Williston graphic. (Williston, Williams County, N.D.) 1895-1919, 1897-09-03


Meeting Gibson in London, I acquainted
him in general terms with my dis
stating that in the course of my
journey;ng had found diamonds had
intended to take him into partnership
in this affair, bot the knowledge which
l gained Immediately afterwards that
he had swin@led me in the matter OF
some gold Raines changed my purpose,
and l broke with him for good.
"Now the value of nay find is prob
lematical. Diamonds have not yet been
found in paying quantity in the Trans
vaal. This place may be second Kim
berley, and shake the De Beers 1monopo-
ly. 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 l have some important bust
ness in hand; so not to delay obtaining
the claims, have ordered Howard to
peg them out.and register in my name,
but he can do nothing until he has the
particulars contained in this. Now, do
you underestimate
Eyes; but how far is Gibson cog
infant of your plans?"
''He has found out that intend send
ing the map Immediately to Johannes
burg. This office is watched; you will
be Swallowed on leaving, and when they
find that you are passenger by the
Roman they will conclude that you
are my messenger. 1t will be your bust
ness to nullify that belief"
Il see"
you had better pretend to be Il new
submanager sent out by me to repre-
sent my interests in johannesburg
Now, can you, do you think, conceal the
map in such a way that these thieves
cannot get hold of it?'
sat silent a few moments thinking
over the situation, then my eyes strayed
to some books lying on the table be-
tween us. / took up one. 1t was Lock
on Gold,' standard work.
II will do my BEST said at length
Trust no one," concluded my en-
ployer, giving me money for my jour
ney and the boat ticket. rely on your
self alone. Put the map in your breast
pocket for the present, but find Sc
curer hiding place before you go on
board. Good-by, and good luck to you"
My preparations were soon made,
and the following morning found me
on board the Roman" I had reduced
my luggage to as small compass as
possible. 1t consisted of two small
portmanteaus which would go under
my bunk, some wraps, and few novels.
with Lock on Gold,' the latter OBJ
tanned from my employer to sustain
with it's covers encased in gray calico.
I had joined the ship at the docks to
avoid the crash 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 yet come Oh board,
so arranged my belongings at leis-
| ure, 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 majestically steamed
out to sea. The ship was nearly empty.
and passed quiet "a hours anticipat-
ing the coming duel which was to take
! place, and wondering if the simple
scheme would be successful.
The mailbags and passengers came
on board at Plymouth, and scene of
animation and confusion followed; but
a rough sea and headwind claimed 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 sue
cumbed, and I left them white and
grooming. Fortunately, I was good
sailor; and, having enjoyed my dinner,
later in the evening found myself in
the smoking-room smoking one of Glib
sons cigars, and engaged in a chat with
that worthy, who was most friendly
and evinced some curiosity about my
self.
I told my tale, which he accepted
with perhaps suspicious readiness.
"Employed by Tring, are you? Pep
perry fellow: I know him well. We
used to be friends; now he hates me like
poison
He introduced me to his friends,
Spellman, Dunbarton and Vandermit
who severally expressed themselves de.
lighted to make my acquaintance.
The first two or three days my adj.
versaries only skirmished, trying to
pump me, and dropped broad hints as
to the advantages which would follow
if joined them-hints which ignored
AS, however, they felt pretty sure that
I was the bearer of the coveted map my
portmanteaus and my spare clothes
were searched moro than once when ]
was absent from my ca bin. twas Spell.
man who was toled off for this portion
of the quest; finding I was not very
cordial towards him, he struck up a
friendship with one of my cabin mates
! which gave him an excuse for enterin g
at all hours. I did not think it advisa-
bic to enlighten the latter, as my atti-
tude was TO blandly ignore my adver-
saries' behavior
Spellman's researches proving of no
l., :,