The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1889-10-06


know where Macomo's kraal is we can go |
straight through the bush"
They went back to the path. The Fingo |
pointed to the exact position among tue
hills where Macomo's kraal was. There
were too intermediate ridges to be crossed,
but Ronald did notdoubt the Engo's power
to follow a nearly direct line to the spot.
sNow,n the chief said, ''you follow close
behind me. Never mind where you are GO
ing. Do not look at the trees or the rocks
or ANYTHING, but tread in my footsteps.
Remember f YOU tread on a twlg or make
the least sound perhaps some one notice it.
May be noticed anyhow. Fellows upon
the watch may see US moving through
the trees overhead, but must risk that; but
only don't make noise"
Ronald promised to obey the chiefs in
structions, and the party, again leaving the
path, took their way through the trees
straight into the valley. At times they
came to such precipitous places that they
were forced to make detours to get down
them. One of the men now went ahead,
the rest following at such distance that
they could Just keep him In sight through
the trees. From time to time he changed
his course, as he heard noises OF the sound
of voices that told HIM he was approaching
a kraal At times they came across patches
Of open ground When it was impossible
to avoid these they made no attempt to
cross them secretly, as they knew that the
sharp eyes of the sentries on the bill top
could look down upon them. They, there
fore, walked at a quiet pace, talking and
gesticulating to elch other as they went,
so that they might be taken for party
going from one kraal to another.
1t was o'clock in the evening, and the
sun had set some time when they approached
the kraal of Macono.
1t was a good sized village, and differed
little from the ordi AIRY Katfir kraal except
that two or three of the huts were large and
beehive shaped. There was good deal of
noise going on in the village; great fires
were burning, and round these hunters of
the Kaffirs were dancing, representing by
their action the cJnfiict in which they had
been engaged and the slaughter of their
enemies The women were landing round,
keeping up a monotonous song, 70 the
rhythm of which the men were dancing.
At the chiefs order, two of his men went
boldly forward into the village. Avoiding
the circles of light round the fires they
moved carelessly about, catching scraps OF
conversation here and there. In ten min
utes they returned to the party, who we're
hiding a hundred yards away.
the white woman is in the woman's hut,
next to that of Macomo."
"Are there any guards at the doorW
Ronald asked. The chief put the question.
mo. no guards had been placed there.
There were many women in the hut.
There was no fear of her escape. Besides,
If she got out where could she go tor
"Well, now, incos, what are we to doF"
the chief asked. ''We have brought you
here, and now we are ready to die if you
Tell us. WHAT you think we do nextp
"Wait bit, Kreta, l must think it
over"
Indeed Ronald had been thinking all day.
He had considered it probable that Mary
Armstrong would be placed in the hut of
one of the chiefs wives. The first question
was how to communicate with her. 1t was
almost certain that either some Of the
women would sit up all night or that SEN
tries would be placed at the door. Prob
ably the former. The Kaffirs had made a
long journey and had now doubtless been
gorging themselves with meat. T ey
would be disinclined to watch, aud would
consider their responsibility at an end when
they had handed her over to the women.
1t was almost certain that Mary herself
would be asleep after her fatigue of the last
three days; even the prospect of the terri
BILE fate before her would scarce suffer to
keep her awake"
"Do you think two women will sit up
with her all nightg'
1.-TWO or. three of them sure." Kreta re-
piled.
"My plan is this, Kreta; it may not sue
coed, but can think of no other. In the
first place l will go into the kraal. l will
wait until there is no one near the door, then
l will stoop and say ia a loud voice, so that
she may hear, that she is to keep awake at
night. Macomo's women are none of them
likely to understand English. and before
they run out to see what it is shall be gone.
If they tell the men they have heard a
strange voice speaking unknown words
they will be laughed at, or at most search
will be made through the kraal, and of
course nothing will we found. Then, to-
night, chief, when everything Is still, pro-
pose that three of you shall crawl with me
into the kraal. When we get to the door of
the hut you will draw aside the hide that
will be hanging over it and peep In. II only
ly two women are sitting by the fire in the
center, two Of you will crawl in as noise
| lessly as possible. / know that you can
crawl SO that the sharpest ear cannot hear
you. OF course, if there are three, three OF you
will go In; if tao, two only. You will crawl
up behind the wo men. suddenly seize them
by the throat and gag and bind them. Then
you will beckon to the young lady to follow
you. She will know from my warning that
you are friends. If she has light dress on,
throw dark blanket round her, for many
of the Kaffirs will go on feasting all night
and might see her In the light Of toe fire. Then
l. WILL uoI anu JOot mon lOA-
low us so as to stop the Kaftirs moment
and give us time to get into the bushes if
we are SEEM"
"Kreta will go himself" the chief said,
with two of his young msn. Do you not
think, incos, that there is danger in your
calling out?'
mot much danger. l think, Kreta. They
will not dream of white man being here,
in the heart of the Amatolas. / think there
is less danger in it than that the girl might
cry out if she was reused from her sleep by
men whom she did not know. She might
think that 1t was Macomo come home.n
Kreta agreed in this opinion.
81 will go down at once" Ronald said !;
''they're making such noise that it is I'M
likely any one outside the hut would hear
me, however loud Ispoke, while if waited
until IL got 1uieter, might be heard. Take
my rifle, Kreta, and one OF the pistols;
want to carry nothing extra with me- in
case have to make sudden bolt for 1t. :"
Mary Armstrong was lying apparently
unnoticed by the wall Of the hut. while
dozen women were chattering round the
fire in the center. Suddenly she started; for
from the door, which was but three feet
high, there came a loud, clear voice,
MARY Armstrong, do not sleep tonight.
Rescue is at hand"
The women started to their feet with a
cry of alarm at these mysterious sounds,
and stood gazing at the entrance; then there
was a clamor of tongues. and presently one
of them older than the rest walked To the