Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1897-09-08

Il see"
~You had better pretend to be q new |
sub-manager sent out by me to 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 itr'
Il 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 60 on
board. GoOd-by, and good luck to
you"
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 posi-
BILE. 1t consisted Of two small port
manteaus, which would go under my
bunk. some wraps and a few novels.
with Lock on Gold.' the latter OBJ
tanned from my employer to sustain my
character as a mining manager, and
with its covers incased in gray calico.
l 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 Tot yet 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 majestically steamed out to
sea. The ship was nearly empty and
passed a quiet twenty-four hours an
ticipating the coming duel which was
to take place and wondering If my
simple scheme would be successful.
The mailbags and passengers came
on board at Plymouth and a scene of
animation and confusion followed. but
rough sea and head wind calmed the
eXuberance of many Of the company,
and the dinner tables in the saloon that
evening showed an abundance Of emp
ty seats. Both my cabin mates sue
cumbed and l left them white and
groaning. Fortunately l was a good
sailor, and having enjoyed my dinner,
later in the evening found myself in
the smeking-room smoking one of
"Jim" Gibson's cigars and engaged in a
chat with that worthy, who was most
friendly and evinced some curiosity
about myself.
told my tale which he accepted
with perhaps suspicious readiness.
Employed by Tring, are you? Pep
perry fellow; know him we'll We used
to be friends; now he mates me like poi
SON.
Spellman, Dunbarton and Vandermit,
who severally expressed themselves de-
lighted to make my acquaintance.
The first two or three days my ad-
versaries only skirmished. tried to
pump me. and dropped broad hints as
to the advantages which would follow
if joined them-hints ignored.
AS. however, they felt pretty sure
that l was the bearer Of the coveted
map, my portmanteaus We're searched
more than once, and my spare clothes
when | was absent from my cabin. II
was Spellman who was told off for his
portion of the quest; finding l was not
very cordial toward him he struck up n
friendship for one of my cabin mates,
which gave him an excuse for entering
at all hours. l did not think ii advisa-
BILE to enlighten tie Latter. as my atti-
tude was to blandly ignore my adver-
saries' behavior
Spellman's researches proving of no
avail, the great epdeavor to discover If
I had the paper took place abou: n
week after Madeira was .,assed
was playing in a whist Tournament and
noticed that Dunbarton and Vandermit
were playing nap with the two men
who shared my cabin. / Guessed that
Spellman was making n thorough
search. and as soon As l was al liberty
| hurried there.
1t had indeed been thorough. Every
article had been taken out Of the port
manteaus and examined, and the port
manteaus themselves cut and hacked
In search of a secret hiding place. Ev-
erything had been scrutiniZed, even the
gray calico cover pulled OF "Lock" to
make sure that nothing was between IT
and the binding. Nor was this all, for
while ! surveyed the wreck l became
conscious of an overpowering feeling
of drowsiness and knowledge came to
me that l had been drugged. Too late
remembered having Just accepted n
drink fron Gibson, but l had only
sense enough left to tumble into my
bunk before falling into n heavy sleep.
They no doubt searched me to the
skin that night. for slept as the dead,
but though l woke next morning with e
bad headache felt well pleased for no
result had rewarded their toll. OF
course, l made fuss as to the conduct
Of some mysterious thieves, who had
not even spared the lining Of my boots,
and certain inquiries were Instituted.
which came to nothing 1 innecently
complained to Gibson as to the bad
quality Of his whisky, and there appar-
entity the matter ended, for 1 was mo-
Tested no more.
Gibson continued good friends with
me- and often came and chatted as l
ianguidly studied Lock on Gold" In
my deck chair. AS practical mineral
ogist he pointed out the best parts to
study, and imbibed much informat ton
valuable enough had designed to turn
miner He was an amusing man. his
creed simple enough-"Get money, hon
estly If you can; but get money" A
more efficient auctioneer for selling the
numbers of the ships run in the daily
sweeps II would be impossible to find,
and l enjoyed the privilege of acting
auctioneer's clerk, with Lock for a
desk on my knee.
1t was 4 O'clock ON Tuesday after
noon when we reached Cape Town, and
Gibson managed to get away by that
evenings train, leaving two Of his fol-
lowers to bring his luggage on next
day, when the rest of the passengers