The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1890-11-21
CHAPTER XII.

We gained the spot by the stream
where Stella had been taken. The ma
tives looked at the torn fragments Of
the dogs, and at the marks of violence,
and heard them swearing to each other
that whether the Star lived or died they
would not rest until they had extermi.
mated every baboon on Babyan's Peak.
echoed the oath, and, as shall be seen,
we kept it.
We started on along the stream, fol.
lowing the spoor of the balloons as we
best could. But the stream left nc
spoor, and the hard, rocky banks but
little. Still we wandered on. All night
we wandered through the lonely moon.
lit valleys, startling the silence into a
thousand echoes with our cries. But nc
answer came to them. In vain our eyes
searched the sides of precipices formed
of water-riven rocks Enthusiastically piled
one upon another; in vain we searched
through endless dells and fern-clad
crannies. There was nothing to be
found. How could we expect to find two
human beings hidden away in the re-
cesses of this vast stretch of mountain
ground, which no man yet had ever fully
explored2 They were lost, and in all
human probability lost forever.
To and fro we wandered hopelessly,
till at last dawn found US footsore and
weary nearly at 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 stone with breaking
heart. can not describe my feelings.
Let the reader put himself in my posi-
ton and perhaps he may get some idea
of them. Near me was old Indaba-
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 prophe-
sled, and in every case his prophecies
had proven true. He it was who, when
we escaped from the Zulu Impi, had told
me to steer north, because there we
should find the place of a white man
who lived under the shadow of great
peak that was full of balloons. Perhaps
he could help in this extremity-at any
rate it was worth trying.
"lndaba-zimbi," said, "you say that
you can send your spirit through the
doors of space and see what we can not
see. At the least know that you can
do strange things. Can you not
help me now? If you can, and will save
her, will give you half the cattle that
we have here"
Il never said any thing of the sort,
Macumazahn," he answered. 81 Go
things, / do not talk about them.
Neither do l seek reward for what do
like a common witch-doctor. 1t is we'll
that you have asked me to use my wis
dom, Macumazahn, for / should not
have used it again without being asked
no. not even for the sake of the Star
and yourself, whom love, for if so my
spirit would have been angry. In the
other matters had part, for my life
was concerned as we'll as yours; but in
this matter / have no part, and there
fore might not use my wisdom unless
you thought we'll to call upon my spirit.
However, it would have been no good to
ask me before, for have only just
found the herb want" and he produced
handful of leaves of plant that was
unfamiliar to me. 1t had prickly leaves,
shaped very much like those of the COM
mon English nettle.
Snow, Macumazahn," he went on,
"bid the men leave us alone, and then
follow me presently to the little glade
down there by the water"
/ did so. When I reached the glade I
found Indaba-zimbi kindling small fire
under the shadow of tree by the edge
of the water.
"Sit there, Macumazahn," he said,
pointing to stone near the fire, land
do not be surprised or frightened at any
thing you see. If you move or call out
we shall learn nothing"
TO RE CONTINUED.