The enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 188?-1899, 1890-05-14
CHAPTER XII.

l
We gained the spot by the strean
where Stella had been taken. The ma
tiyes looked at the torn ftarments O
the dogs, and at the marks bf violence
and heard them swearing 70 each othel
that whether the Star lived or died they
would not rest until they had ertermi
mated every baboon on BabSan's Peak.
echoed the oath, and, as jhall be seen,
we kept it. aaE
We started on along the stream, fol.
lowing the spoor OF the btboons as we
best could. But the strbam left NO
spoor, and the hard, rocky banks but
little. Still we wandered On. All night
we wandered through the lonely moon
III valleys, startling the silence into q
thousand echoes with our cries But no
answer came to them. In vain our eyes
searched the sides Of predipices formed
Of water-riven rocks fantastically 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 q breaking
heart ! can not describe my feelings
Lot the reader put himself In my posi-
tion 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 propne-
sled, and In every case his prophecies
had proven true. He 1t 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 1t 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
soc. At the least / know that you can
do strange things Can you not
help me nowP II you can, and will save
her, l will give you half the cattle that
we have here" rI
II never said any thing OF the sort,
Macumazahn," he answered. 81 DO
'hings, / do not talk about them.
do ] seek reward for what do !
Ike common witch-doctor. II Is we'll
hat you have asked me to use my wis
lom, AaoumaEahn, for should not
,ave used II again without being asked
mo, not even for the sake Of the Star
md yourself, whom love, for II 90 my
pirit would have been angry. In the
'ther matters ! had part, for my life
vas concerned S well as yours; but in
his matter I have no part, and there
ore might not use my wisdom unless
'ou thought well 70 call upon my spirit.
However, II would have been no good 10
SIX me before, for / have only Just
ound the herb I want" and he produced
handful Of leaves Of plant that was
TO me. Il had prickly leaves,
haped very much Like those Of the com
hon English nettle. i i1q
'Now, MsoumAzshn," hs went on,
bid the men leave US alone, and then
blow me presently 70 the little GLADE
own there by the water"
! did so. When reached the GLADE I
'und Indaba-zimbi kindling . small fire
nder the shadow Of q tree by the edge
the water. 'nis5
"Sit there, Macumazahn," he said,
ointing tos stone near the fire, sand
not be surprised or frightened at any
ling you sec. II you move or call out
Q shall learn nothing"
n lII TTo nv f,ourruryyr,I