The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1897-08-14

south African millionaire, sent tor me
and. after IRquirIng II / was at liberty
for n few weeks, said that he was about
10 commission nc to take small map
10 his Johannesburg representative
was rather surprised that lie should
30 TO the expense of a special messenger
when the postal service was available
ut seems very simple undertaking"
] said.
But he speedily enlightened me.
"Ah. that's where you are wrong" he
replied. giving me a shrewd glance,
'In this case the post Is not to be trust
ed. and an INSCRIPTIONS enemy VIII
strain every nerve to defeat my inten'
ton"
you anticipate there will be an at
tempt 20 rob me during the Journey
II am quite sure Of 1t. The matter on
tho face OF II is simple enough. This
map Che held up a small piece OF parch-
ment q few square inches in slZe--it ap-
peared TO represent the course OF riv-
or. some red crosses were marked on
one norton and some lines OF writing
ran along the bottom) has to be given
10 Mr.. Howard, OF Fox street, johann
neshurg. There your mission ends. But
whether YOU will be able TO accomplish
this Is another matter Gibson, my old
partner, Ia determined to obtain possess
sion OF this map by some means; he IL
rich, unscrupulous md can command
the services OF men even more unscru-
pulous than himself This Is the reason
j do not trust the post. The corruption
prevalent among all the Boer officials
extends TO the postofilce; my letters
have been opened. He has creatures
there in his employ You must trust no
one and conceal the paper In such
manner that It cannot be found"
But while on board ship 1t would
surely be better 10 entrust II 10 the cap
tain or purser?"
"That would be risky, and only post
pone their attack on you. II you re-
Ceived the map back safely you would
without doubt be robbed Of 1t between
CapetoWR and Johannesburg. No; when
the boat reaches Capetown they must
be under the impression that you are
not the bearer"
When am I to leave London?"
"The Roman leaves the docks td-mor-
row and Plymouth on Saturday Your
berth Is booked: Gibson Is also pas
eenger and several OF his following,
tBut perhaps l had better explain why
this map Is so important,
Gibson, like myself, IL an old KIM
berly man, We both did very well
there, and lately, like me, he has been
dealing In Transyaa. mining property.
We hare often gone partners In various
undertakings In the autumn Of '94, be-
Ing then in hannesburg-about six
months ago-and feeling the want Of a
holiday, determined to go on shoot
ing expedition through the Transvaal
toward the sea. Accompanied by two
Zulus, / carried out my intention, and
after some weeks travelling we found
ourselves in the low country bordering
on Swaziland. Here. quite by chance.
] made remarkable discovery. In tho
dried-up channel of what had been a
river came upon traces of diamonds.
The find. 10 my eyes. was most promIs-
4ng. but before could pursue my inves-
LEGATIONS further one of my Zulus. dis
patched to get food from q neighborlng
kraal. came hot-foot with the news that
the Swazis were up In arms. Irritated
by some act Of Boer oppression. they
seemed inclined to wreak their venge-
ance on me, and SO we fed forthwith for
our lives. Before leaving / drew up a
plan Of the place SO that 1t could be
found again.
After various adventures 1 reached
Durham. and took ship for England.
Meeting Gibson in London, acquaint-
ed him In general terms with my discov-
cry, stating that in the course of my
joprneying had found diamonds. Ihad
intended to take him into partnership
in this affair, but the knowledge which
1 gained Immediately afterward that he
had swindled me In the matter of some
gold mines, changed my purpose, and l
broke with him for good
Nov the value Of my 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 tho Do Beers monop-
oily. It is quite possible. Therefore /
want the ground begged out in the usual
way. and TO register myself as The own
or; but II Gibson could get hold OF the
map he would forestall me. II is not
convenient for me TO go myself Just now.
as have some important business In
hand; 80 not TO delay obtaining the
claims, have ordered Howard 10 peg
them out and register In my name, but
he can do nothing until he has the par.
tIculars contained in this. Now, do you
understand"
Yes; but how far is Gibson cognlzant
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, nnd when they
find that you are passenger by the
Roman they will conclude that you are
my messenger II win be your business
TO nullify that belief"
81 see"
You had better pretend to be new
hub-nanager sent out by me 10 repre-
sent my interests In johannesburg.
Now, can you, do you think. conceal the
map In such way that these thieves
cannot get hold Of III"
II win do my best" said at length,
Trust no one" concluded my employ
or, giving mo money for my Journey
and the boat ticket. rely on yourself
alone. Put the map In your breast pock-
ct for the present. but find securer
hiding place before you go on board.
Goodbye, and good luck to YOU
My preparations were soon made, and
the following morning found ne on
board the Roman. / had reduced my
luggage 10 as small compass as pos.
slblc. II consisted Of two small port.
mant"aus, which would 20 under my
bunk; some wraps and few novels
with Lock on Gold" the latter OBJ.
taiHed from my employer 10 sustain ms
character 90 mining manager. and with
It's covers encased In gray calico. I had
Joined the ship at the dOcka 20 avoid
the crush at Waterloo. and 10 sec thu
mouth Of the Thames. There were twc
other men In my cabin for tho shin wa
fun, every berth being taken, but theJ
had not yet come on board, 80 I ar.
ranged my belongings NJ leisure, nnt
then went on deck NJ we left the dool