The leader., 1897-08-11
A HAZARDOUS MISSION.
BY CHAS. D. LESLIE.
EsessssessessesseseseeseG
WHEN Pepworth Tring, the well

JNTHEN Pepworth Tring, the well.
wv known South African million.
sjre, sent for me, and after inquiring
If was at liberty for few weeks, said
that he was about to commission me to
take small map to his Johannesburg
representative, ! was rather surprised
that he should go to the expense of u
special messenger when the postal serv-
ice was available.
at seems very simple undertaking,
] said.
But he speedily enlightened me.
"Ah, that's where you are wrong" he
replied, giving me u shrewd glance. 'In
this case the post is not to be trusted,
and an unscrupulous enemy will strain
every nerve to defeat my intention"
My present employer, u well-known
Kimberley man, who had lately turned
his attention to the Witwatersrandt
gold mines, was middle-aged, about 80,
but looked more, owing to the hard and
adventurous life he had led. His tanned,
weather-beaten face appeared common
place enough, but behind the small
steady gray eyes lay quick brain and
unerring Judgment. Few, indeed, could
boast with any degree of truth of ever
having got the better of Pepworth
Tring. AS judge of diamonds also he
had barely an equal. All this | knew
from common hcarsay.
You anticipate there will be an at
tempt to rob me during the Journey"
II am quite sure of it, The matter on
the face of it is simple enough. This
map" Che held up small piece of parch-
ment a few square inches in size-it
appeared to represent the course of a
river, some red crosses were marked on
one portion, and some lines of writing
ran along the bottom)-"has to be
given to Mr.. Howard, of Fox street,
Johannesburg. There your mission
ends. But whether you will be able to
accomplish it is another matter. Glib
sOn, my old partner, is determined to
obtain possession of this map by some
means; he is rich, unscrupllous, and
can command the services of men even
more unscrupulous than himself. This
is the reason l do not trust the post.
The corruption prevalent among all
Boer officials extends to the post office;
my letters have been opened. He has
creatures there in his employ. You
must trust no one, and conceal the
paper In such a manner that it cannot
be found"
But while on board ship it would
surely be better to cntrust il to the cap
tain or purser?"
THAT would be risky, and only post
pone their attack on you. If you re-
ceived the map back safely you would
without doubt be robbed of it between
Capetown and Johannesburg. No;
when the boat reaches Capetown, they
must be under the impression that you
are not the bearer"
when am to leave London?"
"The Roman leaves the docks to-
morrow and Plymouth on Saturday.
1our berth is booked; Gibson is also "a
passenger, and several of his following.
But perhaps l had better explain why
this map is so important.
Gibson, like myself, is an old Kim
berley man. We both did very well
there, and lately, like me, he has been
dealing in Transvaal mining property.
We have often gone partners in various
Undertakings. In the autumn of '04,
Oelng then in Johannesburg-about six
months ago-and feeling the want of q
holiday, | determined to GO on a shoot
ing expedition through the Transvaal
towards the sea. Accompanied by two
Lulus, carried out my intention, and
after some weeks travelling we found
ourselves in the low country bordering
on Switzerland. Here quite by chance
i made remarkable discovery. In the
drled-up channel of what had been a
liver | came upon traces of diamonds.
Inc find TO my eyes WIS most promis-
ing; but before could pursue my in
Vestigations further, one of my Zulus,
dispatched to get food from neighbor-
ing kraal, came hot-foot with the news
that the Swazis were up in arms. Irri-
la'cd by some act of Boer oppression.
'hey seemed inclined to wreak their
vengeance on me, and so we fled forth
win Tor our very lives. Before leaving,
l. Grew up plan of the place, so that It
could be found again.
After various adventures reached
Durham, and took ship for England.
meeting Gibson in London, l acquainted
MIN In general terms with my dis
eoVery, stating that in the course of my
!ourneying had found diamonds. / had
intended to take him into partnership
IN this affair, but the knowledge which
! gained Immediately afterwards that
ne had swindled me in the matter of
some gold mines changed my purpose,
ana broke with him for good.
NOW the value of my find is prob
iematical. Diamonds have not yet been
iound in paying quantity in the Trans
saai' This place may be second Kim
pefiey, and shake the De Beers monopo-
Y. 1t is quite possible. Therefore l
want the ground pegged out in the
usual way, and to register myself as the
owner; but if Gibson could get hold of
the map he would forestall me. 1t is
NOT convenient for me to go myself just
now as have some important busi-
- less In hand; so not to delay obtaining
"e claims, i have ordered Howard to
Peg them out and register in my name,
ou' ne can do nothing until he has the
particulars contained in this. Now, do
You understand?"
les; but how far is Gibson cog
n'aant of your plans?"
ne has found out that intend send
hR the map Immediately 10 Johannes.