officer agreed. 81 dare say the women can
mar ufacture you something in that way.
There is the hide of that bullock we killed
yesterday, in the front wagon; it was black
one."
Ronald cut off portion of the hide and
went across to the natives and explained to
them what he wanted. Putting his foot on
the hide, piece was cut off large enough to
form the sole of the foot and come up about
an inch all round; holes were made in this
and it was laced on to the foot with thin
strips of hide. The hair was, of course, out
side, and Roland found it by no means IN
comfortable.
"You ride horse" the chief said. 'sback
10 bush. I take one fellow with me to bring
him back"
= Ronald was pleased with the suggestion,
for he was by no means sure how he should
feel after walk of ten miles in his new foot
gear.
To be continued.)
MOTHERS will find for their own debility
and weaknesses an excellent and gentle
tonic in DR.. d. Jayne's Tonic Vermifuge;
while, for their children. whether in weak
ness from the want of appetite, or worms, it
4 IL 81