The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1895-09-07
CHAPTER XIII.
WHAT HAPPENED TO STELLA.

QH uEuG w do OfCL. @AA eA> w -~
lost seven men killed, and several moro
were severely bitten, while but few had
escaped without some tokens whereby
he might remember what Daboon's
teeth and claws are like. How many Of
the brutes we killed never knew, be-
cause we did not count, but it was vast
number. should think that the stock
must have been low about Babyan's
Peak for many years afterwards. From
that day to this, however, I have always
avoided balloons, feeling more afraid OF
them than any beast that lives
The path was clear, and we rushed
forward up the water-course. But first
we picked up little Tota. The child
was not in a swoon, as I had thought,
but paralyzed by terror so that she
could scarcely speak. Otherwise she
was u1hurt, though 1t took her many
week to recover her nerve. Had she been
older, and had she not remembered
Hendrika, doubt if she would have re-
covered it. She knew me again, and
flung her little arms: about my neck,
eclingipg to me SO closelyathatz did not
e sS I'D Id Z, TO onE Ger IN; errors : So
went on with her in my arms. The
fears that pierced my heart may well be
imaeined. Should find Stella alive or
dead? Well, we should soon know now.
We stumbled on up the stony water
course; Notwithstanding the weight OF
Tota led the way, for suspense lent
me wings. Now we were through, and
an extraordinary scene lay before US.
We we're in great natural amphithea-
ter, only it was three times the size OF
any amphitheater ever shaped by man,
and the walls were formed CT pcec'p-
itous cliffs, ranging from one to two
hundred fcct in height. For the rest,
the space thus inclosed was level, stud
ded with park-like trees, brilliant with
flowers, and having stream running
through the center of it, that, as I after
wards discovered, welled up from the
ground at the head of the open space.
We spread yourselves out in hne'
searching everywhere. for Iota was 700
overcome to be able to tell Is where,
Stella was hidden away. For nearly
half an hour we searched and searched,
scanning the walls OF rock for any pos
sible opening to cave. IN vain we
could fil.d none. I applied to cid In
aaba-zimbi, but his foresight Was at
fault here. All he cculd say was that
this was the place, and that the Star
was hidden somewhere in c2Tc, oue
where the cave was ho could not tell.
At last we came to the top OF the aEpnl-
theater. There before US was avail OF
rock, of which the lover parts we're
here and there clothed in grasses,
ichens and creepers. I walked along
it. calling at the top Of my voice.
Presently my heart stood still, Tor
thought heard a faint answer. dre"
nearer to the place from which the
sound seemed to come. and again called.
Yes, there was:an' answer IN my wife
voice. 1t seemed to co!ne from the rock.
I went up to it and searched among the
creepers, but still could find no: opening
Move the stone. cried Stcuas voice,
"thc cave is shut with a stone"
l took a spear and prodded at the
cliff whence tho socnd came Suddenly
the spear sunk in through ? Mass OF
lichcn. swcpt.the licEcl a:i.!c, reveal
ing q bowldcr that hid been rolled into
an opening in tie rock, w:lich It lifted SO
accurately that, covered rs it was by the
ovcrhanging lichen, it might well have
escaped the keenest eye. We dragged
the bowldcr OUTFIT was Two meas "oIk
to do it. Beyond vas a narrow, water
worn passage, which followed With
beating heart. Presently the passage
opened into q small cave, shaped like
pickle bottle, and coming 30 a neck at
the top end. VI passed through. ana
found oursolv il a.second: much larger
cave. tnat l at once recognized as the
one of which Indaba-zimbi had shown
me vision in the water. Light reached |
it from above-hoW | know not-2nd by !
it l could see form half sitting, half |
lying on some skins. at the top end Of
the cave. I rushed to it. 1t was Stella.
Stella bound with strips of hide, bruised,
torn, but still Stella. and alive.
She saw me. She gave one CO., then IS
l caught her in my arns She tainted. 1t
was happy indeed that she did not faint
before, for had it not been for the sound |
Of her voice do not believe we should !
ever have found that cunningly-hid1cn
,aya unlcss indeed. Inlaba-Z;inbi'S |
magic ION which be blessings had come
to our u ;Si:ta&c3. -..
We bore her TO the open ar. laid boz
beneath the Shade of I tree. AID cut the;
bonds loose from her ankles: +" AZ we
went I glanced at tho cave. 1t was ex-