The times., 1897-03-29
III.

They oamped by the side of a river which
the sergeant would not swim before day,
| light having discreet regard for croco-
| dileS, busiest always and hungriest at sun
| down, Roberts prepared the deer meat for
| broiling, Wayne gathered material for the
| fire and Maxwell took the billies and went
| down to the river, fifty yards away, TO fill
| them with water. The wet season was
4 nearly over and the river was running low.
Already rocks and banks of shingly sand
showed above the stream dimlyin the even
ing light. Maxwell cautiously scrutiniZed
each muddy log and suspicious projection,
aware by experience how easily the long,
still amphibans might be mistaken for d
mud-imbedded tree trunk, but he saw no
signs and returned TO camp with his water
pals
As lie approached, the other two were
busy and did not hear him The sergeant
was STOPPING over the fire now lighted
coat was thrown aside and his shirt had
been diSarranged by the armfuls of wood
he had been carrying to the fire. A portion
of his waist was plainly seen in the light
of the flames. Maxwell looked and gasped
i
sergeant turned at the clatter and faced
him.
What's the matter, young un? BY
George, you look white! Is it a crocodile?"
He ran for his gun in almost panic, for
the pioneers held the lOathsome reptiles
in greater horror even than lions. Max
well had time to recover himself, and forced
laugh.
Il stumbled" he said. You're aw-
fully scared of the brutes, Wayne"
II am said the sergeant, with shud
der. Il was swimming to the UmbetZi
alongside MacMahon that time when he
and his horse were both pulled down. l
dream of it still
Maxwell rose up after supper, when
the other two lit their pipes. IL he had
been pale when he dropped the billy, he
was flushed now.
Sergeant he said, "if it's not against
orders, I'd like 10 try shot at those
brutes before dark, If there are any iy-
ing about on the banks.
"Of course, of course, old man. said
the sergeant easily. There's no COM
mandng officer about with bothering
regulations, and. to tell the truth. I'm
going TO leave the pioneers anyway. and
amt worrying about any prisoners. I'm
sorry for YOU, Maxwell, pom my soul. !
am, and if you want to escape. why.
man, I'll look the other way, and Rob-
crts, too, III help you. too; by Jovc, l
willr'
He spoke with almost anxious enthusi-
asn, a if he really would like TO see
Maxwell take his rifle and horse and ride
off, but the younger only smiled and walk
ed off TO the river. 1t was getting dark
rapidly. Crocodiles there were about, in
all probability, but the pioneer did not
look to see He waited minute, and
then, controlling his voice with an effort,
he sang out as carelessly as he could:
Il say, you fellows look here! 1 be-
leve this is a diamond"
The ruse succeeded. The two troopers |
came leisurely down from the camp. |
Maxwell glanced anxiously at them and |
his eyes lit up triumphanuy, for they were |
They had left their guns and |
pistols and belts by the fire.
"DiamondH' cried Wayne, his pipe be- |
tween his lips. Let's see, Maxi Every
things possible in Africa! Why not dia-
monds here as well as at Kimberly? |
Where is it?''
Man well was standing on the very brink |
Of the river. where the bank was two or |
three feet high above the swift water. |
Leisurely they approached him, coming to |
his side.
Let's see" said Wayne again.
Suddenly Max wen dashed between them.
running some twenty yards away from the
river. His rifle sprang to his shoulder;
his eye glanced keenly through the sights.
''WaCht cen beetle, you scoundrelsi''
he shouted in triumph Move a foot and
III drop YOU to the crocodiles! Wacht
cen beetje It's my turn nowi'