Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1893-06-22

| fifty miles, and several weeks were spent
| In covering this distance. But, al
| though the advance was slow, the mem
bers Of the expedition, thanks 10 the adj
mirable precautions which had been
taken by Col. Tom Marks, continued in
the best Of health and spirits. Early
and late in her saddle, sharing the IA
tigues OF the march without a murmur,
cheering and inspiring everyone by her
indomitable courage and inexhaustible
confidence in her own ability 10 accom-.
plish the mighty work which she had
set herself Molly lowered around and
about the little band like an angel OF
| light and sweetness, like guiding
spirit deputed by Heaven 10 sustain,
direct and preserve.
Next TO | n II was Godfrey who knew
how TO work himself into the rugged
but honest hearts Of the members Of the
band The skill with which he rode,
tho accuracy Of his aim as a rineman,
and the readiness and ease with which
he took 10 his life In the Australian
bush were soon all powerful enough 10
chase away the last frown from Zach
French's face.
"A wonderful resemblance" no NUT
tered TO himself III had not buried
little Walt myself, I'd believe that lad
was Capt. Johns own boy"
But u Godfrey's success in making
friends with the white members Of the
expedition was such as TO carry Joy TO
Molly's heart she, as well rs Col.
Marks and Zach, was astounded at the
devotion shown 20 the lad by the half
breeds and Indian guides To them
this wonderful boy was constant
source Of surprise and delight His
courage, his surprising strength and
agility, his horsemanship, his marks.
manship, his kindness and gcntlcncss
charmed and fascinated them. The
dainticst tidbits Of game and the ripcst
fruits were laid at the door OF Godfrcy's
tent And, TO add still further TO the
long list OF the boys accomplishments,
IL was discovered that since he had been
in service on the Australian coast he
had picked up quito vocabulary of the
native dialects, 30 that he now had ex.
pcricnccd no difficulty in understanding
the jargon spoken by the native guides
II might not be out Of place to state
here that this was far from being the
first camel train that had been sent out
into the Australian wilderness. II was
in 1883 that Mr. Elder imported from
India n large number Of cancls, togcth.
or with their Afghan drivers These
animals have done well in Australia,
and beyond all doubt It was due to the
fact that Col. Warburton made use Of
these ships of the desert that he was
enabled TO accomplish his daring ride
from Alice Springs station to Rock.
bourne, Nichol li9y ON the coast Of De
Witt Land
II David Lindsay, Mt a.lntcr date, sue.
cccdcd In crossing the continent from
north to south with the aid Of pacl,
horses only, IL WIS because he kept
close to the government roads and tclc.
graph lines and did not risl, himself in
the wilderness which would have been
powerless to sustain the life Of his
train.
The expedition reached Alice Springs
station in good form. Here halt was
made In order TO transfer the baggage
and supplies TO the backs Of the pack
to make most searching examination
Of each member OF his band, in order To
weed out any who showed signs Of
breaking down. A week was thus con-
sumed, when, Mt n command from Mol
ly, the camel train moved slowly and
silently out into the sandy wastes Of
the Great Victoria desert
AS Molly, from her lofty scat on one
Of the ships Of the desert, cast her eyes
over this apparently limitless waste,
her heart sank within her for brief
moment ns she asked herself the qucs-
ton; Am not warning against Ileav.
emp Am not rebelling against the
will Of God In thus penetrating this
awful solitude in search for human
life which only n miracle could have
kept from destruction? Arc 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 10 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
eyes upon the limitless expanso OF the
sea, hoping and praying that tho white
sails of the Dreadnaught might come
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 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 20 Mrs. Allaire the dread
full news. True, there was possibility
that this white prisoner might not be
Capt, John, but the name Of tho tribe
and tho additional fact that II was ac-
customed TO pay yearly visits TO the
northwestern coast gave the awful It'd
ings tho stamp Of likelihood. II was
nearly two months before tho camel
train reached Tenants Creek station
Several OF the wells along the route had
been found dry and the animals suf
fercd 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 tho ground for long needed
sleep when one Of the youngest OF tho
native scouts crept stealthily past tn,
guard and reused Godfrey.
"Quick, little MASTER" he whispered
quick, bring gun, follow me, no tnlkl'
II seems that in making choice OF
| Godfrey the NATIVE hnl dome 81 sotal,