Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1891-10-02


stay at Howick until had time to think the
matter out
Toward midday l observed a mule cart
lowing along the road from the direction of
leteT hlaI1tzburg. On reaching the hotel it
pu4led up close to where | was standing, and
| Iiiere steppet out an officer in uniform, whom
recognized as DR.. Mills, of the army medi-
cal department.
we had met frequently at headquarters,
and Knowing him to be a man of some judg-
Iheht ana decision OF character, determined
20 make confdant of him
Having embarrassed and partaken of re-
freshments, he expressed a wish to see the
Ongam falls, magnificent cascade in the
immediate neighborhood, falling from a
height of more than 800 feet. The roar of its
waters could be heard from where we were
standing
| hailed this opportunity of making my
communication, and volunteered to accom-
pany him.
When well out of earshot explained all
the circumstances of my position and the
doubts | entertained of DinelIi. He listened
attentively.
And now what do you suggestgn he asked,
after | had ended.
Ny idea was this: He being on his way to
Helpmakaar with a supply of medical COM
forts Tor the troops, was to permit me to ex-
change loads with him, allowing me to trans
fer the contents of his vehicle to mine while
placed the specie in his He was then TO
drive on by Currie's post and Colenso to
LadySmlth, where the money could be placed
III charge OF the resident magistrate until my
arrival
But how about yourself?' he asked. 'If.
as you seem to think, they have a suspicion
OF what you carry, you will be murdered to
a certainty. l never saw more cuttbroat
looking set of scoundrels in my life than those
worthless of Osiertons Horse. Besides, how
can the exchange be effected without excit-
ing suspicion!"
Il have thought of that" l returned.
After breakfast | had a private interview
with Mrs Padley, and upon my pressing
representations obtained her consent to have
the boxes removed to a room at the back of
the premises. A door from thence leads into
the new lager, as place of exit, should the
hotel be attacked and become untenable
From that room think should be able, after
nightfall, to make the necessary transfer. nm
observed, you causing your conveyance to
be taken to the back of the house. heard
department, was expected in with some
workmen and, as he is a iovial sort of fell
low, always spending his money pretty
freely, there will no doubt be a carouse.
"As regards myself" l added, "they will
feel secure, having announced my intention
of not starting till late tomorrow morning.
two OF my mules being slightly lame This
luckily happens to be the case. Should this
off all Ii,rl 7
after allowing you a good start. and if |
reach Currie's Post unmolested. will remain
there for the night, and on the following
morning endeavor to reach Ladysmith by
Bavian's Poort and the old road"
Il think the plan a risky one for Won.
whichever way you look at it, y he observed:
'but you may rely upon my cooperation
thanked him heartily, and remarked that
his own share was not free from danger. at
which he laughed
After viewing the falls we returned to the
hotel.
The advent of Mr.. Shore led, as was antici-
pated, to a Notification, and l Joined in it
with apparent zest, slipping away every now
and then to remove packet from the doc
tors cart, replacing it by one of the boxes.
until the exchange had been fully completed.
hAN-AO
me- DR.. Mills, at an early hour, harnessed
in a leisurely hummer, stood chatting with
me for few minutes on Indifferent subjects
within hearing of the people about, and then
drove away.
gave a sigh Of relief as l saw the mules
turn round the corner that shut out the view
of the house and disappear in the scrub lined
road below.
Turning back to the hotel, encountered
the Italian, in company with Osierton and
Mondrum. "WelI captain, said the latter,
when do you start: Can we help you to
load the ammunition"
''Thank you," l said coolly; ''it is done
already didn't like to trust to chance, as
accidents often happen"
Yes; it might go off, you know" said
Osierton, jeeringly; and they all three
laughed.
was now convinced that Dinelli had by
some means become acquainted with the fact
of the dispatch of the gold, so | determined
to delay my departure as long as possible, in
order to enable DR.. Mills to reach Currie's
post in sufficient time to halt, rea his mules,
and then resume his journey, by which time
the safety of the consignment would be Sc
cure.
| answered the trio with a Jest, and nv
spirits rose at the thought of having outwit-
ted the scoundrels.
l noticed that they did not communicate
with any other members of the band, so con-
Guided that if they had any enterprise in
hand they meant to keep it to themselves.
When the time arrived that | had decided
to start l ordered the driver to harness. hay
ing previously hired two fresh mules from a
farmer in the neighborhood When all was
ready | drove away.
A number Of the men were standing about
but | did not observe DinelIi or his two new
friends.
Carefully examining my revolver, which
was loaded i'll all six chambers, | brought it
conveniently to my hand, and prepared for
whatever might happen.
There was only one part of the road where
| could be attacked at disadvantage, and
this was situated about half way between the
falls and Currie's Post, at a bend round
narrow shoulder of rock Before coming in
sight of this place l pulled up few mo-
ments, and, addressing the driver, said:
'Now, my man, want you, on reaching
Botha's Mex to drive your hardest round the
bend, and tear at full speed down the hill into
the open. fear [ am going to be attacked,
but nothing must stop you. There is SOW
ereign, and if we reach Currie's Post l will
give you another. But should you hesitate
for moment-see this and l pointed to my
revolver.
"Hi!" he yelled as he caught the coin 1
threw to him. Then, fouriShing his huge
whip, and calling the animals by their names,
he urged them on in the usual Hottentot
fashion.
had determined to push boldly on, con-
Guiding that DR.. Mills would by this time
have reached his destination; for my life
would certainly pay the forfeit should they
discover the.ruse had practiced.
On reaching the point had indicated, the
driver rose in his seat and brought his whip
down with crack like pistol shot, taking
the critical tll1:u at a hreak knock mace But as