Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1890-05-30
CHAPTER VII


We gained the spot by the stream where
Stella had been taken. The natives look
ed at the torn fragme hts of the dogs, and
at the marks of violence, and l heard
them swearing to each other, that whether
the Star lived or died they would not rest
till they had exterminatcd every baboon
on Babyan's Peak. l echoed the oath, and,
As shall be seen, we kept it.
We started on along the stream follow
ing the spoor of the balloons as we best
could. But the stream left no spo0r, and
the hard, rocky banks but little. Still we
wandered on. All night we wandered
through the lonely moonlit valleys, start
ling the silence into a thousand echoes
with our cries. But no answer came to
them.
In vain our eyes searched the sides of
prrcipCes formed of water-riven rocks
Enthusiastically piled one upon another; in
vain we searched through endless dells
and fern-clad crannies There was moth
Ing TO be found. How could we expect to
find two human beings hidden away in the
reccsSes OF this vast stretch of mountain
ground, which no man yet had ever fully
explored? They were lost, and in all HUI
man probability lost foreverl
To and fro we wandered hopelessly, till
at last dawn found us footsorc and weary
nearly ut the spot whence we had started.
We sat down waiting for the sun to rise,
and the men ate of such food as they had
brought with them, and sent to the kraals
for more.
| sat upon n stone with breaking heart.
! cannot describe my feelings. Let the
reader put himself in my position, and
perhaps he NAV get some idea of them.
Near me was old Iudaba-zimbi. who sat
staring straight before him as though he
were looking into space, and taking note
of what went on there. An idea struck
me. This man had some occult power
Several times during our adventures he
had prophesied, and in every case his
prophecies had proved true He it was
who, when we escaped from the Zulu
lmpi, had told me to steer north, because
there we should find the place of A white
man who lived under the shadow of a great
peak that was full of balloons. Perhaps
he could help in this extremitv-at any
rate 1t was worth trying
"ludaha zlmbi," said "you say that
you can send your spirit through the doors
OF space and see what we cannot see. At
the least know that you can do strange
things. Can you not help me now9 II you
can, and will save her, will give you har
the cattle that we have here"
Il never said anything of the sort, Ma
cumazahn," he answered. II do things,
do not talk about them. Neither do l
seek reward for what do likea common
Wltch-doctor r. is we'll that you have
asked me to use my wisdom, Macuma-
yQhn ~ I 4
without being asked-nO. not even for the
sake OF the Star and yourself. whom
love, for if 50 my Spirit would have been
angry.
In the other matters had a part, for
nv lie was concerned as wen as yours:
out IN this matter | have no part, ana
therefore l might not use my wisdom I'M
less YOU thought well to call upon NV
Spirit. However, it would have been no
good To ask me before, for have only lust
found the herb want" and he produced
handful of leaves CT plant that was I'M
familiar to me. II had pricklv leaves,
shaped very much like those OF the com.
mon English nettle
Now, Macumazahn," he went on. ibid
the men leave us alone, and then follow me
presently to the little glade down there by
the water"
did so When l reached the glade I
found Indaha-zimbi kindliug small fire
under the shadow of q tree by the edge of
the water
Sit there. Macumszshn, " he said. point
ing TO stone near the fire, land do not be
surprised or frightened at ANYTHING Won
see. II You move or call out we shall
learn nothing"
sat down and watched. When the fire
was sught and burning brightly. the old
fellow stripped himself stark naked. and.
going to the foot OF the pool. dipped him
selt 10 the water. Then he came back
shivering with the cold. aud. leaning over
the little fire, thrust leaves of the plant
have mentioned into his mouth and be- |
gau TO chew them, mutteriuE as he chew /
ed. Most of the remaining leaves he threw /
on to the fire. A dense smoke rose from i
them, but he held his head in the smoke |
and drew it down into his lungs till | saw
that he was exhibiting every sign Of suf- [