The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-07-25
THE SPECIAL ENVOY.


weeks, said that he was about to commits
sion me to take a small map to his johann
nesburg representatives, I was rather sur
prised that he should go to the expense of
a special messenger when the postal service
was available
1T seems a very simple undertaking" 1
said.
But he speedily enlightened me.
All, that's where you are wrong" he
replied, giving me shrewd glance. in
this case the post is not to be trusted, and
an INSCRIPTIONS enemy will strain every
nerve to defeat my intention"
You anticipate there will be an attempt
to rob me during the Journey"
Il 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 few square inches in size-it APP
peared to represent the course of a river,
for some red crosses were marked on one
portion and some lines of writing ran along
the bottom) has to be given 10 Mr.. How
ard, of Fox street, Johannesburg There
your mission ends. But whether you will
be able to accomplish it is another matter.
Gibson, my old partner, is determined to OBJ
tain possession of this map by some means.
the services of men even more INSCRIPTIONS
than himself This is the reason ] 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 board ship it would surely
be better to intrust it to the captain or
purser?"
THAT would be risky, and only post
pone their attack on you. If you received
the map back safely you would without
doubt be robbed of it between Cape Town
and Johannesburg. No; when the boat
reaches Cape Town they must be under the
impression that you are not the bearer"
when am 1 to leave London?"
1.-The Roman leaves the docks tomorrow
and Plymouth on Saturday. Your berth is
booked; Gibson is also a passenger, and
several of his following. But perhaps J
had better explain why this man is SO i'm
Dortant.
ley 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 1884, being then in Johannes
burg-abOut six months ago-and feeIng
the want of a holiday, ! determined TO go
on shooting expedition through the
Transvaal towards the sea. Accompanied
by two Zulus, l carried out my intention,
and after some weeks travelling We found
ourselves in the low country bordering on
Swaziland. Here quite by chance. made
a remarkable discovery. In the dr1ed-up
channel of what had been a river came
upon traces Of diamonds. The find, to my
eyes, was most promising; but before L
could pursue my Investigations further one
of my Zulus, dispatched to get food from
hOt-tOOt with
the news that the Swazis We're up in arms.
Irritated by some act OF Boer oppression
they seemed inclined to Wreak their Venge-
ance on me, and we fled forthwith Tor
our very lives. Before leaving, l drew up
a plan of the place, so that 1t could be
found again.
After various adventures reached Dur
ban, and took ship for England. Meeting
Gibson in London l acquainted him in gen
erai terms with my discovery stating that
in the course of my Journeylng ha4 I'uuu
diamonds. 1 had intended to take him INTO
partnership in this affair, but the hnOWl-
edge which | gained Immediately after
wards that he had swindled me in the mat
ter of some gold mines changed my, pur-
pose, and L broke with him for good.
NOW the value of my find is prOblemat-
teal. Diamonds have not yet been t0Und
il paying quantity in the TranSva2l inns
place may be a second Kimberley ana
shake the De Beers monopoly 1t is quite
possible. Therefore 1 want the ground
pegged out in the usual way, and to regis
ter myself as the owner; but IL GIBSON
could get hold of the map he would fore
stall
myself just now, as l have some important
business in hand; so not to delay obtain
ing the claims, l have ordered Howard TO
peg them out and register in my name, but
he can do nothing until he has the pdT tlcu-
lars contained in this. Now, do you UNDER
stand?"
of your plans?"
lie has found out that I intend send
ing the map Immediately to Joih1ainnesp,urS'
This office is watched; you Will be Shad-
owed on leaving, and when they find that
you are passenger on the Roman they
will conclude that you are my messenger
1t will be your business to nullify that be-
lief
Il see
submanager sent out by me to represent
my interests in johannesburg. Now, can
@ T it4X', that these thieves cannot get n0'o
Il will do my best" I said at length.
Trust no one" concluded my employer,
giving me money for my journey and the
boat ticket. rely on yourself alone. Put
the map in your breast pocket for the pres
you go on board. Goodbye and good luck
My preparations were soon made, and the
following morning found me on board the
Roman. l had reduced my luggage to
as small a compass as possible. 1t con-
sisted of two small portmanteaus, which
would go under my bunk, some wraps and
a few novels, with Lock on GOld,' the
latter obtained from my employer to sus-
and with it's covers incased in gray calico.
| had Joined the ship at the docks to avoid
the crush at Waterloo and to see the mouth
of the Thames There were two other
men in my cabin, for the ship was
full, every berth being taken, but they had
not vet come on board so l arranged my
belongings at leisure, and then went on
deck as we left the dock to smoke and
view the river and the miles Of WharVes
and shipping as we slowly and majestic
allv steamed out to sea. Inc snip was
nearly empty, and / passed quiet twenty
four hours anticipating the coming duel
which was to take place ana wondering II
nv simple scheme would be successful
The nlailbags and passengers came on
board at Plymouth, and a scene OF anima-
ton and confusion followed; but rough
sea and headwind Gained the eXuberance
of many of the company, and the dinner
tables in the saloon that evening showed
an abundance of empty seats. Both my
cabin mates succumbed and l left them
white and grooming. Fortunately | was
good sailor and, having enjoyed my din
ner later in the evening found myself in
the smoking room smoking one of Jim
Gibsons cigars and engaged in chat with
that worthy who was most friendly and
evinced some curiosity about myself.
l told my tale which he accepted with
perhaps suspicious readiness.
EMPLOYED by Tring, are you? Peppery
fellow | know him well. We used to be
friends: now he hates me like poison.
He introduced me to his friends, Spell
man Dunbarton and Nandermit, who sew
orally expressed themselves delighted to
make my acquaintance.
The first two or three days my adVer-
saries only skirmished, tried to pump me-