Evening star., 1895-10-31

her, taking pains before to prevent her
from being injured. AS he left the chamber
she felt and heard him wrench the pine
torch from the wall and throw it down.
Presently she was aware that he was
| wading in water. and moment later they
were in the comparatively clear light of
the WilkenS mine.
Wanga deposited bis burden upon rock
and hurried back. When he appeared again
he had Sam in his arms. He carried him
from the mine, and was gone two or three
minutes. Just as he was returning she
heard a familiar voice saying something
about q cold bath.
She recognized it as that of John Martin.
and the response which she could rot dis
tinguiSh was uttered by Will! How she
| longed to cry out! How she struggled TO
free herself! and how vainly!
There was the perspiration of anxiety on
Wanga's brow as he took her up again.
but he smiled that cruel smile of his he
saw that she was struggling to get away.
Patience. lady he whispered, land We
shall elude them
He bore her from the miEe and rapidly
climbed the ridge into which it had been
driven. JUS over the summit they came
upon Sam. Wanga had laid him Ipon the
ground Under tree. In the clear light
Elsie could see that he was suffering rot
only from fever, but from wounds. His
head and face We're bruised and tn ere was
a bandagc around one of his knees.
Wanga set Elsie down and then crawled
hack en- his belly to the top of the ridge
ard peered down toward the mine. He lay
there for several minutes, and Elsie could
hear him chuckle. After time he rose
and walked down to her with a 1.-the. buoy
ant stride, his face cleaning with triumph.
"Wanga can beat the world!' he said.
"How is it?' asked Sam.
They've gone en-" replied the black
| man. "Iia! they've searched the cave and
the mine. and We're as safe there now if
we were in the heart of Africa. Never
fear. lady, they shall rot take you away
from me until I'm ready to let you co.
me here. If they've gone on they won't
see me- end if they should it wouldn't give
you away"
mo. no. Sam" protested Wanga, leaning
over his colnrade. II cannot let you stay
here. They VIII surely take you"
1T wouldn't matter" declared :he sick
| man, I'm done for. like he warmth of
the open air better than that cold dripping
hole in the ground You'll be digging hole
for me tomorrow, and I'd rather die here"
SAM cried the black man, in evident dis
tress, you're not going to die! Think of
the diamonds, the PRESIDENT
Sam shook his head.
You can't rouse me- he said. Take the
girl and hide her. Look out for yourself,
boy
Wanya, with a very troubled expression
on his face, picked Elsie up and carried her
back into the cavern, where he left er and
returned to Sam. He was gone 4 long time.
but when he returned he brought the invalid
with him. They then converSad in whispers.
tine revolver is loaded. Sam.' said Wanga
aloud, after a tine. You'll lot be too sick
to use it. Mind. if you hear noise of men
| coming in, shoot
| He CROPPED around until he found The pine
| torch, which he lit BY its lgnt he laid Sam
| in a comfortable position, directly in the
| entrance to the chamber.
There he said, you see where she sits
You've only 20 raise your hand and fire
| straight ahead. You can't miss her. even If
the torch burns out and you are left in the
| dark
| you'll give me your signal when you
| Gomez" asked Sam very feebly.
| ''Of course. Now, lady, we nave every
| thing arranged will relieve you of the gag -
He took the handkerchief from EIses
| mouth.
| '1f she speaks above a whisper SAM he
| concluded, you'd better shoot
| With that he hastened up the cave in the
| direction away from the mine.
| (ro be continued tomorrow)