The Florida agriculturist. [volume] (DeLand, Fla.) 1878-1911, 1893-02-08

ton: Am I not warning against Heav-
en-? Gam l not rebelling against the
will of God in thus penetrating this
awful solitude in search for a human
life which only a miracle could have
kept from destruction? Are not my at
tempts as foolhardy as they are pre-
sumptuous?"
Godfrey made answer to these doubts
and misgivings, for at that moment his
clear, ringing voice reached her ear,
carrying balm and comfort to her
anxious heart. She hesitated no
longer. She turned an inquiring gaze
toward the horizon of this vast ocean
Of sand as she had often fixed her weary
sea, hoping and praying that the white
sails of the Dreadnaught might covne
slowly into sight.
Upon drawing near to the Murchi-
son and McDouall ranges the native
scouts made known to Col Marks the
appalling fact that they had already
fallen in with stragglers of a native
camp, from whom they had learned
that in a quarrel between one of the
chiefs and his brother a white captive
had been slain. Col. Marks dared not
make known to Mrs. Allaire the dread
full news. True, there was possibility
that this white prisoner might not be
Capt. John, but the name of the tribe
and the additional fact that it was ac-
customed to pay yearly visits to the
northwestern coast gave the awful It'd
ings the stamp of likelihood. 1t was
nearly two months before the camel
train reached Tenants Creek station.
Several of the wells along the route had
been found dry and the animals suf-
fered greatly, being barely able to drag
themselves along at the last.
Scarcely had the tents been pitched
and the exhausted men thrown them
selves upon the ground for long-needed
sleep when one of the youngest of the
native scouts crept stealthily past the
guard and reused Godfrey.
''Quick, little MASTER" he whispered,
"quick, bring gun, follow me, no talk!''
It seems that in making choice of
Godfrey the native had done SO solely
on account of the youths extraordinary
courage, agility and quickness of move
ment. just as one might choose a certain
dog or horse to attain certain end.
The child of the desert knew exactly
what was needed. He had no faith in
the grown members of the band. They
might, in their supposed superior
knowledge, stop to reason, rouse the
band, raise voice above whisper or
be too slow in advancing on their hands
and knees.
Godfrey had not removed his pistol
from his belt. Reaching for his rifle,
he joined the scout and stole silently
out of the camp. Once out of sight and
hearing, the scout made known to God
frey that white captive had not been
already put to death as at first reported,
but that he had been delivered into the
hands of the chiefs brother, who, with
several of the tribe, were to put him to
death that morning before the rescue
party should become aware of his pres
ence so near at hand.
1t called for the greatest precaut1on
on the part of Godfrey and the native
scout in approaching the Indian camp.
A single startled cutlery of bird or beast
would be sure to warn the savages of
the approach of an enemy. The last
quarter of a mile it became necessary
to advance by crawling through the tall
grass. Although hampered by the
weight of his rifle, Godfrey, by great
exertion, succeeded in keeping up with
the scout.
The execution was to take place at